Economy

Lt. Gov. Judge emphasizes jobs (02/19/10)
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Reporter Thursday, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge focused on jobs from start to finish, as she discussed items she and Gov. Chet Culver hope to see accomplished during a shortened, 80-day legislative session. "We're very much aware -- as everyone in the state is -- that we're in the midst of a worldwide recession and people are concerned, and rightfully so," Judge said. ...

Agriculture, economy go hand-in-hand (02/18/10)
Economically speaking, the U.S. has two choices, Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus David Kohl told a large group during his Ag Outlook keynote address Tuesday afternoon. "We're either going to pick ourselves up like we did in the 80s ... or we're going to move toward a European-style economy (with) more regulation and we're probably not going to be a world-dominant economy," Kohl said...

Grant applications for four trail projects submitted (02/11/10)
Spencer Park Board members plan to file grant requests for the placement of trails in three city parks and for a trail connecting East 10th Street and Stolley Park via 18th Street. The first grant application -- which lists potential trails in North School, Deerfield and Westview parks -- could be awarded through a second federal stimulus package deemed Stimulus II. ...

Branstad's back (01/22/10)
He's not Michael Jordan and he has probably never had quite the following of Mötley Crüe, but Terry Branstad has launched his very own comeback campaign, which stopped at the Spencer Public Library Thursday. ...

Governor appoints Clay County native IDED director (12/29/09)
DES MOINES -- Governor Chet Culver continued his efforts to reorganize state government by making two new appointments for key government positions. In addition, the Governor took further steps to streamline state government by moving a key housing program from the Department of Economic Development to the Iowa Finance Authority...

Area economic development programs adapt to loss of funds (12/17/09)
Despite a cut of over $7 million reaching state economic development services, many Lakes area corridor organizations under this umbrella are keeping their heads above water. The solvency of programs including the Mainstreet/Rural Mainstreet Program in Spencer, the the Iowa Lakes Corridor Corporation and the regional offices of Iowa Workforce Development are the result of a number of financial alternatives, including federal funding, local business support and grants...

Transportation projects roll on despite cuts (12/15/09)

Natural resources at risk in State cuts (12/12/09)
Iowa's natural resources have not been spared in the State's 10 percent across-the-board budget clear-cutting, and northwest Iowa environmental leaders wonder how deep the roots of economic damage may run. One of the largest expenditure cuts from the DNR falls in the state parks funding...

36 ag jobs saved by union vote, department to look at program cuts (12/08/09)
As he trudges through the mud at his farm east of Spirit Lake, one has to wonder if Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is drawing comparisons to the muddy condition of Iowa's finances. "We'll do what we have to do," he says with a glint of optimism. "Our businesses and citizens in the state are hurting because of the current economy, so obviously the state has less money as well."...

Area banker seeks May's District 6 seat (12/08/09)
Okoboji banker Jeff Smith on Tuesday announced plans to run for the Iowa House District 6 seat currently held by Mike May. May said he will not be seeking re-election in 2010 and voiced support for Smith -- a fellow Republican -- as part of the statement that officially announced Smith's campaign for the seat...

State cuts taking a toll on NW Iowa (12/05/09)
"The first cut is the deepest," muses a classic song. The global economic crisis has hit home belatedly, but with full force, in Iowa and local communities this season. The bleeding can be felt from the slashes in school budgets to the trauma of sudden job losses...

Contested council race headlines Spencer ballot (10/31/09)
A newcomer who believes in term limits and a council member who has served the city for the past 28 years are both seeking the Spencer City Council at-large seat Tuesday as voters go to the polls. Randy Plagman and incumbent David A. Scott both met the filing deadline to appear on the Nov. 3 municipal ballot...

Harvest Update: Late start, wet crop drives up prices (10/20/09)
Producers may get higher prices for their harvest this fall, but the late planting start and an early freeze may bring lower yields, according to Chad Hart, a grain marketing economist at Iowa State University. "This frost/freeze within the past couple of weeks did have an impact on yields," he said. ...

75 years and still in love (10/16/09)
It's safe to say that Bob and Evelyn Lathrop "get along pretty good." The couple has weathered a lifetime of experiences, including the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and the dawning of a new millennium together. The Spencer pair, who have been together for over 75 years, recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary with family members, which includes four children, 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. ...

Freudenberg-NOK to close Spencer plant (10/14/09)

J&G shows green not just for John Deere (10/01/09)

Ag reps encouraged, warned about future of industry (09/19/09)
While times may be tough, nearly 100 agricultural representatives were encouraged to keep their chins up and focus on the prize during a luncheon held Thursday at the Clay County Fair. ...

As Senate debates, local dealers wait for 'clunkers' payments (08/06/09)
Local car dealership managers acknowledge a bit of confusion and a lot of red tape through the "cash-for-clunkers" stimulus program. They also see a little more traffic on their lots, suggesting at least some aspects of the federal incentive program are gaining traction...

