City Council Discuss Housing Development Plans
(Le Mars) — During the Le Mars city council meeting held Tuesday, the council approved the Housing Implementation Plan as prepared for the city by staff members of SIMPCO, or Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council. Kevin Randle helped prepare the report for the city council. He says the plan will be useful for the city for future housing development plans.
The Simpco official says the report was a collaborative and cooperative effort between the city, its residents and businesses, and SIMPCO staffers. He offers some specific details contained within the report.
Randle says the document should benefit the city’s expansion and growth opportunities.
City Council Approves Two Requests For Assistance For Housing
(Le Mars) — Speaking about Le Mars housing, the city council approved two different request for assistance from Prairieland Real Estate and Morrow Lin Properties. The two firms are proposing construction of multi-family housing in Le Mars. Applications will be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for funding through the Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Program.
Developer, Vision Builders To Construct Multi-Family Units
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council also approved Vision Builders, a development firm from Sioux Center, to construct a multi-family housing unit. The firm will construct two and three bedroom units. Development will start this coming autumn of 2017. The multi-family units will be located at 8th Avenue southwest and 11th Street southwest, near the Building Blocks day care center.
City Council Approves K-N-S Third Addition
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s city council meeting, the city leaders also approved the plat and rezoning of the third addition of the K-N-S Addition. The city council changed the designation from rural to residential. 18 lots will be used for affordable housing.
City Council Enters Agreement With Engineering Firm For The Proposed Ply-Wood Recreational Trail
(Le Mars) — In other action by the city council, the city council has approved entering an agreement with McClure Engineering to help with the development of the proposed Ply-Wood Recreational Trail. The Ply-Wood trail would extend from Le Mars to Sioux City and connect with Merrill and Hinton. Michael Washburn of the McClure Engineering firm appeared before the city council. Washburn informed the council members that the McClure Engineering firm has extensive experience in the development of recreational trails.
Supervisors Approve Renovation of Lower Level Entrance For Courthouse
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved action of contracting with the architecture firm I-S-G of Storm Lake to create a proposal to renovate the north lower level entrance of the county courthouse building. The county supervisors approved spending $29,500 for the fees. The remodeling project is expected to begin later this autumn.
Grassley Accuses Veterans Affairs Of Lying To Committee
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley is accusing the Department of Veterans Affairs of lying about the length of time veterans wait for medical appointments at Iowa’s VA hospitals. The Iowa Republican says detailed data provided by a whistleblower shows the VA wasn’t truthful in February when it told the committee he chairs that no patients waited longer than 90 days at Iowa City and Des Moines hospitals. He says in reality thousands were in that category.
World Pork Expo Begins Today
(Des Moines) — Pork producers from around the globe will gather in Des Moines this week for the 29th annual World Pork Expo. The World Pork Expo begins today at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and will continue through Friday. This is the premier event for pork producers. Doug Fricke serves as the Director for the World Pork Expo trade show and says more than 450 different exhibitors will be located at this year’s show.
Fricke says pre-registration indicates more than 20,000 producers and exhibitors will be attending this year’s World Pork Expo. Fricke says in addition to the trade show and seminars, there are several hospitality tents and food can be found at every corner of the fairgrounds. Cindy Cunningham is the Assistant Vice President of Communications for the National Pork Board. She says World Pork Expo serves as an excellent opportunity for pork producers to network and learn from other pork producers. She says many producers will want to attend the Pork Academey.
World Pork Expo is known for having great bar-b-que, and this year is no different. From the Big Grill to all the hospitality tents, you are certain to have enjoyable and tasty bar-b-qued pork. Cunningham says the National Pork Board will be offering different pork dishes found around the world.
Some of the key issues to be discussed at this year’s World Pork Expo include: economics. But also, pork exports will be a topic of interest. U-S pork producers are always trying to expand the international market trade. Right now, 25 percent of all U-S pork is exported to foreign nations.
