(Photo submitted) Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation honored Dave Woodcock and Gary Tolzmann of Farmers Trust and Savings Bank with the Chairman's Award. Presented by outgoing Chairman Steve Grell of Community State Bank, the award is considered each year to citizen volunteers that help further the mission and goals of the Corridor.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation released their annual report to investors at the Annual Meeting held at the Little Swan Lake Winery in Superior.

"Fiscal year 2007-08 was another successful year for the Corridor organization and for this region," said Kathy Evert, president of the Iowa Lakes Development Corporation.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation celebrated achieving and exceeding their goals of building more partnerships, expanding new primary job opportunities and promoting the area as the place to live work and play. The Corridor assisted seven companies that pledged to create 241 new jobs, retain 71 jobs and invest over $20 million. The annual jobs goal was 150. The organization also generated over 266 contacts leading to 36 potential projects and prospects during the year. More than 28 other businesses and industries were assisted as were two entrepreneurial start-up businesses. Twenty-five existing industry interviews were conducted and a second annual report was prepared.

The organization honored Dave Woodcock and Gary Tolzmann of Farmers Trust and Savings Bank with the Chairman's Award. The award, presented by outgoing Chairman Steve Grell of Community State Bank, is considered each year to citizen volunteers that help further the mission and goals of the Corridor. "Dave and Gary worked countless hours on behalf of the Corridor and economic development of the region this past year," said Grell. "We appreciate all they and their financial institution have done for us."

Other successes included providing a supportive and nurturing environment for entrepreneurs with the 2nd Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute for university students and the Be Your Own Boss seminar for over 200 high school students, as well as entrepreneurial training for area high school teachers and more than 75 people.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has also successfully promoted the four county area of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties to potential workers and residents through the LiveWorkPlay Here Relay and the Why Go Back? Campaign, as well as a Workforce Advisory Council, career fairs and a regional employment directory.

"It is an exciting time to be a part of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation," said new chairman Curt Johnson of Bank Midwest in Okoboji. "As we begin the 17th year of working as a region, let's work even more closely together to convince others that this is the place to live, work and play."

* For more information on the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation visit www.lakescorridor.com