News and Events

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Chad Thompson A pilot program being administered by Iowa Central Community College, which allows inmates to earn a college education, could be one solution to Iowa’s workforce challenges, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds. “That’s the number one concern I hear when I talk to business and industry — that they need people,” Reynolds said Monday during a tour of the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City. “So this is an opportunity to address that.” But the impact of the program, called Second Chance Pell, won’t be known until inmates who used it re-enter the workforce. “We will be collecting data,” Beth Skinner, director...

CFR builds for the future; expansive new building for all services should be open in May

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Chad Thompson When Edward Jones financial advisor Gabe Pettit was looking for a place for his Fort Dodge office, he saw great potential in a historic downtown building on the west end of Central Avenue that overlooks City Square Park. The first thing he noticed when he looked at the building, located at 517 Central Ave., was workers tuckpointing the exterior. “If you want a building to be around for a long time those are the improvements you make,” Pettit, of Humboldt, said. “It’s a beautiful spot on the corner.” The inside of the 2-story structure left something to be desired. But Pettit saw...

Educational Opportunities in Fort Dodge Take Students from Pre-K through College

Friday, June 21, 2019

Families seeking the best possible education for their children should consider moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa. The community places a great emphasis on a quality education, beginning in preschool. In fact, Fort Dodge is one of the few communities in the country offering free preschool to every four-year-old. With research demonstrating that children enrolled in preschool fare better throughout their educational career, Fort Dodge's youngest citizens are being set up for success. Fort Dodge Community School District The Fort Dodge Community School District (FDCSD) provides warm, caring and comprehensive education for local children. The school district serves over 3,600 students in one...

Turn around time

Monday, June 17, 2019

Chad Thompson When Leah Glasgo took over as president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, she was immediately confronted with financial challenges. In 2018, the Fort Dodge hospital ended the year with a $6.8 million deficit, she said. Glasgo assumed her new role with UnityPoint in late January. In the months since that time, Glasgo and hospital administration have worked to find solutions to help turn that deficit around and increase efficiency. One of the reasons for the shortfall, according to Glasgo, is that during the last five years, reimbursement has increased slightly and expenses have increased by more than...

Market on Central returns this Thursday

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Chad Thompson Organizers of Market on Central are hoping for higher attendance with fewer events in 2019. “We talked about trying to do fewer, larger events,” said Lydia Schuur, the communications director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. “That’s why there is three this year instead of the eight that have been in the past.” The first Market on Central of the year is Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The market will take up Central Avenue from Seventh Street to Ninth Street and include part of North and South Eighth Street. More than 20 vendors will be on hand, offering a wide...

C & S Products purchased by California company

Friday, June 07, 2019

Bill Shea C & S Products Co. Inc., a Fort Dodge-based producer of wild bird food, has been acquired by a California company that makes similar products. Central Garden & Pet Co., of Walnut Creek, California, obtained the local company in a deal confirmed by representatives of both companies. The terms of the transaction have not been revealed. Kevin Alstott, the owner and chief executive officer of the Fort Dodge company; and Karen Alstott, who is owner and president of the company; wrote a statement on the transaction, which was released Thursday by Central Garden & Pet Co. ”We wanted to make you all...

Federal grant to pay for removing asbestos

Thursday, June 06, 2019

Bill Shea A $500,000 federal grant for asbestos removal will provide the needed money for the first hands-on work to eventually renovate the Warden Plaza, build an intermodal hub and create a new cultural and recreation center in downtown Fort Dodge. The grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will pay for removing asbestos from the Wahkonsa Annex in preparation for its future demolition. The work could begin as early as this fall. The grant award was announced Wednesday. ”I definitely think it helps reiterate that the city is committed to this project,” Mayor Matt Bemrich said Wednesday. ”This is getting our federal tax dollars...

Orthopedic care to be offered in Fort Dodge

Thursday, June 06, 2019

Chad Thompson UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center will once again offer orthopedic care for its patients in Fort Dodge. The hospital on Wednesday announced a new partnership with Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine PC, a group headquartered in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, near Sioux City. Orthopedics deals with the correction of bones or muscles. UnityPoint’s orthopedic clinic has been closed since Nov. 8, 2018. “Finding a strong, reputable orthopedic partner for Fort Dodge and our surrounding communities has been a priority for UnityPoint Clinic,” said Leah Glasgo, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. “In our search to find this...

