HOW WE DID IT:
Through the cooperation of Alliant Energy we were able to find energy savings of 542,700 KWH by doing a lighting retrofit of our manufacturing plant.

HOW WE GOT THE IDEA:
We started by having Alliant Energy do a Level II Energy Audit of our facility.  This audit is free of charge and allowed us to find energy savings within our plant.  We then discovered that lighting was our strongest option and then brought in Energyficient Lighting Systems who did a full facility audit for lighting.

OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE:
Working with Alliant Energy and their rebate programs, we had to convince the corporate office that this was a solid plan and one in which we would be saving money and it had the quick pay back that corporate was looking for.

HOW WE OVERCAME IT:
It was a collaborative effort by Tama Paperboard, Energyficient Lighting and Alliant Energy that we were able to show the savings and quick payback that this project improved our working conditions and was a huge energy savings.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:
The Level II Energy Audit that Alliant Energy offers is a wonderful tool, which we used to study our energy usage and how we could make cuts and improvements which saved our bottom line.

WHAT IS NEXT:
This project was such a success we are studying our outside lighting and how we can find savings in this area.

For more information about Tama Paper Board, to go their website at www.caraustar.com.  For more information about Alliant Energy, go to their website at www.alliantenergy.com.

HOW WE DID IT:
Completion of the Tama-Toledo By-Pass was the next step in completing the four-lane U.S. 30 across Iowa to the East. Congressman Boswell was the key to accomplishing the project.

HOW WE GOT THE IDEA:
The gap needed to be filled as the Iowa DOT work to four-lane US 30 across Iowa.

OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE:
Elected officials (local officials) who first needed to support the project and then second needed to work together to accomplish the project. They also needed to understand how this fit into the bigger picture of being a critical and central hub in a much bigger transportation network that was underdeveloped from its economic potential.

HOW WE OVERCAME IT:
Many meetings discussing the pro’s and con’s of the issues. Willingness to listen and respect all involved with coming up with the best possible solutions.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:
Be sure to involve all citizens in the community in the project. Make citizens aware in advance of changes they need to make to promote the community after the project is completed.

WHAT IS NEXT:
Completion of the project from US 218 to East of Tama. This will complete the road from Ogden to Cedar Rapids a distance of 125 miles of four-lane. Also join us for Hwy 30 Day at the Capital in Des Moines Wed. February 22, 2012.

Pictured: (left to right) Travis Mullen (City of Toledo Councilman), Nancy Burke (City of Toledo Attorney), Pam Wood (Past Mayor of Toledo), Lance Horbach (State Representative), (Senator Chuck Grassley Liaison), Edith Pheffer (President of Iowa Hwy 30 Coalition).

ANNUAL GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
Sat. January 28, 2012
10 – 11 a.m.
Reinig Toledo Center
1007 Prospect Drive, Toledo Iowa
There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP to joanne@tamacountyiowa.org or (319) 429-5587 to confirm we have a seat and a packet saved for you.

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. And in spite of all this we triumphed.

We increased our average county wage to a record high, started a record high number of our own home grown new companies, opened and expanded manufacturing plants, increased taxable sales double digits, have one of the lowest unemployment in the US. I am especially proud of all the new partnerships that has been built for the foundation of more future successes that many could not even imagine as possibilities 5 years ago. As we sit here today we have over $812 million seriously vested major capital investment projects in various stages of development. At least $111 million got a green light to start over the next 12 months. All this plus over a million dollars in directly facilitated investments through grants, and fundraising in exchange for local investment of a few hundred thousand.

I hope you share in the pride that our last five years together produced a tremendous return on investment, and that you continue the momentum moving forward without me as your Executive Director. February 29, 2012 will be my last work day.

My very best,

Lindi Roelofse, MBA, HDFP, EDI
Professional Economic Developer

HOW WE DID IT:
Due to the loyalty of our clients, H&R Block in Tama had outgrown its current office.  We realized that the physical office & technology needed to be brought up to date so that we could offer our clients the most up to date tax experience in the industry.  With a dream and lots of sweat equity, good friends, and awesome local vendors, we were able to transform a building that had been vacant for a very long time into a facility that holds 7 offices, a training room, large restroom, large waiting area, and my favorite . . . our large parking lot!

HOW WE GOT THE IDEA:
When reviewing the purchase of the H&R block business in 2010 (business statistics and growth) there was no doubt the business had outgrown its current office and for us to reach out to the community and fulfill local business needs with payroll, bookkeeping and tax services, we needed a Business Services Department and a professional office in which to serve our clients.  The decision to find an empty building and design/build out to suit the H&R Block business needs was made prior to the purchase of the business in November 2010.

OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE:
Time – Budget – Design were our greatest challenges.  Taking this empty sad building and transforming it into a facility that would customize itself to our industry and clients. Time is something Mark and I worked on together, not an easy task keeping contractors and ourselves on the same project in order to be productive and in a timely fashion.  Budget – what is that?  Design – Mark is an awesome designer and was able to incorporate everything on my wish list, make it happen, and affordable.