Next up: An occupant (07/31/09)
Heavy construction equipment and ceremonial golden shovels cleared the way for some progress Thursday morning on the east side of Spencer. The Spencer Industries Foundation broke ground on its sixth building. The newest one is going up on a 9.2-acre lot in the southwest corner of the Green Industrial Center, Spencer's newest industrial park...

Emergency grant announced for RR Donnelley workers (07/23/09)
U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis used a central Iowa stop Wednesday to announce a $664,000 emergency grant for Spencer's displaced RR Donnelley workers. R. Scott Bigelow, the vice president of human resources at RR Donnelley, informed city leaders on Jan. 13 that the company planned to close its Spencer location. The decision left 160 employees out of work. Subsequent layoffs occurred throughout February and March 2009...

'Help' arrives in Spencer Tuesday (07/11/09)
The "Help is Here Express" bus tour will be in Spencer on Tuesday, July 14, stopping at Spencer Hospital to help uninsured and financially-struggling Iowans access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. The bus tour is part of the partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) -- a nationwide effort sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies -- raising awareness of patient assistance programs among residents who have been facing layoff or a loss of health care benefits in a struggling economy. ...

Spencer's industrial development breaks ground (05/28/09)
"Welcome to the celebration," said Kathy Evert, president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, greeting those gathered for Wednesday's ground breaking at the site of Spencer's new industrial park. The project marks the city's first green development...

Spencer Main Street earns two awards (04/22/09)
The Spencer Main Street program secured awards for "Best Education/Preservation Design Committee Project" and for "Outstanding Volunteer" during the 22nd Annual Main Street Awards Ceremony, held April 17 in Des Moines. The education/preservation award recognized Spencer Main Street's efforts to catalog 39 historic buildings in its downtown historic commercial district. A plaque explaining the historic significance of each building is displayed at of the properties...

Hundreds join tax protest at Clay County Courthouse (04/16/09)
Wednesday's national tax day, tea party government spending protests weren't limited to state capitols and major metropolitan areas. About 275 people filled in around a makeshift podium on the courthouse square in Spencer for a local version of the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party. The event was organized by Kris Thiessen of Everly, who co-owns White Glove, a janitorial business in Spencer...

Feeling the stress of the economic times? Protect your mental health. (04/04/09)
Today's economy has some people feeling nervous or scared. Along with the once local companies which have closed their doors, many other area businesses have downsized over the last half year. Jobs have been cut and workers have experienced reduced hours or been furloughed from their positions...

Off to Washington, D.C.: Economic development effort takes flight (03/26/09)
The quest for better roads and sewer systems begins with support from members of Congress. A delegation led by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is in Washington, D.C. to get that support this week. Twelve community leaders have set up a series of meetings with Iowa's representatives in the nation's capital. ...

Milford Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking scheduled for Sunday (03/26/09)
The local alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide. Since 2005, this alliance has given thousands of families across the nation an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership...

East Milwaukee gets to stretch (03/11/09)
The city of Spencer is seeing the first drops of a $789 billion economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama in February. The money was funneled through the Iowa Department of Transportation, to Spencer on Tuesday. The city will receive $422,500 for an extension of East Milwaukee Street through a Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) grant...

Budget cuts concern district patrons (02/24/09)
Members of the Spencer School Board now have two hours of feedback to consider as they re-stack the priorities for another difficult round of budget cuts. Spencer School District Superintendent Greg Ebeling said the district needs to reduce its budget by about $700,000 due, mostly, to continued enrollment declines. He and the Spencer School Board identified 34 areas for potential reduction in a list handed out to district patrons at a public hearing Saturday morning...

'Leadership Spencer' set to begin (02/21/09)
Local residents will have the chance to get a broader view of civic leadership through the Spencer Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Spencer" program. The 11-week, late afternoon program begins March 2. Spencer businessman Kevin Robinson said the Leadership Spencer program is suited for "anyone who is willing to show up with a positive attitude and put the time in."...

Ag Outlook celebrates 25 years (02/18/09)
Ag Outlook celebrated its 25th year with a packed house at the Clay County Regional Events Center on Tuesday. Offering area agriculture professionals and enthusiasts a wide variety of vendors, seminar topics and social networking opportunities, the annual event sponsored by the Spencer Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee received mild weather which in turn seemed to result in large attendance figures...

Uptick in local library usage tied to economic times (02/14/09)
Many libraries are reporting usage spikes for the last half of 2008. Call it a sign of the economic times. While Spencer Public Library Director Kay Larson reported to board members this week that the local statistics were neutral, maybe even a bit down over the last six months, she noted Spencer is starting to see what other libraries are...

Eaton: Furloughed workers won't be coming back (01/22/09)
Company officials with industrial parts and systems maker Eaton Corp. on Wednesday confirmed plans to eliminate 129 positions at the Spencer plant. The new cuts will include the 103 Spencer employees who received an involuntary layoff notice from the company in late December...

Robbery investigation continues (01/10/09)
Spencer Police Chief Mark Lawson on Friday released the surveillance camera images of an armed robbery, which took place Monday night and a convenience store in northwest Spencer. Police are still looking for the man who was photographed walking through the door of the Casey's General Store at the corner of 11th Avenue West and West 18th Street. The photos capture the man, wearing a ski mask, as he appears in the doorway...

