Fall 2014 - Region XII Council of Governments

The Review
The Region XII Council of Governments Newsletter
C A L E N D A R
September
Region XII 2015-2018 TIP Finalized
O
n July 10, the Region XII COG
Policy Council approved the 201510 - RDC Loan Review
Committee;
2018
Transportation
Improvement
11:30 AM, COG Training
Program (TIP). The TIP comprises five
Room
basic program elements:
National
11 - COG Housing &
Highway Performance Program, Surface
Executive Board Meeting;
Transportation Program, Transportation
12:30 PM, COG Board Room
Alternatives, STP-Bridge, and Transit. The
October
Surface Transportation Program (STP)
8 - RPA TAC Meeting;
element comprises 10 projects, totaling
10:00 AM, COG Board Room
$19,000,000.
These projects will be
9 - Executive Board Meeting;
assisted with $6,290,000 in RPA 12 funds.
5:00 PM, COG Training Room
9 - Policy Council Meeting;
6:00 PM, COG Training Room
November
11 - Veterans Day;
Region XII Office Closed
13 -Executive Board Meeting;
12:30 PM, COG Board Room
20 - Regional Workforce
Investment Board;
September 2014
New projects programmed to receive
regionally-awarded
funding
include
Audubon County N36 and Western Iowa
Transit.
A copy of the
Region XII TIP is
available on the
Region XII website
and by following this
link.
If
you
have
any
questions regarding the Region XII
Transportation Improvement Program,
please contact Chris Whitaker at
[email protected]
or
712-775-7811.
$1 Million in Revolving Madrid Joins
Loan Funds Available to the COG
The City of Madrid has
Businesses
joined Region XII COG as
an associate member for
2015, becoming the first
city in Boone County to do
so. As an associate member,
the City will receive grant
writing,
planning,
and
housing services of the
COG and its citizens will
The business must leverage other financing first
be eligible for most of its
as the RLF program is intended to be used for gap
housing programs. Madrid
financing. Region XII Development Corporation’s
became the sixth associate
purpose is to increase economic activity and
member of the COG, along
employment in rural areas.
with the five Dallas County
Since 1995, RDC has provided loans to over 80 cities of Adel, Linden,
businesses totaling over 6.3 million dollars. As a Minburn, Perry, & Redfield.
result, over 750 jobs have been created or retained Welcome aboard!
and over 32 million dollars has been invested in
our counties. FY2014 has proven to be another
successful year as Region XII approved over $1.1
million in loans. Please contact Tami Lehmann at
712-775-7802 or [email protected] for
more information.
Region XII Development Corporation has
over $1 million remaining for businesses
27 & 28 - Thanksgiving;
located in Audubon, Carroll, Crawford,
Region XII Office Closed
Greene, Guthrie and Sac counties. The
revolving loan funds may be used for
land
acquisition,
expansion, building construction
E X E C U T I V E
or
renovation,
equipment,
inventory and working
B O A R D
capital.
5:30 PM, COG Training Room
Marty Danzer, Chair
Carroll Co. Supervisor
Eric Skoog, Vice Chair,
Crawford Co. Supervisor
Jerry Caraher, Secretary
Guthrie Co. Supervisor
Guy Richardson, Treasurer
Greene Co. Supervisor
Duane Deist
Audubon Co. Supervisor
Ranell Drake
Sac Co. Supervisor
THE REVIEW
2
Region XII wins NADO
Innovation Award
Region XII has been recognized by the P a r t n e r s h i p P r o g r a m
National Association of Development
Organizations (NADO) for innovation Currently in progress, the COG’s Partnership Program
in 2014 with housing loans to support is an opportunity for private, non-government
businesses and organizations to become a part of the
the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
NADO, based in Washington, D.C., comprises 540 regional planning
and development organizations nationwide, and provides advocacy,
education, research, and training for member agencies.
Pre-Purchase Home Ownership Class
Region XII COG has recently been certified to offer a
prehomeownership class. With the changes in the homeownership
industry, the need for education in this area is vital. Previously
the client would have to travel to Des Moines or Omaha for this
education, now they can get it within the region.
The curriculum for the Pre-Purchase Class includes:
▪▪
Assessing readiness to buy a home
▪▪
Budgeting and credit
▪▪
Financing a home
▪▪
Selecting a home
▪▪
Maintaining a home and finances
Region XII is excited to have the opportunity to provide the
class ‘Realizing Your American Dream’ within the Region XII area.
The first class will be held September 13. If you, or you know
someone interesting in buying their first home, recommend this
informative class. Costs is $125 for individuals
or $175 for a couple. Any questions can be
directed to Jean Blum, FSSCoordinator,
[email protected] or 712-775-7822.
WIT Fiscal Year Statistics
With the completion of the fiscal year on June
30, Western Iowa Transit (WIT) has tabulated
transit statistics for the prior fiscal year. While
total rides decreased by 3.5%, total vehicle miles and
revenue miles have both increased over 9%.