CFR

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Hans Madsen Michelle De La Riva, executive director of Community & Family Resources, said she isn’t too unhappy about leaving the organization’s old, crowded facilities behind. Moving into their new building? That she’s very happy about. She shared some of those thoughts Friday afternoon during a ribbon cutting and open house at the organization’s new facility at 211 Avenue M West. “When we were designing this,” she said. “They asked what I wanted it to look like. I told them I want it to be as good as my staff.” The new facility is larger, better lit, much more welcoming and has facilities such a...

Home on the ranch

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Chad Thompson There appears to be no shortage of recreation opportunities at Lizard Creek Ranch. Weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, conferences, team building exercises, or a place for construction workers to lay their heads, are some of the uses for the expansive property west of Fort Dodge. “It’s a multi-purpose recreation venue,” Jason Kahler, of Fort Dodge, said. “There’s so many different things.” A grand opening for the ranch, located at 1762 Johnson Ave., was held last night. Kahler along with Fred Weers and Jake Hilton, both of Badger, are the owners of Lizard Creek Ranch. Kahler, a retired Fort Dodge police officer, is the owner...

Intermodal hub would offer transportation options downtown

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Bill Shea A parking ramp with additional transportation features called an intermodal hub may someday link a rejuvenated Warden Plaza and a new cultural and wellness center in downtown Fort Dodge. City officials will learn this summer if a $5.9 million federal grant will be awarded to help pay for its construction along First Avenue South. Once completed, the presence of the intermodal hub would make it possible for someone to drive to downtown Fort Dodge, park in a covered space and get on a bus to either go to work or start the first leg of a crosscountry trip. People could also walk...

Modern safe trucking

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Hans Madsen The trucking business can be a very competitive world, not only for loads to haul but also for experienced, safe drivers to haul them. Decker Truck Line Inc., headquartered in Fort Dodge, is doing everything it can to hire and retain drivers and give them a safe, comfortable place to work. Brad Baaed, chief operating officer, stressed the importance of the approximately 800 drivers working on the road. “Drivers are key here,” he said. “We have a lot of long term drivers. It takes one big team to move the freight.” Keeping drivers happy, comfortable and safe when they’re out on the road...

Baker Electric is building to relocate

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Chad Thompson When Todd Baker started his electric company more than 10 years ago, he was the only employee. In the years since, that number has grown to about 30. And the company is continuing to display growth by building its new headquarters northwest of the four-way stop by the Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites. “We just outgrew the current facility and we wanted to expand,” Baker said. “We thought it would be an excellent location for us.” He added, “With the speculation of more growth at Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation, we thought it was a win-win.” Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation...

Learning Curve

Friday, May 03, 2019

Hans Madsen There’s a learning curve involved when it comes to bending electrical conduit into something that can actually run from a fuse box to an outlet. Middle school students from Fort Dodge and Eagle Grove found that out Thursday during the annual Careers on Wheels event on the Iowa Central Community College East Campus. They learned about a variety of careers, and the vehicles used for them. Bemrich Electric & Telephone electrician Justin Keigher looked over their bending “work,” which looked amazingly like a big piece of galvanized spaghetti. “That’s what happens to conduit when you let fifth-graders bend it,” he said, admiring...

Join Us for an Evening of Inspiration and Celebration

Saturday, February 09, 2019

The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner will be held on February 28th, 2019 at the Best Western Starlite Village Inn and Suites, with a social hour starting at 5 p.m. and dinner served at 6 p.m. We are excited to announce that Nick Tasler will be our keynote speaker this year. He is the author of four best-selling books, an internationally acclaimed thought leader and an organizational psychologist. Nick is passionate about the science behind human behavior and identifying ways that individuals can become better leaders, teams can succeed together, and businesses can thrive. His research on the...

Governor Kim Reynolds Visits Spin Markket On Condition Of The State Tour

Sunday, February 03, 2019

Iowa Workforce Development recommended Spin Markket as a business that the Governor should visit. The discussion focused on how Spin Markket works with businesses around the state to tell their story about their business for customers and use that same strategy for recruiting new employees. https://www.prweb.com/releases/governor_kim_reynolds_visits_spin_markket_on_condition_of_the_state_tour/prweb16077253.htm

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