This Week in the Corridor
BEST of Iowa Results
FY 2017-2020
Business Expansion & Strategic Trends (BEST) of Iowa is a business retention and expansion program. The program is a collaborative effort between local economic developers, MidAmerican Energy, Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, Iowa Area Development Group, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Corridor Business Retention and Workforce Partnership Coordinator Joanne Follon conducts multiple interviews each year to identify growth opportunities or potential issues that could lead to business downsizing or closure. The data collected is aggregated and analyzed to show local and statewide trends in a confidential manner.

From FY 2017 to FY 2020, Follon conducted 81 interviews with businesses in our region. From those interviews, the Corridor identified strengths, weaknesses, and barriers to growth in our region. See the graphics below to find out more information about the results from FY 2017-FY 2020 BEST interviews.

Note: These statistics all come from interviews completed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Featured Real Estate
Commercial Opportunities
Location: 422 First Avenue East
Spencer, IA 51301
8,200 sq. ft.

Sale Price: $325,000

For more information visit the Corridor website!
Location: 331 11th Street
Spencer, IA 51301
3,306 sq.ft.

Sale Price: $250,000

For more information visit the Corridor website!
Around the Corridor
Seasons Center awarded COVID-19 relief grant to help individuals and families through pandemic

The Season's Center for Behavioral Health was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Emmet County COVID-19 Response Fund to support those in the community struggling during the pandemic.

Read more about the grant.
Milford appliance store sold

Okoboji Wholesale in Okoboji has purchased Melander's Appliance and TV in Milford. The inventory from Melander's in Milford is being transferred to Okoboji Wholesale in Okoboji.

Learn more about the acquisition.
Dale Carnegie Course - Skills for Success

Who should attend: Professionals at all levels who wish to optimize their
                                      performance, lead with conviction and positively
                                      affect the bottom line.

Location: Historic Roof Garden in Arnolds Park, IA

Date: October 7th, 2020 (runs 8 consecutive Wednesdays)

Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm OR 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm (have divided this into 2 session so we can practice social distancing to keep participants safe)

Cost: $1,995 per participant includes all materials

Contact: Michaela Tamisiea
               Dale Carnegie Strategic Consultant
               Michaela.tamisiea@dalecarnegie.com
               319.331.2620


Learn more about the course.
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!
Sector: Agricultural Services
Location: Spencer
Description: When it comes to premium fuel, MaxYield offers the best. A vast array of fuels is provided to meet your needs and help keep today's high-performance engines in tip-top condition.
Mediacom
Sector: Communications & Utilities
Location: Okoboji
Description: Mediacom services over 1,500 communities throughout the country. While most coverage is in America's smaller cities and towns, they believe customers deserve the same level of digital services that people receive in major metropolitan areas. They've invested millions of dollars to build a nationwide fiber optic infrastructure to deliver a wide array of advanced products and services including digital cable TV, high-speed internet and phone service.
Jobs in the Iowa Lakes Corridor
Post your jobs where quality candidates are already looking: lakescorridor.com

See current job openings here.
vacancy_sign_desk.jpg
Job Title
Direct Support Professional
Public Health & Homecare
Administrator
Employer
Hope Haven
Buena Vista County
Date
8/27/2020
8/28/2020
Questions? Want to be featured in next week's newsletter?
Contact the Iowa Lakes Corridor at info@lakescorridor.com,
or call us at 712.264.3474.