A ride is a one-way passenger trip, and revenue miles are
calculated as either providing a ride to a passenger or enroute to
providing the service.
1,027,309
VEHICLE MILES
977,974 177,132
REVENUE MILES
TOTAL RIDES
COG’s mission to provide various needed services
to the region’s cities and counties. The Partnership
Program philosophy is that all groups making up
a community, including non-government entities
like local businesses, are essential to promoting,
advancing, and developing the community. The
COG appreciates the investments made so far this
year by the 2014 Partners listed below. For more
information on the Partnership Program, contact
Rick Hunsaker at [email protected].
SILVER MEMBERSHIP - $500
Bank Iowa, Denison
Krajicek Pallet, Denison
Mid-Iowa Insurance & Real Estate, Carroll
Scranton Manufacturing, Scranton
Toyne, Inc., Breda
BRONZE MEMBERSHIP - $250
Agri-Drain Corporation, Adair
Audubon County Econ. Development, Audubon
Audubon State Bank, Audubon
Badding Construction, Carroll
Bauer Built Manufacturing, Inc., Paton
Bruner, Bruner & Reinhart, Carroll
Carroll Area Development Corp., Carroll
Carroll County State Bank, Carroll
Commercial Savings Bank, Carroll
Coon Rapids Municipal Utilities, Coon Rapids
Denison Job Corps Center, Denison
Denison Municipal Utilities, Denison
Drees Company, Carroll
Farmers State Bank, Yale
Farner Bocken Company, Carroll
The Graphic Edge, Carroll
Guthrie County State Bank, Guthrie Center
HGM Associates, Council Bluffs
Holmes Murphy & Associates, West Des Moines
Iowa Savings Bank, Carroll
Iowa State Bank, Sac City
Landmands Bank, Audubon
Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co., Elk Horn
Panora Telecommunications, Inc., Panora
Principal Financial Group-Matt Ramaekers,
Carroll
Sundquist Engineering, Denison
Templeton Savings Bank, Templeton
Templeton Telephone Company, Templeton
United Bank of Iowa, Glidden
Western Iowa Networks, Breda
Westside State Bank, Westside
Wild Rose Entertainment, West Des Moines
THE REVIEW
3
Roosevelt
Elementary
Wins Bench
Roosevelt Elementary School in
Mason City was recently awarded
a bench from the Mason City Earth Day Committee as a prize
for winning a milk jug collection contest.
Mason City elementary schools participated in the contest
in April as one of several activities leading up to the annual
Earth Day cleanup event. Students at Roosevelt collected 655
pounds of milk jugs, and the grand total of all participating
schools was over 1,500 pounds of milk jugs collected!
The bench was constructed at Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls,
which makes a variety of materials out of recycled plastic.
Region XII COG is the contractor with the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources to provide Iowa Waste
Exchange (IWE) services statewide.
Shelly Codner,
[email protected], manages IWE Area 2, which
includes Cerro Gordo County.
Allison Stevenson, Roosevelt Elementary
School principal, and Todd Von Ehwegen,
Co-Chair of the Mason City Earth Day
Committee, with a recycled plastic bench
won by Roosevelt in a milk jug collecting
contest for the annual Earth Day Event.
IWE: Avoided Greenhouse
Gas Emmissions Calculator
If your city, county, business or organization is recycling, reusing
materials, or reducing waste, Region XII Council of Governments
can estimate how much impact your efforts have on reducing
greenhouse gases. The Greenhouse Gas Emissions calculator
uses the WARM Model approved by the EPA.
Region XII COG is the IDNR contractor to provide the Iowa Waste
Exchange statewide. The Eastern Iowa Community College District
in Davenport is one of our subcontractors for the service. Their
Environmental Specialist, Julie Plummer, is also an Iowa Waste Exchange
Area Specialist. At the conclusion of each fiscal year, Julie converts the Iowa
Waste Exchange statistics into an estimate of reduced greenhouse gasses. In FY 2014, the Iowa Waste
Exchange assisted in the diversion of 71,988 tons from Iowa’s landfills. According to the WARM
Model, these efforts resulted in the reduction of 64,815 metric tons of carbon dioxide going into the
atmosphere.
If you are interested in using the calculator, contact Fred Kesten, Iowa Waste Exchange Area Specialist
at 712-775-7813, or [email protected].
September 2014 Grant Update
C D BG
4
If your community is interested
in pursuing an upcoming
Community Development
Block Grant for housing,
water and sewer infrastructure,
downtown revitalization,
or community facilities
and services, contact Chris
Whitaker, Local Assistance
Director, or Laurie Gilbert,
Housing Program Manager.
