Mitchell County Economic Development Commission
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Press Releases For Immediate Release March 20, 2008
Entrepreneur Classes Well Underway
More than 20 entrepreneurs from across North Iowa have been participating in FastTrac® NewVenture™ classes held in Osage since February 21st. “Response has been much greater than we expected. In fact, we have had to move the class to a larger location to accommodate more students. We are thrilled with the response!” states Brenda Dryer, Executive Director for the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission.
FastTrac® NewVenture™ encourages participants to evaluate and design a business concept and write a feasibility plan. Approaches to marketing, creating a market penetration strategy, understanding the customer, and pricing methods are also discussed along with various other topics. Instructor Rich Petersen explains, “I am really impressed with the broad turnout of participants from across North Iowa. The variety of business ventures represented by these class members is fantastic. This is one of the largest and most energized classes we have had in our ten-year history.
This class has been co-sponsored by the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission, Charles City Area Development, and the NIACC John Pappajohn Center. The class will soon move to Charles City for the next 5 weeks of classes.
The next regional FastTrac®
NewVenture™ class is scheduled to meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning
April 1 and ending May 1. The course will be held on the NIACC campus. ####
David Namanny Press-News Editor Osage, IA 50461 PH:641-732-3721 FAX:641-732-5689
For Immediate Release – February 21, 2008
TOPS Osage to Expand Operations
Mitchell County – Earlier today the Board of Directors for the Iowa Department of Economic Development approved an application in support of an expansion that will create 12 new and retain 12 existing jobs in the TOPS manufacturing facility located in Osage, Iowa.
This project is due in part to the recent RR Donnelley acquisition of Cardinal Brands. RR Donnelley, the parent company of TOPS will move four product lines from Cardinal’s plant in Mexico to Osage, Iowa.
“We were thrilled to hear that the Board of Directors for the Iowa Department of Economic Development approved the TOPS application. It is always good to announce a new company coming to a community; it is even better news when one of our existing companies decides to enhance their operations in Mitchell County. It has been my pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with the Osage TOPS management team on this expansion project. The jobs to be created and retained as a result of this project will offer wonderful employment opportunities!” states Brenda Dryer, Executive Director for the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission.
The Mitchell County Economic Development Commission extends their thanks to the staff and elected officials of Osage for their support of this project. The MCEDC wishes TOPS much success as they begin to implement this project in Mitchell County. Persons interested in the new positions to be created as a result of this expansion should contact the TOPS facility located at 1120 Heritage Drive / Osage or by calling 641.732.5877.
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Mitchell County has been ranked in the top 15 best places to live in the Midwest by “The Progressive Farmer,” magazine Each year “The Progressive Farmer” and “OnBoard LLC,” a real estate research firm team up to conduct the survey. First they crunch numbers and then hit the road for a first-hand look. The researchers begin by putting together a preliminary list of rural counties that meet certain criteria. The staff looks at household income, household spending, home and land prices, crime rates, air quality, education, access to health care- all the things that can indicate a snapshot of places the magazines rural readers would want to call home. Then for several months out of the year, the magazine's team of editors travels to the top counties, taking pictures, interviewing residents and getting the lay of the land. Crime rates and pollution rates are determined by using a national average of 100. Mitchell County’s personal crime rate, for example is 10, which means residents are only one-tenth as likely to experience a crime as someone is living in the average Midwest County. Other categories include heath care providers per person within the county and leisure activities. In comparison to other similar counties that made the list in Iowa, such as Wright and Sac counties, Mitchell County seems lag only in the percentage of college bound students and health care density (but is still above the national average in both categories.) “Mitchell County has lots to be proud of,” said County Supervisor Chair Stan Walk, who saw the ranking early last week in the Des Moines Register. :”It says a lot for all aspects of the county- it says we have had good leadership in our schools, city government and county government. Its says Mitchell County is on the right path for providing vital services and strengthening our economic development base. Baby boomers wanting to retire and younger families looking for a clean environment, healthy lifestyle, low cost of living, quality schools, low crime area and friendly communities should consider moving here.” “It has been a fun couple weeks as our growth and quality of life here in Mitchell County has been recognized on a regional and multi-state level,” said Brenda Dryer, Executive Director of Mitchell County Economic Development. “We are truly blessed with the quality of life, wonderful schools, and great business and industry that we have in forward.” Mitchell County is ranked among the top five in terms of air quality and lowest crime rate. Overall, the local area out does the average rural county by leaps and bounds. Those who would like to see the top 60 counties and judge for themselves, the statistics can be found online at http://www.progressivefarmer.com/ !
ECONOMIC
EDUCATION
CRIME
HEALTH CARE
CLIMATE
CULTURE
HOW TO READ THESE STATISTICS
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