The Southwest Iowa Marketing Coalition helps entrepreneur-minded people discover opportunities to find a new career, a new life and a new future in Southwest Iowa. Many local, regional, state, national, private and public resources await men and women with big ideas and the drive to make them come true.
Click on the links below to discover the resources available to help you reinvent yourself in Southwest Iowa.
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Local Resources
Adams County Resources
Cass County Resources
Fremont County Resources
Montgomery County Resources
Page County Resources
Ringgold County Resources
Shelby County Resources
Taylor County Resources
Regional Resources
State of Iowa Resources
Adams Community Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) – Contact: Beth Waddle, Executive Director, 710 Davis Avenue, Corning, Iowa 50841 (641-322-5229) acedc@frontiernet.net
ACEDC Revolving Loan Fund – Low-interest loans are available for new and expanding businesses in Adams County. Applications are due the first week of the month. For more information or to receive an application contact Beth Waddle, Executive Director, ACEDC, 710 Davis Avenue, Corning, Iowa 50841-(641-322-5229)
Façade Grant Program – Business owners or property owners located in the Main Street Corning District are eligible to receive grants for 40% (up to $1,000) for façade improvements (windows, awning, signage, painting, etc.) Applications are reviewed monthly. For application contact: Stacie Hull, Main Street Corning Program Manager, Main Street Corning, 710 Davis Ave., Corning, Iowa 50841 (641-322-3243) adamschamber@frontiernet.net
Main Street Iowa Design Assistance – Main Street business owners or property owners in the Main Street Corning District may receive complimentary design consulting and services from the design team at Main Street Iowa. Site visits are scheduled statewide through the Main Street Iowa office. For an appointment contact: Stacie Hull, Main Street Corning Program Manager, Main Street Corning, 710 Davis Ave., Corning, Iowa 50841 (641-322-3243) adamschamber@frontiernet.net
Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) helps new and expanding businesses find resources to meet their specific needs. Contact: Russ Joyce, Executive Director, Cass/Atlantic Development Corp., 14 West 6th St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, 712-243-2022, cadco@a-m-u.net.
CADCO Site & New Business Task Force works with business owners utilizing Iowa’s Location One Information System (LOIS) to find buildings and land for their operations. The Business Advisory Group is made up of successful business people offering complimentary advice and brainstorming to entrepreneurs. Contact: Russ Joyce, Executive Director, Cass/Atlantic Development Corp., 14 West 6th St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, 712-243-2022, cadco@a-m-u.net.
Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise (P.R.I.D.E.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and aiding the entrepreneurial spirit. P.R.I.D.E. provides support and networking opportunities for the rural and small town business person, with a focus on building social infrastructure and teaching communities how to support entrepreneurs, as well as work with their existing businesses, to grow wealth. Contact Frank Spillers, 1413 Chestnut Street; Atlantic, Iowa 50022, 712-243-5110, 712-254-1645 – Cell, frank@ghorizons.com
RBEG Revolving Loan Fund provides low interest loans to businesses located in Cass County with fewer than 50 employees and gross sales under $1,000,000. Contact: Russ Joyce, Executive Director, Cass/Atlantic Development Corp (CADCO) , 14 West 6th St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, 712-243-2022.
Fremont County Economic Development Corporation – Contact: Kim Gee, president, Lynda Cruickshank, vice-president, 800 Illinois, P. O. Box 369, Sidney, Iowa 51652.
Sidney Chamber of Commerce, Box 401, Sidney, IA 51652 (712.374.2023) http://www.sidneyia.net/
Red Oak Industrial Foundation (ROIF) – ROIF’s Contact Committee works to assist local companies as well as new start-ups in putting together financial packages that allow the company to grow while assuring viability and profitability for tomorrow. Contact: George Maher, Executive Director, 307 E. Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566 (712-623-2261) mcdc@redoakiowa.com www.redoakiowa.com/ROIF.
Montgomery County Development Corporation (MCDC) - MCDC services include business start-up and expansion assistance, site location information, finance packaging, state and federal incentive applications, grant writing and revolving loan fund. Contact: George Maher, Executive Director, 307 E. Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566 (712-623-2261) mcdc@redoakiowa.com.
