LBIC AGREEMENT
The city of Le Mars will enter into an agreement with Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation to purchase two parcels of property for future development. City Development Director Mark Gaul explained to the council this arrangement for land development, replacing the old structure under which the LBIC formerly did business. Under this arrangement, LBIC will secure financing for property through local banks, and the city would provide interest payments on those projects. LBIC will create infrastructure on those properties and sell them to potential developers. The two parcels LBIC will purchase are 4.2 acres adjacent to north Business 75, owned by Erdmann Enterpricses, LLC; and 2.8 acres between Holton Drive and Business 75, owned by Randall De Young. Combined interest payments on these properties will total 77-thousand dollars per year.
PROCUREMENT POLICY
The Supervisors approved an amended procurement policy to meet qualifications for their recently applied for hazardous materials grant. County Emeregency Services Director Rebecca Sacknat says state officials responded to their application by notifying them their procurement policy must be brought up to date, The amendment endorses a “buy American” approach in their purchasing habits.
ROAD CLOSED
The Board approved vacation of a half-mile portion of Talbot Road, adjacent to the Stone State Park. The road has been used as a local shortcut from east of the park to Iowa Highway 12 to the west. Residents are concerned about the high level of traffic along the road. Under this street vacation, the stretch in question will be used as a firebreak and emergency access, but will barricaded and gated to turn back vehicle traffic.
FEENSTRA RESPONSE
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra criticized President Biden’s State of the Union address. The Hull Republican says the President failed to mention China’s reckless purchase of American farmland and Mexico’s assault on Iowa corn growers. Instead, Feenstra said the president doubled down on his agenda and his policies. He cited the nation’s 31 trillion dollar debt, and inflation that is hitting families and farmers hard. Feenstra says the president’s record speaks to the failure of his policies and his agenda, and his disregard for rural America.
RISE GRANT
Plymouth County will apply for an Iowa DOT RISE Grant to help pave a road to a proposed digester project south of Le Mars. The road would extend a half mile along 240th St, west of county road K-49. The digester would be located at the site of Plymouth Dairy, and it would produce renewable natural gas. The resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday cites that the RISE grant will help deal with the additional truck traffic that will be part of the project. The grant would pay for up to 50% of the project cost. The Board of Supervisors will secure additional funding for the project, and will maintain the completed project for up to 20 years once its completed.
WATER MAIN AND BUDGET REQUEST
The Le Mars city council awarded a contract for a water main replacement project along Plymouth Street. Four bids were received for the project. The low bid came from SuBSurfco, LLC, of Sioux City, at just under 260-thousand dollars. The bid was 8-thousand dollars below the estimate. The project will be paid for through American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The Le Mars City Council received a recommendation concerning support of city events, and the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau, in the next fiscal year. They are asking for 37-thousand dollars to help cover events like the Christmas Wonderland at the county fairgrounds; Ice Cream Days, Engage Le Mars; and the Plymouth County Cyclists’ “Tour de Plymouth”. They also asked for 85-thousand dollars to support the Bureau’s operations in the next fiscal year, for a total of 122-thousand dollars. This will be part of budget considerations by the city council.
REMSEN GROCERY OPEN
Remsen’s new grocery recently held its grand opening. This was the result of months of recruiting and fundraising by the community, and it’s economic development organization. Jeff’s Foods, based in Marcus, agreed to expand into Remsen last fall, and opened for business on November 12 of last year. The grocery is managed by Jack Reuter.
Reuter says Jeff’s Foods’ focus is on customer service.
Reuter, manager of Jeff’s Foods in Remsen, has experience in retail and grocery.
Jack realizes the essential role the grocery plays in the community.
Reuter says customer service is key. That includes taking suggestions, and adding products requested by custmers. That leads to a continuing variety of products on their shelves.
Barb, Amy, and Mike Mittelstadt are the owners of Jeff’s Foods.
Remsen Economic Development led the effort to recruit the grocer. Remsen businesses, organizations, and families, all contributed to support the opening of the new grocery.
Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham helped celebrate the Grand Opening last month.
NUSTAR PERMIT RENEWAL
NuStar Pipeline company has filed a petition with the state Utilities Board to renew the permit on the company’s pipeline through northwest Iowa. The line carries gasoline and similar products through a line extending from Yankton, South Dakota, along the Plymouth/Sioux County line, to a depot just east of Struble, then northeast through O’Brien and Clay counties, Terminating at Milford, in Dickinson County. Objections to the renewal can be filed by letter or electronically to the Utilities Board no later than March 6.
HOUSE APPROVES K-12 SUPPORT
The Iowa House has sent the governor a plan to provide Iowa’s public K-through-12 schools three percent more in general state support for the next academic year. Republican Representative Craig Johnson of Independence says it’s a nearly 107 million dollar increase and that’s a good news story for educators and Iowa families. The plan cleared the Republican-led Senate
Thursday. Democrats say public schools are dealing with escalating costs and this level of funding will result in cuts to staff and programs. House Speaker Pat Grassley says Republicans have agreed to spend three-point-seven BILLION dollars on school districts next year and 45 percent of the entire state budget will be spent on public education.
