The EDIES ”E.D.ies” stand for Economic Development awards, and are designed to celebrate and highlight innovation. These awards feature undertakings by businesses, nonprofits, property owners, workforce, educational institutions, and governments of Tama County who implemented innovative solutions to real world problems in 2011. The Tama County Economic Development Commission recognizes these progressive movements through its EDIE Awards. Last [...]
2011 EDIES Story 24 of 24: Response to the once in a 1,000 Year Wind Storm
On July 11, 2011 around 4 am Tama County was hit by a straight-line wind that measured forces up to 130 miles per hour before meteorological towers disintegrated. Not a single human life was lost, but $100+ million in lost productivity was suffered through the loss of animals, buildings, infrastructure, crops, and other protective vegetation. [...]
2011 EDIES Story 23 of 24: Groundbreaking Utilities Partnership Still Tastes Great in Lincoln
In 1991 it was not common for small towns to also have sewer service. But the Lincoln civic leaders all changed that when it was the first town to work with Central Iowa Water Association and the city of Gladbrook to make this a reality of its citizens. Now 20 years later these types of [...]
2011 EDIES Story 22 of 24: Many Hands Make Emergency Generator Work in Garwin
What can a community achieve if you bring together a teacher, a librarian, an electrician, a councilman, a retired businessman to make a community a better place? Alone each of these talents can do great things, but combine their talents and skills and you get a low cost generator solution at the Garwin Community Center [...]
Tama County’s American Idols: which 2011 stories inspire you?
Share with us which of our 24 EDIE nominees’ stories from 2011 are your favorites. Every 2-3 days in January and February we unveil the details behind another one of the 2011 nominees. And now that we have reached the way mark the lines are open to start voting. Partners who are financially invested in Tama County [...]
Foundation Update: Up to $93K available in county grants. Grant writing workshop, Jan. 28. Grant deadline, March15
Over the past five years the Tama County Community Foundation has invested over half a million dollars into betterment of our community, and leveraged those dollars to bring in millions more. In 2012 our Foundation will once again invest between $86,532.88 and $92,619 into nonprofits, governments and schools serving Tama County with a plan of strengthening our [...]
Executive Director moves forward
Dear Tama County Stakeholders and friends: Just like Tama County Economic Development’s first economic developer dedicated about five years to Tama County, I have also committed half decade in service to you. We stood together through challenges, natural and man made disasters. Together we have survived floods, winter storms, straightline wind storms, through manufacturing plant closings, a national recession. [...]
U.S. Highway 30 Update: At last! Leaders are starting to agree on long-term solutions for transportation in Iowa
The present two-lane portions of U.S. Highway 30 are the most dangerous of any two-lane segments in Iowa. For the past 5+ years the Iowa U.S. Highway 30 Coalition has been working with the Iowa Department of Transportation, Federal and State Legislators, Council of Governments and Local Government as well as industry and residents to pull together resources to improve this in [...]
Diversity Update: Tama County Cultural Diversity Festival planned for May 4 & 5, 2012
“In embracing the diversity of human beings, we will find a surer way to true happiness” Malcolm Gladwell, 2004 When it comes to economic productivity and community prosperity, we know that there is not one approach that is right for everyone. People are different. They enjoy different things. They even define success differently. And in understanding and optimizing [...]


