Thursday, April 12, 2012
Community Development in Montezuma
The new Montezuma Community Development office opened earlier this month, and although not much fanfare, the excitement and support throughout the community have been tremendous. MCD is looking forward to a new role in bringing the City and the community together to build on our potential to accomplish great things.
Montezuma Community Development, a 501c3 non-profit corporation, works to positively impact the future of the City of Montezuma and the surrounding area through time-bound improvement strategies for the common good of the greater community.
Meet the Board of Directors
Accepting a position on the board of directors for any non-profit organization is an important role, especially for a community organization like ours. Montezuma Community Development is governed by a 9-member board that represents key stakeholders throughout the Montezuma community. Our current board of directors is represented by the city, county, small business and local industry, education, and community services and organizations. The board meets each month to hear the director's monthly report, and to provide input and support for the organization's initiatives. MCD Board of Directors:
Aaron McCaslen, President
Margaret Hutchinson, Vice-President
Christy McCaslen, Secretary
Joel Kercheval, Treasurer
Charlie Sheets
Clayton Hjelmeland
Andrea Martin
Jo Ahrens
Iowa Economic Development Visits Montezuma
On Thursday, April 12, Derek Lord of IED visited with a small group of local officials and community leaders to share information about a grant program for downtown revitalization. The information presented supports the sustainability of Iowa’s downtowns and communities, including efforts to assist with historic preservation. Montezuma has been considering this “façade” program for several months. This movement comes on the heels of learning that Montezuma’s historic corridor will be listed as a National Historic District. (According to Montezuma’s Certified Local Government group, the official announcement will be made early this summer). Based on a community our size, and with the necessary commitment of building and business owners throughout a designated zone, Montezuma could be eligible for up to $500,000 for revitalization. Next steps would include the city joining ranks with a downtown development group that can work together to advocate the need and long term benefits of such a project in Montezuma.
Director’s Quill
As the MCD office has now officially launched, and throughout my local travels, there have been many suggestions and questions that have been offered as the community is beginning to understand the role of a development office. It is my thinking that the organization and director position will evolve in a variety of exciting (and uncertain) ways. As much as I wish I could solve all of the issues, needs, wants in the first week – well, I’m only human and unable to replicate.
Addressing the community’s need for speed coupled with more reliable access for Internet service is just one area that I have been reaching out and asking for help with on your behalf. Many business owners have expressed frustration about their inability to conduct business in the way they need to. I hope to have better answers on these issues in the coming weeks. Having the necessary capacity and “redundancy” to do business effectively in our technology-driven economy is important, and working to solve the problem with a unified voice is vital to sustaining (and attracting) a growing economic climate in Montezuma. If you have called with other suggestions or questions, I want you to know that you have been heard. Your comments go immediately on a post-it and into my handy suggestion box next to my desk. I will follow-up as I can.
Now to the other business. I have identified three top line priorities for MCD: Housing, Daycare, and Community Renewal. The first two are obvious, and much work has already been done in these areas. MCD is just beginning to gather information on how we can assist the process by setting tangible goals for 3-months, 6-months and 1-year. We hope to unveil a more specific plan in the near future and will offer a public forum to share the information with the community. Then there is Community Renewal. What is that anyway? Renewal for communities takes shape in a variety of ways; the first initiative will be for beautification of our downtown and core commercial areas. If you’ve read this far, you already know about this. And you’ve probably heard a lot about cleaning-up and planting trees, shrubs and flowers! The second initiative is to introduce façade improvement and historical preservation grant programs for our downtown and core commercial areas. This too will take time, but noticeable improvements to visually enhance our community are just weeks away! Stay tuned for more...
Terence Blain, MCD Director
MCD Requests Your Support
As a non-profit, the Montezuma Community Development Corporation relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations and other entities to support our annual operating budget. We would appreciate the offering of any type of in-kind or financial support. Please contact the MCD office for specifics. The benefits of membership in the organization will be introduced in the near future.
Paint Iowa Beautiful Grant Received
MCD is proud to announce that Montezuma has been awarded a grant for 2012 through Paint Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel Paint. Approximately half the grant award has been committed to the Poweshiek County Historical Society and Museum for paint upgrades to the window and door frames and railings of both of their facilities on the southwest side of the square. The other half is up for grabs for one lucky business of the square. Please contact the MCD office to apply for funding. The deadline to apply for funding is May 15, 2012. Strong consideration will be made for the business or building owner that follows these guidelines:
Present a plan design including colors.
- Paint cannot be used for signage.
- Present a project timeline.
- All projects must be completed in 2012.Hiring a local paint service to assist with your project is encouraged.
- Recipient must purchase paint from Diamond Vogel (Newton outlet).
- Other painting supplies should be purchased from a local retailer.
- Before and after photos of your project are required.