HOW WE OVERCAME IT:
Faith and Determination.  More sweat equity than we thought we were capable of.  Most of all we were blessed to have friends, acquaintances, and local vendors that did not hesitate to just get in and get the job done.  We owe many thanks to Thomas & Company, Tama Spahn & Rose, Araiza Dry Walling, Tama Handyman, B&H Supply and our awesome staff.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:
Dream, plan, execute.  Don’t forget to listen to those who have gone before you.

WHAT IS NEXT:
Plans for the future – YES!  We would like to partner with local agencies and offer Small Business Seminars for business owners and/or new start ups, all business owners need to know what their legal responsibilities are in recordkeeping for their books, taxes and payroll.  We want to make this informative and simple for local businesses.  We also have a dream to reach out in the community and start with Junior High students, teaching them the basic fundamentals of saving money, investing money, and teaching them what personal income taxes are.

For more information on H & R Block, go to their website at www.hrblock.com and listen to their interview on Radio Z95.5 FM on Monday, January 23, 2012, at 8:45 a.m.

HOW WE DID IT:
The Dysart Historical Society completed the third phase of the Historical Center with the addition of an Agricultural Museum and Interpretive Center in 2011.  It complements the 118 year old historical museum and the Tama County rural school on the site at 612 Crisman Street. It enhances the Society’s mission which is: “to insure the preservation and appreciation of the community’s historical, agricultural, and educational heritage and culture, thereby providing a solid foundation for the future.” 

HOW WE GOT THE IDEA:
The Dysart Historical Society had received many agriculturally related artifacts over the years and had run out of space to display them.  We really needed another building.  When the opportunity arose to apply for Iowa Great Places status and funding, we seized the opportunity and became part of the Tama County effort.

OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE:
The greatest challenge was obtaining enough funding for the agricultural museum building project.

HOW WE OVERCAME IT:
We applied for grants, sent out letters to our members and other community members, and had fund raisers.  We have had a number of grants, generous support from our City and community organizations, contributions from some businesses, both local and farm residents and from  friends near and far.

ADVICE TO OTHERS:
Dare to dream big with a shared vision.  Be sure committees are active, positive, enthusiastic, and ambitious.  Be certain to have a person on the committee with practical financial knowledge and experience.  Brainstorm and welcome all new ideas for consideration.

WHAT IS NEXT:
The Historical Society has a small amount of debt which we need to take care of, our first financial goal.  Next, we want to expand and improve our museum displays and develop interesting programs for members of our community
as well as for the visitors, all of whom are coming to the Historical Center in increasing numbers.

For more information on the Dysart Historical Society, go to their webpage and listen to their radio interview on Radio Z95.5 FM on Friday, January 20 at 8:45 a.m.

Pictured above are Carmen Erhardt of Vinyl Concepts in Traer, former mayor Dennis Wieben, and Paul Wieck. 

How we did it:
A consultant that does a significant amount of work with wind energy was contacted and asked to provide information regarding the wind speeds and frequencies in our part of the world. We determined there were sufficient wind resources to support the feasibility of a local turbine and began investigating methods to make it happen.

How we got the idea:
In late 2006 after our wholesale energy prices spiked we determined that alternative energy sources needed to be investigated to help us control future energy costs. During the same time period there was talk of Iowa legislators considering a renewable energy portfolio for all Iowa utilities. It was obvious that ownership of a wind resource could address both issues.

Our greatest challenge:
The biggest challenge we faced was financing such a large undertaking. The financial feasibility and effect on rates, if we went into the project alone, would have been negative. Because Traer Municipal Utilities doesn’t qualify for incentives and tax credits that allow ownership of this type of project make sense, we knew we were going to have to partner with the private sector to accomplish our goals.

How we overcame it:
We first considered attempting to form a group of investors locally that would have an interest in financing the project and gaining advantage of the incentives and credits. While we were working on developing this type of ownership plan we learned of a group, Norsemen Wind Energy L.L.C., that was already established and actively participating in these types of projects. We met with Norsemen and shared our ideas of municipal ownership. After several discussions we settled on an arrangement where Norsemen would construct and take ownership of the project for the first six years at which point ownership would be transferred to Traer Municipal Utilities. Initial ownership of the turbine allowed them to utilize available incentives, tax credits and other business deductions. Traer Municipal Utilities also realized a financial gain in that we were able to obtain ownership of the turbine at a price of about 1/3 of the installed cost. This is a true WIN – WIN situation for both parties.

Advice to others:
Keep your eyes, ears and especially your mind open to discovering unique opportunities. As has been said in many ways; think outside the box or envelope or whatever other cliché you might care to apply.

What is next:
TMU has partnered with FCTC of Dysart to obtain bandwidth for our internet system. This arrangement has allowed us to greatly increase our broadband capabilities and will immensely exceed our previous capabilities. Due to this increased capacity we will be able to offer our customers greater bandwidth. Shortly after the first of the year we will be announcing a new line up of available internet packages with increased speed and very competitive pricing.