Red Oak Chamber of Commerce – The mission of the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce is to promote the betterment and growth of Red Oak through the coordination of the efforts of our citizens and organizations. Contact: Angie Stein, Executive Director, 307 East Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566 (712-623-4821) execdir@redoakiowa.com
Red Oak Downtown Urban Renewal Fund – Funding in the amount of $5000 or 25% of total project costs, whichever is less, is available for eligible renovations on properties located within a designated downtown district. Applications are reviewed on a bi-monthly basis. Contact: Angie Stein, Executive Direct, Red Oak Chamber of Commerce 307 East Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566 (712-623-4821) execdir@redoakiowa.com
Stanton Area Industrial Foundation – The Stanton Area Industrial Foundation is proud to promote our community and the quality of life that it has to offer. Through speculative housing, lot development and business and industry promotion, we encourage newcomers to join in the spirit of positive growth in our small, but progressive community. The pride displayed in our schools, churches, businesses and organizations is one to be shared. Contact: Mickey Anderson, President, PO Box 1, Stanton, IA 51573, saif_info@stantoniowa.com
Villisca Chamber of Commerce – www.villisca.com
City of Shenandoah Revolving Loan Fund - The City of Shenandoah has a revolving loan fund available for new or existing businesses. The maximum loan amount is $40,000 with interest rates at 3% to 4.5%. Contact: Byron Harris, city manager, 500 W. Clarinda Ave., Shenandoah, IA 52632 (712-246-4411) boharris@mchsi.com
Clarinda Chamber of Commerce – Contact: Elaine Farwell, executive director, 115 East Main Street, Clarinda, Iowa 51632 (712-542-2166 or
712-303-0019) efarwell@clarinda.org www.clarinda.org
Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association – Contact: Gregg Connell, executive director, 100 S. Maple Street, Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 (712-246-3455) chamber@simplyshenandoah.com www.shenandoahiowa.net
Ringgold County Development – Ringgold County Development works with businesses to identify local resources to help entrepreneurs and new businesses. Contact: Sandy Lamb, Development Coordinator, 117 South Filmore, Mt. Ayr., Iowa, 50854 (641-414-2297) rdevco@iowatelecom.net
City of Benton – Contact: Robert Haley, Mayor (641-785-2271) rhaley@iowa.telecom.net
City of Beaconsfield – Contact: Lois Davis, Mayor
City of Diagonal – Contact: Lowell Johnson, Mayor (641-734-5491) diagonal@iowatelecom.net
City of Delphos – Contact: Theron Johnson, Mayor (641-785-2358)
City of Ellston – Contact: Raymond Derscheid, Mayor (641-772-4486)
City of Kellerton – Contact: Judd Bowen, Mayor (641-783-2321), ckellerton@iowatelecom.net
City of Redding – Contact: Dan Quick, Mayor (641-767-5255)
City of Tingley – Contact: Karen Pettinger, Mayor (641-772-4436) k/pettinger@iowatelecom.net
Shelby County Enterprise Zone - over 3,028 acres of development land available offering lucrative tax exemptions/refunds/credits & training benefits.
Off-Shore Iowa/Tech - Entrepreneurial Center - provides technologically enhanced administrative space at Iowa’s Regional Information Technology Centers (only four in Iowa including Harlan) for businesses requiring “knowledge-based” employment in a technology seting. Contact: David Yamada, DevelopSource Director, 1006 6th Street, Harlan, IA 51537 (712-755-3569) dyamada@harlannet.com.
Growth Assistance Program - The Shelby County Growth Assistance Program (GAP) Revolving Loan Fund provides supplemental financing to small and medium-sized businesses located, or to be located, in Shelby County, Iowa. Program funds may be used for most aspects of start-up or expansion projects, and, in some cases, may include needed working capital. To qualify for loan assistance a minimum of three (3) full time equivalent (FTE) jobs is required. Contact: Dave Yamada, Shelby County DevelopSource, 1006 6th Street, Harlan, Iowa 51537, 712-755-3569 dyamada@harlannet.com.
