Blog

For nearly 30 years, Tim Fox has played a leading role in all matters pertinent to economic development in Floyd County, IA. As CEO of Charles City Area Development Corporation (CCADC), Fox has helped recruit new companies to the region, assisted existing businesses in growing, and overseen various projects “from...Continue Reading

Many rural Iowa communities face a whirlwind of daunting challenges, including workforce and housing shortages, childcare gaps, infrastructure needs, shifting demographics and economic transitions. For residents, entrepreneurs, and local leaders, these adversities often simultaneously impact their communities, making it intimidating to identify and implement solutions.For over three decades, the University...Continue Reading

This July, Lake Mills, IA, will be buzzing with activity as community members and visitors flock downtown for the cherished annual July Jubilee celebration. Featuring three packed days of family fun during the weekend of July 10-12, July Jubilee is one of Lake Mills’ most anticipated community events. Lake Mills Chamber of Commerce...Continue Reading

Steve Hanson feels an immeasurable connection to his 10-acre farmstead in Worth County, IA, a few miles outside Northwood. In 1945, his grandparents purchased the property and ran it as a typical Iowa farm, growing corn and soybeans and raising livestock, including hogs, cattle, and chickens.Hanson’s parents became the next...Continue Reading

Every community has a story to tell and a history, allowing the memories of the past to be cherished while a course for the future is plotted. Forest City, IA, is a charming community in Winnebago County with a rich heritage as a former industrial hub with strong educational roots...Continue Reading

Natural resource management is important in Worth County too - read about how local leaders balance economic opportunity with conservation.When Chris Barber thinks about just how much the landscape of Iowa has changed over the last 200 years, his passion for preserving the region’s natural grandeur is only reinforced.Barber, Director...Continue Reading

Natural resource management is important in Winnebago County, too - read about its economic impact there.When it comes to managing natural resources, local leaders face a balancing act. On one hand, leveraging those resources can yield significant economic benefits, but conservation is key to ensuring residents and visitors alike can...Continue Reading

What began more than a decade ago as a vision to better serve veterans across Winnebago and Worth counties came full circle on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, when Melissa Michaelis, Executive Director of Winn-Worth Betco, was surprised with the very first Home Base Iowa Community Champion Award.The award was presented...Continue Reading

The City of Fertile is proud to announce that it has officially joined more than 125 Iowa communities and counties in becoming a designated Home Base Iowa (HBI) Community—a meaningful commitment to honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans and active service members.Home Base Iowa is a statewide initiative that connects...Continue Reading

The city of Manly has joined more than 125 other Iowa entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service members with more than 2,300 businesses statewide who have pledged...Continue Reading

The city of Grafton has joined more than 125 other Iowa entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service members with more than 2,300 businesses statewide who have pledged...Continue Reading

Strategic Economic Development Lessons from Rural IowaThe typical rural Iowa community, with lush landscapes and plenty of outdoor space, has untapped potential as an eco-tourism or recreational hub. That community’s reality, however, is likely hindered by aging or insufficient infrastructure.Local champions who move decisively to develop plans that generate financial...Continue Reading

Connecting government decisions and economic developmentWorkforce. Housing, Infrastructure. Business attraction, retention and expansion. These are the oft-used descriptive terms of economic development. But a project’s ability to impact a community’s growth can be accelerated or derailed by one critical factor: government policy. State and local policies shape the potential for...Continue Reading

The city of Joice has joined more than 125 other Iowa entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service members with more than 2,300 businesses statewide who have pledged...Continue Reading

The city of Leland has joined more than 125 other Iowa entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service members with more than 2,300 businesses statewide who have pledgedto...Continue Reading

The cities of Rake & Thompson have joined more than 125 other Iowa local entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Both communities were celebrated on Wednesday, September 10th.Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service...Continue Reading

Tourism is a strategic driver of economic growth, regional identity, and community development across the state. North Iowa plays an important role in attracting visitors to the state each year and encouraging them to explore local communities as a final destination or an overnight on a longer excursion. Emerging opportunities...Continue Reading

Entrepreneurship is one of the strongest catalysts for economic development, job creation, and long-term community vitality. For the past 25 years, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) has offered consistent examples of how nurturing business ideas at every stage of development can drive economic...Continue Reading

The cities of Kensett & Hanlontown have joined more than 125 other Iowa local entities who have chosen to show their support for Iowa Veterans by becoming an HBI community. Both communities were celebrated on Friday, June 20th.Home Base Iowa is a one-of-kind program designed to connect veterans and service...Continue Reading

Enhancing connectivity and expanding essential infrastructure creates a welcoming environment for retaining and attracting businesses. Updated infrastructure helps companies reduce production costs, enhance and expand operations, add jobs, and increase efficiency for companies. In Winnebago and Worth Counties, Alliant Energy is a crucial partner for economic growth and works alongside economic...Continue Reading

North Iowa is poised to make significant progress in addressing its housing challenges with the upcoming Housing Conference scheduled for April 24, 2025, at The Music Man Square in Mason City. Organized by many regional partners alongside  Winn-Worth Betco, this event promises to be an essential gathering of experts, policymakers,...Continue Reading

A Warm Welcome to Winnebago CountyNestled in northern Iowa, Winnebago County offers more than scenic landscapes—it’s a community where neighbors become friends, and life feels a little brighter. For Kenneth and Carol Umbaugh, this sense of community has made Forest City, the county seat, a cherished home. Their journey to...Continue Reading

Transitioning from military to civilian life is a significant step for service members. The Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge Program is designed to ease this transition by offering invaluable civilian work experience through training, apprenticeships, and internships. For the communities in Winnebago and Worth Counties, this program presents a unique...Continue Reading