In nonprofit accounting we have at least moved closer to solutions by plugging in-kind services into grant applications and reports. At present time we view the average volunteer’s hour of service around $16 in Tama County, Iowa (adjusted higher if a professional service is performed at their market rate). Sometimes in-kind products and services can be even more valuable than cash because of the local expertise, trust and long-term equity that is built with it. But there is also another benefit: when you spend an hour with someone who has a different framework of the world than you, (and you collaborate in a respectful and constructive way) both parties learn from each other and develop a relationship. This process of capacity building that strengthens the community around mutually agreed on objectives is thus in itself also a free “continuing education system”.

And so Tama County Diversity Alliance has recognized an economic and community development need to introduce a community TimeBank. The premise here is that every person in our community can add value no matter their background, age, education level, nationality, race, etc. Maybe you know how to weatherize a basement, while your benefactor can help with tax filings, while that benefactor can carve traditional Native American game pieces out of wood, and beyond. You have talents, and others have needs or interests. And when we can link up people at the right time to benefit from each other our community can be richer for it.

Join us Thu. Jan 19, 2012 at 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the Reinig Toledo Center for our first TimeBank training so you too can add value to our economy outside of the traditional market while at the same time strengthening how people relate to each other from different walks of life. We especially encourage our nonprofits and governments to help get the ball rolling. There is no cost. Everyone is very welcome. Please RSVP tojoanne@tamacountyiowa.org(641) 484-3108.

To see this original story and more in a web friendly flip through format, click here. Other Tama County Winter News 2011 updates include:

• Economic Outlook for 2012
• See the full list of 2011 EDIE nominees PLUS a synopsis of their undertakings Vote online for your favorite stories
• Updates from Tama County Economic Development’s numerous subsidiaries
• Calendar of upcoming events
• …and more…

If you would like to be on our email list for quarterly news updates please touch base. You can also follow us daily on facebook, twitter or the RSS feed from this blog.

How we did it:
We found a great interest in the community and surrounding area for an organic certified meat locker was our greatest success and surprises from trying for the Dream In Iowa Grant.

How we got the idea:
We were approached by an area farmer if we would be interested in becoming organic  certified with the State of Iowa. They had started raising organic beef and wanted to to be able to sell their processed meat as certified organic. With their help we learned that as of press there is not a state certified meat locker in Iowa.  After trying for the Dream Big Grow Here grant we learned that there is a growing interest in the community for organic meat. This would bring a new cliental to the City of Dysart for the other area businesses.

Our greatest challenge:
The state requirements to update and ad new equipment to our building.

How we overcame it:
We are still working on securing financing for the necessary updates.

Advice to others:
To look at every challenge as an opportunity to find a new avenue to achieve your end goal.

What’s Next:
Van’s Meat Locker is having a special open house on Tue. March 13, 2012, 7 p.m. This is a part of the Tama County Business Chrysalis behind-the-scenes series that happens every three months so businesses in Tama County can learn from and support each other. Everyone is welcome. There is no cost. If you are interested in attending, please contact joanne@tamacountyiowa.org or (641) 484-3108.

For more information about Van’s Meat Locker listen to their radio interview on 1230AM KFJB Radio, at 12:45 p.m. January 16, 2012.

How we did it:
The mission of Serious Sanitation is to maintain and provide dependable sanitary services to the community of Dysart with a personal connection.

How we got the idea:
The opportunity arose to take over the sanitation duties when Dysart announced they would be terminating the garbage services. We liked the idea of taking on new responsibilities beyond our trucking business and keeping the service local.

Our greatest challenge:
Our greatest challenge so far has been the initial bid proposal; estimating the start up and operating costs. This business has additional insurance which can be expensive as well as other overhead costs to consider. Also, learning the route was a challenge at first. It was important to us to maintain the regular route, and the former city employees were a great help in helping use achieve this goal.

How we overcame it:
We consulted with our banker, insurance carrier, and others with expertise in the business to prepare a viable business plan and bid proposal to the city. We adapted our business plan to meet the needs of our community as well as to sustain the operation.

Advice to others:
Don’t be afraid to try something new. We had never anticipated that we would be owners of a garbage service when the opportunity arose. We knew we had the skills to run a successful business but lacked some knowledge. Use every resource available to you to gather information. We started with Tama County Economic Development and relied on friends and other contacts in the business community to develop a plan and critique our ideas. Regardless of the outcome of the bid proposal to the City of Dysart, we gained a lot of valuable information and experience in our efforts to obtain this business.

What is next:
We are looking to expand into a rural route as well as in other communities. We already have started providing service to some rural customers. We feel one benefit to our rural customers is the availability of dumpster rentals. We would also like to look into education and expansion of the curb side recycling program.

For more information on Serious Sanitation, listen to their radio interview on Z95.5 FM on January 13, 2012, at 8:45 a.m.