Shelby County DevelopSource – Contact: Dave Yamada, 1006 6th Street, Harlan, Iowa 51537 (712-755-3569) dyamada@harlannet.com.
Bedford Area Development Center – The Bedford Area Development Center provides relocation packets for those moving to the area and is the connection with the Main Street Iowa Program for businesses in the county. The Center is also the place to get information on regional resources for business start-ups, housing programs, local organizations and are events. Contact: Deann Hensley, Executive Director, 601 Madison Ave., Bedford, IA 50833 (712-523-3637) bedfordareadc@frontiernet.net
Lenox Chamber of Commerce Contact: Michelle Tullberg, Lenox, IA 50851 (641-333-4272)
Lenox Development Corporation - Contact: Bill Henderson, (641-336-2395)
Grow Iowa Foundation (GIF) - The Grow Iowa Foundation provides loan capital for small businesses, industrial, manufacturing, housing and affordable housing within 22 counties in southwest Iowa. Current loan funds being managed include business lending and an upper story loan/grant program. Contact: Debra Houghtaling, Executive Director, 206 NE Court Drive, P.O. Box 177, Greenfield, Iowa 50849 (641.343.7977) www.growiowa.org.
Iowa Entreprenerial Consortium –The Consortium, headquartered at Iowa Western Community College, has prepared nearly 900 Iowans to asses a new business idea and learn the skills necessary to launch a business. Aspiring entrepreneurs from across the state have taken the FastTrac® New Venture™ course to develop a feasibility plan and make their dreams a reality. Small business owners also benefit from FastTrac® Growth Venture ™ training. Nearly 300 existing Iowa business owners have developed the skills required to improve or expand their business. Contact: Mark Stanley, Executive Director, (712-325-3375 or 800-432-5852 ext. 3375), mstanley@iwcc.edu or Julie Mierau, Director of Entrepreneurial Education & Training, (712-325-3309 or 800-432-5852 ext. 3309), jmierau@iwcc.edu.
Rural Development Resource Center (RDRC) - Under a partnership with Iowa State University Extension, the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development, the Grow Iowa Foundation, Southwestern Community College and the Southwest Iowa Coalition, RDRC is a 22-county technical assistance provider for start-up and expansions of small to mid-size retail, service and manufacturing businesses. Technical assistance is available for business training/plans, feasibility studies, capitalization support, marketing feasibility studies/plans, business evaluations, e-commerce support and producer/grower technical assistance. This center was started through funding provided by Iowa State University, Iowa West Foundation, the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the USDA. Contact: Lynn Adams, Communication Coordinator, or Roxanna Sieber, Angie Rae Duncan and Steve Adams, Business Consultants, 2011 N. 8th Street, P.O. Box 292, Red Oak, Iowa 51566 (712.623.5521) www.enterprisingiowans.com .
Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG) - is a service-oriented agency geared to assist member units of government and their affiliated groups. SICOG is organized to meet daily and long term operational and planning needs for efficiency and effectiveness of the units of government. SICOG programs are a reflection of the needs of its members. Groups that have received assistance include city and county governments, local development corporations new and existing businesses, and community based groups. Whysouthwestiowa.com counties being served are: Adams, Taylor and Ringgold. Assistance is available in a variety of areas including: Community Development - Grant Administration - Housing - Personnel Planning Loan Funds - Technical Assistance - Transit - Transportation Planning. SICOG can also offer direct assistance to new or expanding industries by writing and administering grants for a variety of program funds from Local, State and Federal programs. Contact: Timothy Ostroski, Executive Director, 101 East Montgomery St., Creston, IA 50801 641.782.8491 www.sicog.com
Southwest and South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwestern Community College (SWCC) and Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) provide services to entrepreneurial start-up and existing small businesses for 22 counties in southwest Iowa. Workshops, seminars and courses that address the needs of those interested in starting a business and existing small businesses are offered throughout the year, including QuickBooks I – The Basics, QuickBooks II, Understanding Financial Statements and Smart Start. Contact: Dave McLaren, SWCC-SBDC Director, Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline, Creston, Iowa (641.782.1483) www.iabusnet.org/sbdc/southcentral.cfm or Sue Pitts, IWCC-SBDC Director, IWCC-SBDC-Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road, Box 4C Council Bluffs, Iowa 51502-Ph.#712.325.3350 www.iabusnet.org/sbdc/southwest.cfm
Southwest Iowa Coalition (SWICO) - The Coalition is a 16-member, eight-county rural issues organization focused on economic development in the following areas: transportation, housing, technology training/transfer, tourism, value-added agriculture, rural water, workforce development, regional marketing and local, state and federal legislative policy. Contact: Lynn Adams, Coordinator, 2011 N. 8th Street, P.O. Box 292, Red Oak, Iowa 51566 (712.623.5521) www.swico.org.
Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) – provides economic development assistance in an eight-county area. Whysouthwestiowa.com counties being served are: Cass, Fremont, Montgomery, Page, and Shelby. Services include planning, grant writing and program administration. SWIPCO aids communities and businesses to establish Tax Increment Finance districts, tax abatement areas and other economic stimulus packages. SWIPCO can also offer direct assistance to new or expanding industries by writing and administering grants such as the Economic Development Set Aside (EDSA) and Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE). Through the comprehensive planning process, SWIPCO can also help communities identify suitable areas for future economic development and tailor a strategy for sustained growth. Contac: MJ Broomfield, Executive Director, 1501 SW 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022 (712-243-4196) www.swipco.org .
Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development (WFRRD) - The Wallace Foundation assists in the planning and implementation of agricultural research, technology transfer and rural development in 19 southwest Iowa counties. The current focus is on alternative energy, high tunnel greenhouses for extended growing seasons and regional foods production by local niche growers for delivery into the institutional foods market. Contact: Keith Booth, Director, 53020 Hitchcock Avenue, Lewis, Iowa 51544 (712.769.2650) http://www.wallacefdn.org
Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) - CIRAS assists companies with management, production, marketing, engineering, finance and technology problems. CIRAS helps bring firms into contact with resource people, organizations and agencies that can help provide solutions. Contact: CIRAS, ISU Research Park, 2501 North Loop Park, Suite 500 Ames, IA 50010-8286 ((515-294-3420) ciras@iastate.edu.
Cooperative Services - This group provides free technical assistance to help rural residents form new cooperative ventures and improve existing operations. Contact: USDA - Rural Development, 873 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 (515-284-4714)
Institute of Social and Economic Development (ISED) - ISED focuses on helping minorities, women, persons with disabilities and low-income individuals by encouraging self-sufficiency through the growth of small business and self-employment opportunities, and provides services for any person who wants to start or expand a business employing up to five employees. Iowa Contact: Jason Friedman, vice-president, 1901 Broadway, Suite 313, Iowa City, IA 52240, 319-338-2331, jfriedman@ised.org.
Iowa Procurement Outreach Center (IPOC) - IPOC helps Iowa businesses successfully compete for federal government contracts. The Center helps locate bar coding suppliers, reviews bid documents and provides information on contract administration and general consulting. Contact: Iowa Department of Economic Development, 200 East Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309 (515-242-4888 or 800-458-4465) .
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) - SCORE features retired businessmen and businesswomen who volunteer their time to counsel and assist those starting a business or encountering business challenges. Contact: SCORE, Federal Building, Room 749, 210 Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-4760.
Iowa Small Business Ombudsman was established to increase government's responsiveness and sensitivity to the needs of small businesses. The Ombudsman acts as a liaison between businesses and various government bodies and departments. Contact: Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman, 215 East 7th Street, Capital Complex, Des Moines, IA 50319 (515-281-3592).
Virtual Management Assistance Program - This program maintains and monitors a comprehensive and confidential database system designed to act as a clearinghouse to foster business-to-business connections by connecting entrepreneurs with management consultants and/or strategic alliance partners. Contact: Iowa Department of Economic Development Small Business Resource Office, 200 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309 (515-242-4704).