Upcoming Grants
Funding Program
Purpose
Deadline
Eligible Applicants
Solid Wastes Alternatives
Program
Emphasis for selected projects is placed on
tonnage avoided or reduced, sustainability, and
ability to replicate
October 1
Local governments, public, or
private groups
Branching Out
Tree planting
November 1
Local governments and
businesses
CDBG Water and Sewer Fund
Grants to assist local governments with sanitary
sewer system improvements, water system
improvements, water and wastewater treatment
facilities, storm sewer projects related to sanitary
sewer system improvements and rural water
November 17
Cities and Counties
CDBG Housing Fund
Owner-occupied rehabilitation for single family
homes being used as the principal residence
December 8
Cities and counties
Regional Transportation
Alternatives
Recreational trails, scenic byway improvements,
and historic preservation of transportation-related
structures
January 9
Cities and counties
Regional Surface
Transportation Improvements
Program
Highway and roadway improvements on the
federal-aid system, highway safety improvements,
park and ride areas, and public transit projects
January 9
Cities and counties
Grants to assist communities in a variety of
CDBG Community Facilities and projects, including day care facilities, senior
Services
centers, vocational workshops, and other
community services such as stormwater projects
January 12
Cities and counties
HOME Downpayment
Assistance Program
Down payment assistance for first time
homebuyers
January 13
Cities and counties
CDBG Downtown Revitalization
Program
Grants to communities for a variety of projects
and activities contributing to comprehensive
revitalization of histroic city centers
January 20
Cities and counties
Alliant Hometown Challenge
Grants
Dollar‐for‐dollar match to local fundraising for
one‐time safety related projects for local response
teams
Rolling Cycle
Local governments, private
non-profits
Recently Awarded Grants
Funding Program
Recipient
Amount
Project
Timmerman Charitable Trust
Carroll Athletic Association
$10,000
Carroll’s Merchants Park Redevelopment
Renze Charitable Trust
Carroll Athletic Association
$10,000
Carroll’s Merchants Park Redevelopment
Additional grants are available through private foundations and ongoing programs. If you are looking for funding for a specific
project, please contact Chris Whitaker at 712-775-7811 or [email protected] for assistance in locating funding opportunities.
THE REVIEW
5
Stand Out as an Exceptional Employee
The 3 ½ hour presentation is original,
written and developed by staff, and
titled “Stand Out as an Exceptional
Employee”.
Topics covered are:
teamwork, skills and qualities
employers are looking for, soft skills
and your paycheck, handling tough
people, habits that hold you back,
active listening, and breaking down
non-verbal communication.
After the training, 76 employees
took the test to receive a National
Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).
It was a great event that provided
skills to employees. We are hopeful
other employers may wish to take
advantage of the training.
Other
trainings
topics
in
development are Job Searching
for Baby Boomers and Team Work.
Those interested in
hosting a
workshop should contact Lisa Smith
at the IowaWORKS Center at 619 N
Carroll Street in Carroll or by phone,
712-792-2685, ext. 20.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Region XII’s Lisa Smith and
IowaWorks’
Deb
Mauricio
presented a workshop to 120 Job
Corps employees on July 8th. Job
Corps Human Resource Director
requested the workshop to be one
of the events offered to Job Corps
staff during a three day training
event.
SAVE T
SEPTEM
Mark your calend
Where are the skilled worke
They are currently in the Kby helping shape the workf
system and our business co
possess the right skills for o
WHAT
Employe
WHEN
WHERE
8am to 1p
Carrollto
Sarah Go
RSVP
sgomez@m
“An i
into
EMPLOYER
EDUCATOR
SUMMIT
September 17th, 2014
8 am to 1 pm
Carrollton Inn, Carroll
RSVP to Sarah Gomez
[email protected] or
515-523-1262
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director ................................................. [email protected]
Kathy Pauli, Fiscal Officer ....................................................................... [email protected]
Tami Lehmann, Revolving Loan Fund Administrator................... [email protected]
Mollie Scott, De-Cat Coordinator.............................................................. [email protected]
JoAnn Olberding, Executive Secretary ........................................... [email protected]
L O C A L A S S I S TA N C E
STAFF
Sponsored
Chris Whitaker, Local Assistance Director ..................................... [email protected]
Sam Parker, Regional Planner................................................................ [email protected]
Fred Kesten, Iowa Waste Exchange Program Manager ...................... [email protected]
Shelly Codner, Iowa Waste Exchange Specialist................................. [email protected]
Laurie Gilbert, Housing Programs Manager ....................................... [email protected]
Karla Janning, Housing Specialist....................................................... [email protected]
Nancy Muhlbauer, Housing Inspector ........................................ [email protected]
Jean Blum, FSS Coordinator..................................................................... [email protected]
W E S T E R N I O WA T R A N S I T
Tom Feldman, Transit Director ......................................................... [email protected]
Mike Rath, Service Manager.................................................................... [email protected]
Jill Anthofer, Transit Assistant............................................................ [email protected]
WOR K F ORC E DEV E LOP M E N T
Beth Winquist, Workforce Director............................................... [email protected]
Lisa Smith, Career Development Specialist......................................... [email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/
complaint filing cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter
containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410,
by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected]
1009 East Anthony Street, PO Box 768, Carroll, IA 51401 | (712) 792-9914 | www.region12cog.org
Keyno