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  • Evansdale library projects vie for city support tonight
    Mar 9, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Developers also have extended a long-term lease option. At this juncture, the city has not committed money for a new library. If the grant is awarded and accepted, then city funds will need to be obligated. Jensen and library board President Gary Hansen said it's time that happens. A Community Builder Plan in 1992 said space was "insufficient." Evansdale resident Paul Penning hopes a new library is built.
  • Judge denies accused meth-maker's request to have bail lowered
    Mar 9, 2010 — The Hawk Eye
    Bass, "there is motivation" for fleeing. James Beres, an assistant public defender tasked by the court to represent Bass, presented Jeanie Bass, the man's mother, who testified her son can live with her while his case is pending. According to Jeanie Bass, Jeremiah Bass had odd jobs and has served the United States Army and at one time was deployed to Iraq. Jeremiah Bass recently worked as a bouncer at a club in Gulfport, Ill. Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force...
  • Man placed on probation for drug charge
    Mar 9, 2010 — The Hawk Eye
    No. 1, the known address of Williams, on Sept. 22. In the kitchen, agents said they found and seized a small bag of marijuana. A further search of the kitchen yielded more than 100 grams of marijuana inside one of the cabinets, police said. A digital scale and some packaging materials also were seized.
  • Plant closure shocks Winthrop
    Mar 9, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Nearly 400 jobs were lost between the two facilities. Tyson recently re-opened its building in Independence to manufacture pet food.
  • Supervisors discuss building, unemployment
    Mar 5, 2010 — Pella Chronicle
    RWIA did not last long, and has since disbanded. Pothoven said the board would bring the unemployed and employers together. Sheriff Ron Goemaat suggested asking the landowner to begin the eviction process to have the trailer removed.
  • Evansdale library proposals vie for support of public, council
    Mar 3, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    He didn't rule out the possibility of leasing the proposed facility to the city. A library built over a proposed storm shelter in Deerwood Park. Both proposals were on Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda. The EECD asked for the city's support, so they could apply for the grant. Council members tabled the request to learn more about the other projects. Ron Kettwig, EEDC member and Jewett supporter, was disappointed in the council's inaction.
  • Petition opposes tax funding Main Street
    Mar 3, 2010 — The Hawk Eye
    We're against how the program is being funded.
  • Minnesota company plans to hire 20-30 people within 60 days
    Mar 2, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Interested applicants should contact Iowa Workforce for employment information. The newly hired employees will be trained at Twin City Tanning's Minnesota facility. Twin City Tanning is associated with Twin City Hide Inc., a South St. Paul family owned and operated cattle hide processing company incorporated in 1919.
  • C.F. council passes budget, 3 percent tax increase
    Feb 23, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Commercial and industrial property owners will both see slight decreases in the city's share of taxes. The situation can be traced to the state property tax rollback. This time, it's reversed," Mayor Jon Crews said. For the owner of a $200,000 home, the tax increase amounts to $31.56.
  • Bill helps C.F. annex property on U.S. 20
    Feb 22, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Doris Kelley, D-Waterloo, comes from a district that includes Hudson and part of Cedar Falls. She sponsored the bill and said it met with little resistance. "It's a fair bill. It proposed annexing a portion of the property while agreeing not to annex any more land from Hudson for five years.
  • City looks to add rail spur in MidPort Industrial Park
    Feb 19, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    ...funds for rail development. The proposed mile-long rail segment would serve lots in the MidPort Industrial Park, which is south of the Waterloo Regional Airport. The spur from the Chicago Central and Pacific line specifically would provide railroad access to an area west of Airport Boulevard and the existing Waterloo Tent and Tarp plant. "The city of Waterloo is in conversation with two companies looking for development in the MidPort area that would require rail connectivity...
  • New system greets job seekers
    Feb 9, 2010 — Creston News Advertiser
    Their eligibility for a variety of federal and state programs is immediately established. Remodeling inside the center also includes two skills labs, each with several individual computer stations. Walls were removed to allow easier access for staff members to assist clients in those areas. By 2012, it's estimated the state will have more than 150,000 jobs than available workers to fill them.
  • Waterloo commercial projects seek tax breaks
    Feb 8, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    San Marnan tax increment financing district. Based on the acquisition of land for the project and the new building having a value of more than $1 million, the development agreement would include one year of 67 percent property tax rebates followed by four years of 50 percent tax breaks. In other business, the council will consider applying for a $35,000 grant from the National Park Service for a "Preserve America Grant" to document the history of Sans Souci Island. The city is...
  • Loebsack touts USDA Rural Development programs during Ottumwa visit
    Feb 6, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier
    The congressman also said Tonsager was "a farmer in South Dakota and did great work with cooperatives." Tonsager said the USDA has 500 office sites and 6,000 employees. How do we invest in ourselves?" he said. "One way was biofuels, which helped the economy and gave us markets. Funding is through grants, loan guarantees and eventually direct loans. Loebsack said broadband for rural residents is important and he hopes people will pursue it.
  • Officials remain optimistic
    Feb 6, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier
    The projects planned total $90 million and would include commercial retail, village-style shops, a sports activity center, condominiums and rental cabins. Total operating expenses for the resort for the 10-month period totaled $3,989,091.
  • Officials remain optimistic despite tough start for Honey Creek
    Feb 5, 2010 — Daily Iowegian
    The projects planned total $90 million and would include commercial retail, village-style shops, a sports activity center, condominiums and rental cabins. Total operating expenses for the resort for the 10-month period totaled $3,989,091.
  • Building boom expected near former Rath site
    Feb 3, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Drive for the development of a convenience store.
  • Cedar Falls city budget to increase 3 percent
    Feb 3, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Another substantial increase is to pay for a state-mandated increase in pension contributions. The city's portion of retirees pensions increased to 19.9 percent from 17 percent. The city has a "soft" hiring freeze in place, meaning positions can be filled but only after evaluating other options.
