April Showers

You know when you've invited a guest to your home and they arrive much later than promised? It's annoying and tiresome sitting at the window, waiting for them to turn in the drive. Well, we invited Spring over to our home months ago. It's about time she showed up!

In spite of the cold, wet weather, April has been an incredibly busy month for community development in Montezuma.

• We have secured $2000 from the South Central Iowa Solid Waste Agency to go toward a community beautification project and to build raised garden beds for the Galaxy Youth Summer Program, complete with refurbished rain barrels and compost. 
• The Montezuma Library Board has partnered with our community beautification efforts for Montezuma and have agreed to help fund some new landscaping projects around the library and the city offices. 
• We have received $2000 from the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation for the relocation and preservation of the Civil War monument. Advocates of historic preservation in the community will be working with the Legion in ironing out the details of this project. 
• As spring approaches, be on the lookout for new bike racks in town! We are working with Grinnell Regional Medical Center and the CDC on this project. 
• In conjunction with the Montezuma Lions City-Wide Cleanup, volunteers helped MCD clean up the downtown and prepare the planters to be planted in the coming weeks. 

As always, we are looking to widen and deepen our support both in the community and with those connected to Montezuma. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to give to Montezuma Community Development, please contact us at montezumaiowaorg@yahoo.com or montezumaiowa.org. 

Also, for those of you not living in Montezuma, we would love to hear what it would take to get you to consider our beautiful little town. Please fill out the following survey.

Click here to take survey

In Montezuma Blue, 

Derek Bates

Interim Executive Director

Montezuma Community Development

501 East Main St., PO Box 314, Montezuma, IA 50171

641-623-7600

Two business expansions in Montezuma

PRESS RELEASE - April 4, 2013

Montezuma Community Development Corporation is pleased to announce the successful negotiation of two business expansions on the east side of Montezuma’s historic square.  In December 2012, Montezuma Community Development purchased approximately 6000 square feet of prime retail space for future mixed-use development.  

The first phase of the development project will be completed with two professional office expansions.  Family Dentistry of Grinnell will begin construction immediately on approximately 2500 square feet of space located at 103 South 4^th Street.  The full-service satellite clinic will initially be open three days a week and is expected to be in operation by June 2013.  

Mahaffey Law Office at 107 South 4^th Street will also be taking on a 1200 square foot office expansion as an annex to their current space.  The law office is expecting to grow in the near future and plans to accommodate for additional staff and meeting space.

Montezuma Community Development continues to plan for the remaining portion of the building which housed the former Apple Basket Restaurant and Grill.  The organization is currently accepting business proposals to lease the space for restaurant or retail use.  Prospective plans should include a business narrative, 2-3 years of cash flow projections, and available cash or secured financing for start-up.  

Dr. David Smith of Family Dentistry
with MCD Director Derek Bates and
Board President Aaron McCaslen. 

To find out more information or to request a tour of the building, please contact the Montezuma Community Development office at 641-623-7600.

Welcome Newcomers! 

Thank to the many who visited our table last night at the Montezuma Business Expo!  And thank you to the Montezuma Community Boosters for sponsoring another great event in our community. 

 

We have several folks signed up to volunteer for our community beautification efforts this spring and summer, but the more we have, the more we share in all the fun!  Dates will soon be announced for spring planting and rosters will be put together for watering and maintenance.  Several groups and organizations have also expressed interest to adopt our city's gateways and other landscaped areas this year.  Don't forget to check with your people and get back to us at MCD.  We need your support to make this a more attractive community and better place to live. There is even a rumor that plans for a new community garden are underway.  Green thumbs unite! 

 

For more information or to provide updates on your recruiting efforts, give us a call at the MCD office, 641-623-7600, or feel free to drop an email to us at montezumaiowaorg@yahoo.com.  Get Involved!

Bates Named as MCD Interim Director

The Board of Directors for Montezuma Community Development Corporation has named Derek Bates as the Interim Director for the organization.  The appointment began this week following the resignation of Terence Blain announced at the end of February.  Blain will remain in his post until March 29, and will be working with Bates during the transition.  Bates will officially take the helm on April 1. 