Bhutan woman tells of transition from monarchy to democracy (12/17/08)
She may miss the mountains and her national dress of Bhutan, but Tashi Ongmo, a 20-year-old visitor at the Dr. Rick and Barb Wilkerson home in rural Spencer, is still a relatively happy person. But Ongmo should be happy. Like the approximately 700,000 other residents of Bhutan, she believes in the pursuit of Gross National Happiness, the country's overarching political philosophy which seeks to balance material progress with spiritual well-being...

YMCA recognizes its 'Agents of Wealth' (12/06/08)
A Thursday noon gathering at the Spencer Family YMCA recognized its "Agents of Wealth" at the 23rd annual luncheon in their honor. Susan Zulk, the YMCA Board president, welcomed the large group in attendance and thanked them for their continued support both in words and dollars...

Estherville's Dakota Pack, Inc. honored with Venture Award (12/06/08)
The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) on behalf of Iowa's rural electric cooperatives and member municipal electric systems has honored eight distinguished Iowa companies with the Iowa Venture Award. The Iowa Venture Award ceremony is among the longest running business recognition events in Iowa. IADG has recognized and honored over 170 of Iowa's finest business leaders and companies with the prestigious Iowa Venture Award...

Generation Iowa makes legislative recommendations (12/04/08)
Local Generation Iowa Commission members and local elected officials held press conferences Wednesday in five Iowa locations to discuss the 2008 Status Report from the Generation Iowa Commission. The report includes an analysis of progress made in the last year and updated legislative recommendations to the Iowa State Legislature to recruit and retain young people in Iowa...

Johnson seeks GOP's No. 2 post Tuesday Democrats retain Kibbie as senate president (11/18/08)
Senate Democrats, their numbers at the highest level ever, on Sunday rewarded top leaders with another two years in office and vowed to tackle a state budget that's struggling because of the economic slowdown. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, and Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, won new two-year terms without opposition...

Bailout passes Senate, House foes soften (10/02/08)
WASHINGTON -- After one spectacular failure, the $700 billion financial industry bailout found a second life Wednesday, winning lopsided passage in the Senate and gaining ground in the House, where Republicans opposition softened. Senators loaded the economic rescue bill with tax breaks and other sweeteners before passing it by a wide margin, 74-25, a month before the presidential and congressional elections...

Obama, McCain argue over taxes, federal spending (09/27/08)
OXFORD, Miss. -- Barack Obama accused presidential rival John McCain of supporting Bush administration policies that produced the current economic crisis Friday night in their first debate of the campaign for the White House. Both men readily agreed Congress must act soon to prevent millions of Americans from losing their jobs and homes...

Harkin calls for close look at bailout plan (09/27/08)
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin on Thursday cautioned Congress against being "stampeded" into a massive bailout of the nation's financial system. His concerns came as an Iowa legislative leader said he was worried that a severe economic downturn could hurt a state budget already under pressure...

Bailout deal stalls as GOP lawmakers revolt (09/26/08)
WASHINGTON -- A Repub-lican revolt stalled urgent efforts to lash together a national economic rescue plan Thursday, a chaotic turnaround on a day that had seemed headed for a success that President Bush, both political parties and their presidential candidates could celebrate at an extraordinary White House meeting...

Local group addresses housing needs (09/04/08)
A group of local residents and community leaders are banding together to help meet the need for affordable housing throughout Clay County. The Clay County Local Housing Trust Fund, Inc., was created to assist low income individuals, families and the elderly through grants and low- or no-interest loans to rehabilitate the county's aging housing stock...

Business climate healthy in Corridor region (09/03/08)
The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has released its second annual report of interviews conducted with 25 existing industries throughout the Corridor region. The conclusion from this year's interviews is that the region's business climate is healthy...

Supervisors race features six candidates (05/31/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Republicans have a choice on the ballot as the party tries to find two nominees for a pair of available seats on the Clay County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Del Brockshus of Spencer is near the end of his fourth term. He has filed to run again...

DCA director to address Cultural Convention (05/21/08)
The Clay County Cultural Convention will take place at the new Middle School in Spencer beginning at 6 pm Tuesday, May 27. Cyndi Pederson, director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, will be the keynote speaker. The Cultural Convention is sponsored by the Spencer Alliance for a Creative Economy, or SPACE...

SPACE announces regional convention for cultural workers (05/16/08)
The organizations and cultural non-profits that make up the Spencer Alliance for a Creative Economy (SPACE) are hosting a regional gathering for cultural workers and other creative types in the northwest Iowa region. The Clay County Cultural Convention will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the new Middle School in Spencer...

Council authorizes property purchase (04/29/08)
Members of the Spencer City Council on Monday night authorized the sale of a city lot as part of an economic development package. The vote came during a special meeting of the council. General Machine Works owner Eugene Wood would like land to construct a 110- by 85-foot expansion at a site near West Second Street. The company manufactures electric clutches and hydraulic valves for industrial and farming equipment...

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