Retail Strategies renewal discussed
The Montgomery County Development Corporation held its regular meeting Nov. 12.
Montgomery County Development Corporation director Steve Adams said one of the items on the agenda was discussion of upgrades to the MCDC website.
“We are updating the pictures to better reflect events and activities around Montgomery County and are developing a full inventory of sites for potential development by retail, commercial and industrial projects,” commented Adams.
One of the biggest items on the agenda was to decide whether or not to renew a contract with Retail Strategies for services for a second year. Adams said there was plenty of discussion among the MCDC Board members on whether or not to renew.
“After discussion, and on a vote of six for and three against, the decision was made to renew the contract with RS through June 30 and to re-evaluate our position at that time. We will provide them with updated information regarding potential sites for retail, focus them more into to general merchandise, shoe or clothing stores, put them in contact with regional commercial brokers so that they might work in partnership on new development opportunities, ask them to check in with us bi-monthly rather than monthly and to do a site visit to Montgomery County for at least a full day sometime during the first quarter of 2022,” Adams advised.
Also under discussion was a rural housing assessment grant, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Rural Housing Readiness Assessment workshops.
“Program funding will empower communities to assess the current development environment and enact changes resulting in the creation of policies and procedures attractive to potential developers," Adams said. "The program is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Center for Rural Revitalization in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Forces and ISU Extension and Outreach. Deadline for application is Dec. 1, and a $5,000 cash match is required in order to be eligible for a $10,000 grant. MCDC is contributing the cash match.”
Lastly, Adams said the MCDC fiber committee continues to look for options to provide better internet options in the community.
“The goal is to identify high speed internet options and pursue the best fit for the city of Red Oak and the 623 exchange. We will do this by continuing our fact finding, determining if both state of Iowa and Federal USDA grant funding may be available and investigating other possible providers and determining costs estimates,” Adams explained.
The next regular meeting of the MCDC Board is slated for Dec. 10.