Bates is a 2004 graduate of Montezuma High School and a 2008 graduate of Grinnell College.  He is one of two creative minds behind Simone's Cuppa, a local coffee shop enterprise that opened downtown in 2011.  Derek is very involved in the community and serves on the Certified Local Government.  The CLG Program is a preservation partnership between local, state and national governments focused on promoting historic preservation at the grass roots level.  Montezuma’s CLG was instrumental in providing the support and research needed to nominate Montezuma’s historic downtown as National Historic District, of which Bates was a part. 

Bates will be working with the board of directors while sustaining the efforts of the organization and working to implement strategies to better the community.  This includes an amplified community beautification project this spring and summer, a new community event, and working with downtown stakeholders on the hopeful façade project that is pending a grant from the state.  The board will take the next several months to make long range plans on how to grow the effort and make decisions about how to move forward with a permanent staff position. 

For questions regarding the transition, please contact the MCD office at 641-623-7600 or speak with a member of the board.  Board members are Aaron McCaslen, Joel Kercheval, Christy McCaslen, Jo Ahrens, Andrea Martin, Charlie Sheets and Clayton Hjelmland. 

County Seat Market Fair

Begins Memorial Day Weekend

A newly organized Main Street event under the umbrella of Montezuma Community Development will be launching on Friday, May 24.  A group comprised of local growers, food producers and arts and crafts enthusiasts has joined ranks to spearhead the summer event which will provide a combination of a traditional farmers market with area crafters and live music.  Following the Memorial Day start, the Market Fair will run the first and third Friday during the months of June through August.  The season will conclude on Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 30.  There will be 8-events from 4-7 p.m. throughout the season.

The planning committee is seeking vendors.  The $50 seasonal vendor fee will support event planning, promotion and funding for future community development projects.  Prorated season fees may be considered based on available space.  Vendors should supply their own table, tent, and electricity if needed.  Vendors selling potentially hazardous foods will need to show their state license to do so.  Prepared foods and baked items should list ingredients and possible allergens. The committee is also seeking business or corporate sponsors for entertainment, and organizations who would like to adopt an event for a cookout or meal as a local fundraiser. 

Please contact the MCD office for more information, 641-623-7600.
www.countyseatmarketfair.org

Don't Stop Now!

A Letter from Terence Blain, Executive Director

 

 

On Thursday, February 28th, the Board of Directors of Montezuma Community Development accepted my resignation as Executive Director of the organization.  This news has traveled quickly appearing in the newspaper, discussion at around the coffee table and online.  I wanted to take a moment to provide words of explanation and encouragement as I hope Montezuma will continue to look ahead.

 

I had no idea what was on the horizon for me when I returned to my hometown late in 2011.  But somewhere along the line (perhaps it was a secret ingredient in my cheesecake), I was soon appointed into a unique role in the community with great responsibility.  It has been my pleasure to serve in this capacity leading the MCD organization.  Many things have been accomplished and many things are beginning to take shape as the community is starting to unify their vision and forge the important partnerships necessary for the future of our town.  The list of accomplishments from our first year is long, and much of it has been realized because of the dedication and efforts of many in our community who have risen to this challenge.  I want to personally thank the City of Montezuma, Montezuma Light & Power, Montezuma Community Boosters, Poweshiek Iowa Development, our local businesses and industry, civic organizations, private contributors, and countless hours of volunteerism that have gone into laying the ground work for local community development.  I also want to thank our board of directors for their support this past year. 

 

Be Informed.  Get Involved.  Stay Connected.  This has been our tag line and the message I have tried to communicate consistently since our liftoff.  You want something for your community, go get it.  No one will do this for you - not a new director, not a single benefactor, not someone with a magic wand or fairy dust.  Everyone must do their part in their own way to make it happen.  Sitting on the sidelines and waiting for someone else to do it for you, well, I hope you like sitting. 

 

So what's next for Montezuma Community Development?  I have implored upon our board of directors to jump on finding a replacement as soon as possible.  I have also provided several succession planning tools to provide for a smooth transition.  My advice?  Don't stop now! 

 

So what's next for Terence?  Next month I am returning to Chicago where I have spent nearly one-third of my life.  I consider the Second City my second hometown.  Right now I am looking at some other career opportunities, but also very excited to reunite with my network of friends and colleagues there.  I have no regrets for making the return to Montezuma, and I believe that for everything there is a season and purpose.  Even though it was for a short time, I'm certain this is where I was destined to be.  My life's motto is that wherever I go, make a difference.  I again thank all of you that have been a part of helping me live this out over the past 16 months. 

 

I look forward to hearing about and seeing continued progress in Montezuma.  My best to you as you look ahead to a bright future.  Thank you for all that you do to make this a great place for your community. 

 

                                                                                    - Terence Blain

 

 





Montezuma Community Development

Needs Your Help

As a public-private partnership, we rely on funding from both the city, and private support from local businesses and individuals.  We are at a crossroads as we continue funding the organization's work, pay staff, and plan to make investments back into our community.  MCD has an urgent need to raise $15,000 to offset the final 6-months of this year's operating budget.  This is above and beyond the commitments already made by the City of Montezuma and those who have already contributed. 

 

Since April, we have raised over $45,000 to support community beautification and downtown development projects.  Over 85% of those funds have already been invested back into the community, with plans for continued investment in Montezuma underway.  Your help is needed!

 

We thank those of you who have already been generous and we ask for your continued support.  If you have not made a contribution to Montezuma Community Development, we invite you to do so as soon as possible.  We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 

Suggested Giving Levels

 

Individual Level - $150

 

Bronze Partner - $250

 

Silver Partner - $500

 

Gold Partner - $1000

 

Platinum Partner - $5000

Please make your check payable to Montezuma Community Development Corporation, c/o Montezuma State Bank, PO Box 128, Montezuma, IA 50171.  Thank you for your consideration and kind support.  Help us keep Montezuma moving! 

City Pledges $393,000 to Downtown Project

The City of Montezuma has pledged a total of $393,000 to the downtown facade project.  In regular session on Monday evening, Deb Calderwood  of Poweshiek Development and Terence Blain of Montezuma Community Development presented updated cost estimates the the City council as the project has continued to evolve and the level of local support has increased.

 

The City had already committed $63,000 towards the project in December, however the council wanted to find other solutions to assist building owners and the community in achieving the needed transformation for Montezuma's downtown.  Letters of support and financial match for individual projects are still coming in, but the initial cost estimates are nearing $1.3M.  Should Montezuma receive the CDBG funding for the facade work, the City agreed to contribute an additional $330,000 through a bond. 

 

Last Friday an anonymous donor offered a $25,000 challenge grant to encourage continued private investment for the downtown project.  Funding is still needed to use as local match for the grant application that is due February 1. The higher the local match through both public and private sources, the better the application will score and the more likely Montezuma's project will be funded.  Individual projects may also be reduced by 15% to maximize the available funding.

Funding Spreadsheet Up-to-Now:

CDBG Funding Source    $500,000 (maximum award)
Building Contribution      $130,000 (minimum match)
City Contribution             $363,000 (all funding combined)
Challenge Grant               $25,000 (private funding source)

Total Possible Funding:  $1,018,000

Private funding against the $25,000 challenge grant can be made through the Montezuma Community Development Downtown Revitalization Fund.  MCD is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  Contact our office for details at 641-623-7600, or send a check or letter of support to us at PO Box 314, Montezuma, Iowa 50171. 

 

This blog is read throughout the United States and other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and the Ukraine.  Anyone out there want to meet the $25,000 challenge?  As always, we appreciate all financial support for Montezuma Community Development's operating budget and special projects. 

Thank you to the City of Montezuma for your increased participation!