- Reimbursement of your paint expenses (up to 10 gallons) will be given at the completion of the project and if all the guidelines have been followed.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Community Clean-Up & Earth Day Celebration
Bring your work gloves, rakes, brooms and dustpans this Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. (April 21-22) to the Public Library! We will work together to clear debris and landscape waste from the downtown area. A public awareness recycling campaign and drawings for door prizes will be available when signing-in to receive your job assignments. Prizes include garden tools, earth-friendly cleaners, seed packets, energy efficient bulbs, solar lights, and more. Free pre-packaged coffee grounds from Simone’s Cuppa will also be available for your home gardening projects. Refreshments will be provided by the Boosters and Subway! Sign-ups for planting and summer care projects will also be taken. Give your town a big greenie-weenie Earth Day hug and volunteer!!
Calling All Master Gardeners!
ISU Extension is inviting all Master Gardeners and those interested in becoming Master Gardeners to attend an informational session on Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 p.m. at the Montezuma Public Library. Master Gardeners are individuals who have an interest in horticulture, have taken the Master Gardener training offered by Iowa State University Extension, and share their time and expertise with other gardeners. It is the acquisition of knowledge, the skill in gardening, and giving back to the community that distinguishes a Master Gardener from other gardeners. Information on Montezuma’s planting and summer care projects will also be available.
Community Daycare Update
After visiting several daycare centers in the region, members of our local daycare committee met on Friday, April 13th to discuss next steps in the process of opening an infant through 5 year-old daycare facility in Montezuma. The building has been secured, and estimates have been provided to retrofit this building for a new operation. According to committee member Meryll Hicks, funding is the biggest obstacle. City officials met in regular session this past week and committed to the project. Understanding licensing requirements, locating a qualified operator, and forming a board of directors to spearhead the project are also needed before moving forward. The MCD office is making local and regional contacts to identify the latter.
Housing Wanted
Single-family, affordable and moderate income level housing needed in Montezuma, NOW. MCD will meet with city staff this coming week to get a project update on the south housing development proposed to bring as many as 24 new lots. Some private development may also be happening in the near future. Stay tuned….
Director’s Quill
I just finished cashing in a scholarship to attend a week-long intensive training at the Heartland Economic Development Course. Approximately 80 other students from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma joined me in Kansas City for the five-day course which focused on all aspects of community development including strategic planning and positioning for future successes in the areas of business retention and expansion. Each of the course faculty was top-notch and very experienced in their profession. I came away with a greater knowledge of the trends in development and resources available, particularly for rural communities. I was joined in Kansas City by Laura Mannatt with Poweshiek Iowa Development and Angela Harrington with the Grinnell Chamber. All three of us were very impressed with the course content and have already been brainstorming ways that we can all work together to strengthen our region. All three of us graduated from the course, which is a pre-requisite for on-going professional development and certification (CEcD). Thank you to the City of Montezuma for providing hotel accommodations and meals, and Poweshiek Iowa Development for taking care of mileage. Much thanks!
We ended the week enjoying some great Kansas City BBQ and listening to dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon in the Light & Power District downtown KC. And I’m sorry to hear that I missed all the rain this week. I understand it was a good week to be a duck in Montezuma.
I will be introducing the bones of a strategic plan to MCD’s board of directors this week. We have much work to accomplish together, and I am counting on the Montezuma community to be involved in the exciting process ahead. More to come.
I am also looking forward to attending the Iowa Statewide Historic Preservation Conference in Decorah in just a few days. I want to thank members of our Certified Local Government and the Montiques for providing financial sponsorship for me to attend this conference on behalf of the community.
Terence Blain, MCD Director
Interested in Downtown Revitalization?
An informational meeting for those interested in downtown revitalization has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 8th and will be offered at two times, 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Business and building owners, historic preservationists, and those interested in bringing new life to Montezuma’s downtown should plan to attend. This is an informational meeting to talk about the process and the community’s role within the city. Each meeting will be held at the Montezuma Public Library. Open to the public!
MCD Requests Your Support
As a non-profit, the Montezuma Community Development Corporation relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations and other entities to support our annual operating budget. We would appreciate any type of financial support or in-kind support offered. Please contact the MCD office for specifics. The benefits of membership in the organization will be introduced in the near future.
Paint Iowa Beautiful Grant Received
(As of Friday, April 20th there have been no applicants for this grant).
MCD is proud to announce that Montezuma has been awarded a grant for 2012 through Paint Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel Paint. Approximately half the grant award has been committed to the Poweshiek County Historical Society and Museum for paint upgrades to the window and door frames and railings of both of their facilities on the southwest side of the square. The other half is up for grabs for one lucky business of the square. Please contact the MCD office to apply for funding before May 15th. Strong consideration will be made for the business or building owner that follows these guidelines:
- Present a plan design including colors.
- Paint cannot be used for signage.
- Present a project timeline. All projects must be completed in 2012.
- Hiring a local painter to assist with your project is encouraged Recipient must purchase paint from Diamond Vogel (Newton outlet).
- Other painting supplies should be purchased from a local retailer.
- Before and after photos of your project are required.
- Reimbursement of your paint expenses (up to 10 gallons) will be given at the completion of the project and if all the guidelines have been followed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)