Slow progress is still progress.

The Corridor's resources campaign, Partnership, Progress, Prosperity: FY 2021-2025, got off to a ribbing start in the spring, thanks to the hard work of Co-Chairs Doug Benjamin, Northwest Bank; Rick Olesen, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative; and John Tatman, Demco Products, and the expert guidance of consulting firm Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.

Then a certain illness reared its crowned head - you may have heard about it in the news - and the campaign took a 90-day sabbatical.

The team is back on the trail again and enthusiasm among investors for the Corridor's five-year plan remains strong.

To get a full understanding of that plan, check out our Case for Investment. And a big, big thank you to all the investors listed below who have committed their resources to ensure that professional, results-driven economic development is available in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties. If you would like to learn more about becoming an investor in the Corridor, please contact Kiley Miller (712.264.3474, kmiller@lakescorridor.com).

Tyson Foods will be investing $150,000 for housing initiatives in Storm Lake from tax credits for the $37 million feed mill. The funds will go toward housing initiatives over the next three years in Storm Lake through a collaborative program between Tyson, the City of Storm Lake and the Iowa Lakes Corridor Initiative.

Learn more about the funding.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) recently announced a new e-commerce platform to give retailers a place to showcase their businesses & products. The platform is Shop Iowa and can be found at ShopIowa.com.

Retailers can learn more and register to sell at ShopIowa.com/Sell.

Five new communities have been selected to receive a 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! grant in the expansion of this year's grant distribution. This health initiative focuses on healthy practices throughout multiple community sectors, including schools, child care, community and health care.

Read more about the grant.

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University has released business resources to assist with COVID-19 recovery. Resources include checklists, recorded content from roundtables, webinars and more.

Check out the CIRAS resource page.

Vermeer Glass recently moved into the former Way Station building at 302 Grand Avenue in Spencer. The glass company is the recipient of a $25,000 Retail Kickstarter grant. Plans for the business is to be open and running by Christmas time.

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: Business Services/Other

Location: Arnolds Park

Description: The purpose of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote the business, civic, tourism and agricultural interests of our members and area residents, and to further the development and protection of all our resources. Chamber personnel are involved in community betterment by actively serving in several local, regional and state organizations.

Sector: Business Services/Other

Location: Estherville

Description: Located in the picturesque Iowa Great Lakes Region, Iowa Lakes offers several locations throughout a five-county service area: Algona, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Spencer and Spirit Lake. You can also choose college transfer, career option, technical or vocational courses, one class at a time, or continuing education classes.

Truck Driver

Solid Waste Operator

Job Fair

Planning Director

Loan Specialist

MaxYield Cooperative

City of Spencer

Pure Fishing

City of Spencer

USDA

7/31/2020

8/4/2020

8/9/2020

8/5/2020

8/6/2020