This Week in the Corridor

Iowa Lakes Regional Water awarded HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Award

Iowa Lakes Regional Water was one of five Iowa businesses that received a Medallion award, and one of three that were awarded the Platinum Medallion from the HIRE Vets Medallion program.

The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Act was signed into law in May 2017. The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers the Medallion Program to recognize employers’ efforts to recruit, employ and retain veterans.

At the beginning of the year, Iowa Lakes Regional Water completed an extensive application about their recruitment process and resources for veteran employees. Requirements for a Platinum Award for small businesses under 50 employees include 10% of new hires who are veterans or 85% of veteran employees retained and 10% veteran percentage as well as at least two veteran integration assistance programs.

Iowa Lakes Regional Water included information in their application about utilizing the Home Base Iowa program to hire veterans as well as the workshops and training that they provide to their employees. The company is working to step up the emphasis on the employees and empowering them to make decisions and improve the company.

Speaker Joseph Coffey facilitated Wednesday's Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Military Members & their Families presented by Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and co-hosted by the Iowa Lakes Corridor and Clay County Veterans Affairs. The 8-hour training taught participants how to help someone who is developing or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Featured Real Estate

Site: Boji Business Park

Commercial, Office

Location: 1003 23rd St.

Milford, IA 51351

Up to 12,000 sq ft available

Lease Rate: $10/sq ft

For more information visit the Corridor website!

News to Know

Abben Cancer Center announces major technology upgrade

The Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital is preparing for an upgrade in their radiation oncology technology. This new technology will provide greater treatment options for patients.

Read more about the renovations.

Iowa Superintendent of the Year praises BVU access

Joel Pedersen was named the 2020 Iowa Superintendent of the Year from the School Administrators of Iowa in October. The BVU alum praises the university for giving accessible options for secondary education. After two years at Indian Hills Community College, Pedersen transferred to BVU's Ottumwa site. His first student-teaching placement in a Kindergarten classroom at Davis County helped him understand his call to be a teacher.

Learn more about this year's Superintendent of the Year.

Maggie in her glory: Accura tour highlights local employment integration

As part of the "Take your Legislator to Work" statewide campaign to advocate for the integration of people with disabilities in Iowa workplaces, Maggie Bramhall, a Spirit Lake High School Junior, led Sen. Zach Whiting on a tour of Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake. Back in Spirit Lake's May-term curriculum, Bramhall began her work at Accura Healthcare and she has worked in a few different roles since then, the most recent bringing personal interaction to residents on a one-on-one basis.

Read more about Bramhall's experience and about the "Take your Legislator to Work" campaign.

Investor Spotlight

Each week we want to feature and thank the businesses and individuals that have committed to economic development and growth in our communities. To learn more about these investors and others, visit our Business Directory!

The State Bank

Sector: Financial & Insurance Services

Location: Spirit Lake

Description: The State Bank is proud to be an Iowa Independent Bank, owned and operated by local people whose concerns and interest are in seeing our community grow and prosper.

Tyson Foods, Inc.

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Storm Lake

Description: Tyson Foods, Inc. is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, as well as prepared foods. The company provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries.