Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, January 6th

Wednesday Afternoon News, January 6th

Northwest Bank Honored By Small Business Administration

(Le Mars) — Northwest Bank is recognized for their economic contributions and efforts with helping small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Iowa District Office has awarded Northwest Bank with the Impact Award.

Jayne Armstrong, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration, commented, “Northwest Bank played a major role in saving a lot of local small businesses and non-profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it is more than
the borrowers. It is about our communities and the employees and families that rely on these small businesses and non-profits for their livelihoods. We are honored to recognize Northwest Bank for their hard work and commitment during these trying times.”

Kevin Eekhoff serves as the Le Mars branch president for Northwest Bank and says Northwest was recognized as being the second largest producers of PPP loans through out the state of Iowa.

Eekhoff says several local small businesses were assisted with the loan program.

Eekhoff says the loans were only at a one-percent interest, with many being a forgiveable loan. The local bank official says because of the PPP loans, Northwest Bank was able to expand its marketshare and pick up some new and additional customers.

The Northwest Bank official says with the second COVID relief bill being passed by Congress and signed by President Trump, there is yet another opportunity for small businesses to again take advantage of the program that is being made available.

Eekhoff says there is one change to the new PPP program that should prove to be beneficial for some small businesses that received the initial loan.

Northwest Bank is a $2.0 billion community bank that offers a full line of business, agriculture, mortgage, consumer deposit and lending services as well as wealth management services. Northwest Bank has offices located in Algona, Ames, Ankeny, Arnolds Park, Estherville, Fort Dodge, Humboldt, Le Mars,
Milford, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Spencer, Spirit Lake, West Des Moines and Omaha and La Vista, NE.

 

 

 

Orange City Man Arrested Following Traffic Stop

(Orange City) — The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Orange City man Tuesday evening during a traffic stop in Granville.  The sheriff’s deputy determined 31-year old Geoffrey Oolman of Orange City was driving while barred.  The deputy then discovered paraphernalia in his possession.  Oolman was transported to the Sioux County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a barred driver’s license, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Bond has not been set.

 

 

 

Le Mars Building Construction Was Down In 2020

(Le Mars) — Le Mars city council members heard a report from city building and code enforcement officer, Greg Smidt regarding the construction of homes and commercial properties during 2020. Smidt informed the council, the number of building permits were down this past year compared to previous years.
Smidt says COVID-19 virus may be partially to blame for the downturn.

Smidt says multiple-housing units were also down in 2020 compared to 2019.
As for commercial development, Smidt says many of the structures that were constructed are long-term storage facilities.

The city’s building and code enforcement officer says a major commercial development is the new Kwik-Star convenience store, currently under construction where the old Le Mars Truck Stop had been located. Smidt reviewed the statistics for the city’s income revenue from the issuing of building permits.

Residential fees amounted to $33,923 in 2020, and the residential construction value was listed at $5,300,000 compared to the $8.368 million from 2019.
Commercial fees was slightly above $17,000 in 2020 and the commercial value was just below $5 million dollars at $4,960,000.