  • Legislators oppose road funding for State Troopers
    Feb 3, 2010 — Creston News Advertiser
    Mike Reasoner, D-Creston. "After what happened with the film tax credit of this past year, most of the legislators are saying we need to take a look. Chet Culver has called for $52 million in tax credits to be removed. Culver wants to divert $50 million from the Road Use Tax Fund to pay for the State Patrol. Reasoner, Dolecheck and Sen.
  • Browsing Around
    Feb 1, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier
    Less than a block away was the red light at Myrtle Street. Pumping the brake didn't work as well that time and I was grateful for another green light. There was oncoming traffic but no cars coming off Weller Street. I didn't want to turn onto Weller because more traffic was likely near the YMCA and Subway. Fortunately there were no oncoming cars when I reached Sheridan Avenue.
  • Chelgren announces challenge to Kreiman
    Feb 1, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier
    He called for "fair, considerate, consistent" policies to spur economic growth. Part of that includes reform of the state's property tax structure. Iowa's tax code reflects an agricultural state. He believes that distinction would help the state tailor its pitch to manufacturing while protecting agriculture as a major part of the Iowa economy. Regardless, the Legislature must be consistent.
  • Waterloo council to consider Crystal expansion
    Feb 1, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    WATERLOO -- Crystal Distribution Inc. appears ready to begin an expansion at its Rath Brownfields Area location. Waterloo City Council members are scheduled Monday to consider making a $2.2 million loan to the company from a pool of federal funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The low-interest loan would help Crystal construct a new cold storage facility south of its existing cold storage building at Vinton and Sycamore streets on the former...
  • Job creation, education backed by Lt. Gov. Judge
    Jan 28, 2010 — Creston News Advertiser
    I'm very confidence that as Iowans we will meet those challenges together." A major part of reversing current economic trends in the state involves creating new jobs. Part of the "Moving Iowa Forward" plan calls for some of this money to go toward flood recovery.
  • Cedar Falls - Hudson land spat on Monday council agenda
    Jan 25, 2010 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    ...owners in that area, near the intersection of Hudson Road and the highway, have petioned the City Development Board to sever their properties from the city of Hudson and be annexed into Cedar Falls. The board will meet in February to consider the request. Two of the key property owners would like to have their land developed as commercial or industrial property, but feel Hudson cannot provide the necessary infrastructure, such as water and sewer service. The Cedar Falls City Council...
  • County officials OK railport pledge
    Jan 21, 2010 — Clinton Herald
    ...of the railpark. John Staszewski, Democrat, said he's always backed the project and the county was taking a short-term risk for a long-term gain. Dennis Starling, Democrat, added by potentially creating new, high-paying jobs in Clinton, it would give young people a reason to stay in town. Davisson said she believed the project itself could be positive but thought voters should decide through a referendum how to spend tax dollars. With the county on board, Clinton...
  • County approves Ingenus agreement
    Jan 14, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier
    Cindy Toopes Jan. 14, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- OTTUMWA -- The vote was no surprise.
  • EDITORIAL
    Dec 27, 2009 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    That's been the case with the state's film tax credit program, which is now the target of a criminal probe. Film producers also were allowed to claim credit for expenses on purchases made outside of Iowa. In responding, Gov. Chet Culver has ordered a review of the state's 32 tax credit programs.
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa, Jim Offner column
    Dec 27, 2009 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    The goal of promoting Waterloo and Cedar Falls as a region, rather than competing entities, was a stroke of genius.
  • Waterloo gets $10 million to fight floods
    Nov 30, 2009 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    ...lift stations in the Cedar Bend, Hollywood and Fletcher Avenue residential neighborhoods. Another $3.94 million grant will match an expected $7 million Economic Development Administration grant to build lift stations at Westfield Avenue, Blowers Creek, Vinton Street, Virden Creek and Dry Run Creek. If the Cedar River swells up again, the new lift stations "will greatly avert the damage we saw in 2008," Hurley said. Waterloo's system of flood levees and gates kept the Cedar River...
  • Clark, Schmitt weigh in on downtown tax district, dam
    Nov 27, 2009 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    Alliance," Clark said. "I think they do a good job." Schmitt said he was concerned about whether other communities, including Cedar Falls, were paying a fair share of the GCVA costs. "I'd really like to see Waterloo do a more focused job of economic development in the city of Waterloo and then, depending on how that went, I'd want to take a look at our relationship with the Alliance," Schmitt said. Waterloo is paying the GCVA $85,000 annually for its efforts. Cedar Falls...
  • Commercial Street extension open to traffic
    Nov 20, 2009 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    ...economic development driver was unveiled this week. Contractors opened the new West Commercial Street extension, which cuts through the former John Deere Westfield Avenue plant, connecting the intersection of Highway 63 and the northbound U.S. Highway 218 on-ramp to the intersection of Commercial and Mullan downtown, near Young Arena. "The new Commercial Street offers a western gateway to downtown Waterloo and all the new developments that are occurring downtown," Waterloo Mayor...
  • College Hill opts out of plan to tax itself
    Nov 17, 2009 — Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
    The partnership started last year, combining efforts from neighborhood and business associations. A petition started in August needed to gain signatures from 25 percent of the property owners in the district. A proposal to establish a Tax Increment Financing district for College Hill businesses is being written by city legal staff.
  • Fong focuses on ?economic growth, taxes
    Nov 13, 2009 — Creston News Advertiser
    Culver is breaking his promise to Iowans not to raise taxes by shifting the burden and the hard decisions to the local level," he said. "He is forcing property taxes up. Why would you limit income?" Under his plan, controlled spending would lead to additional money replacing income taxes.
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