Clarke County’s Western Corridor Advances to Opportunity Zone Designation

On September 23, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Clarke County’s Western Corridor Advances to Opportunity Zone Designation

Clarke County has taken an important step toward becoming a designated Opportunity Zone, with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority approving Census Tract 9603 for Iowa’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 nomination.

The designation encompasses essentially all of Clarke County west of I-35 and could provide a new pathway for attracting private investment!

Click through to read more about this exciting new development…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Smart Shopping, Swift Support Bring New Playground to East Lake Park

On September 23, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Smart Shopping, Swift Support Bring New Playground to East Lake Park

A smart equipment purchase by the Friends of Clarke County Conservation, combined with a quick and flexible response from CCDC, is bringing new playground equipment to East Lake Park. CCDC has approved a NEXUS Spark Grant to help make the project happen.

Check out the latest on the new playground equipment coming to East Lake Park…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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New MIG Welding Course Expands Training Opportunities at SWCC Osceola Center

On September 2, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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New MIG Welding Course Expands Training Opportunities at SWCC Osceola Center

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) is expanding its welding training opportunities in Osceola with a new hands-on MIG welding course beginning throughout October. The 32-hour course will provide practical training in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), with applications in manufacturing, maintenance, fabrication, agriculture and more.

Click through to learn more about this exciting new offer…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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IWD, CCDC to Host South Central Iowa Employer Listening Session

On August 26, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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IWD, CCDC to Host South Central Iowa Employer Listening Session

Iowa Workforce Development and the Clarke County Development Corporation are bringing local business owners, managers, HR professionals and industry leaders together for an Employer Listening Session on September 14.

This is an opportunity to share what you’re seeing in the workplace, from hiring and recruitment challenges to skills gaps, employee retention, and more.

Interested? Click through to the latest update to learn more…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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CCDC Grant Helps Kick It Forward Reach Finish Line on Osceola Mini-Pitch Project

On August 19, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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CCDC Grant Helps Kick It Forward Reach Finish Line on Osceola Mini-Pitch Project

The Osceola Mini-Pitch project is one step closer to becoming a reality. With more than $180,000 already raised, the Kick It Forward team has reached the final stretch of its fundraising campaign—and a $35,000 grant from CCDC will help push the project into construction.

The new facility will add another unique recreational and quality-of-life asset to Osceola, providing a dedicated space for soccer, youth athletics and community activities.

Click through to the latest update to learn more…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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CCDC, SWCC Expand Regional Workforce Development Efforts

On August 5, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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CCDC, SWCC Expand Regional Workforce Development Efforts

Local employers know their workforce needs better than anyone, and now’s the time to help shape local training opportunities.

The CCDC, SWCC, and the Industrial Technology Advisory Board have launched a regional Workforce Training Survey to guide future leadership, technical, and continuing education programming at the ORBIT Center and SWCC Osceola Center. Take a few minutes to participate and help build a stronger workforce for Clarke County.

Read more and access the survey here…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Coming July 2027: Group Workcamps

On July 22, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Coming July 2027: Group Workcamps

Hundreds of student volunteers will travel to Clarke County next summer to provide free home repairs for qualifying residents through the nationally recognized Workcamp program. Homeowners who may benefit from assistance are encouraged to apply now as organizers begin planning for the July 2027 service week.
 
Click through to read more and see how you can apply or volunteer…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Local Fabrication Training Set to Create New Career Pathways

On July 15, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Local Fabrication Training Set to Create New Career Pathways

A new hands-on fabrication course from Southwestern Community College is giving students and working professionals an opportunity to build valuable manufacturing skills without leaving Clarke County. Registration is now open for the fall semester beginning August 25.

Click through to learn more about this great opportunity…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Emergency Cooling Relief Provided to Full Harvest Senior Housing Residents

On July 8, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Emergency Cooling Relief Provided to Full Harvest Senior Housing Residents

When the air conditioning system at Full Harvest Senior Housing unexpectedly failed during one of the hottest stretches of the summer, a quick community-focused response helped ensure residents wouldn’t have to endure dangerous indoor temperatures. Temporary portable air conditioning units, purchased by the CCDC, are now keeping residents cool while a new HVAC system is installed, demonstrating the power of local partnerships and a community that looks after its neighbors.
 
Click through to read more about this special effort…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Hormel/Osceola Foods on the Made in Iowa Podcast

On July 8, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Hormel/Osceola Foods on the Made in Iowa Podcast

The Business Record’s Made in Iowa Podcast host Leisa Fox admits to John Kempen, Plant Manager at Osceola Foods (Hormel) her addiction to all things bacon and John helps explain the operation’s success and how Hormel and Osceola Foods is meeting the demand for meat products across the globe through systems engineering and advanced, predictive A.I. operations.

Click through to watch the most recent Clarke County manufacturing feature…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Altec’s Osceola Body Plant on the Made in Iowa Podcast

On July 1, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Altec’s Osceola Body Plant on the Made in Iowa Podcast

the Des Moines Business Record’s Made in Iowa Podcast.

Podcast host Leisa Fox joins the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) at the ORBIT Center to welcome Nathan Grismore, HR Manager at Osceola’s Altec Body Plant.

Click through to watc the most recent Clarke County manufacturing feature…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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Clarke County’s Paul Mueller Company on the Made in Iowa Podcast

On June 24, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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Clarke County’s Paul Mueller Company on the Made in Iowa Podcast

Clarke County, Iowa manufacturer, Paul Mueller Company, spends some time on the Des Moines Business Record’s Made in Iowa Podcast.

Click through to watch/hear the podcast and the latest workforce innovations brought to Clarke County by the team at Paul Mueller!

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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CCDC Board Approves Nearly $240,000 in Community and Development Grants

On June 17, 2026   /   CCDC, Your News  
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CCDC Board Approves Nearly $240,000 in Community and Development Grants

At its June meeting, the Clarke County Development Corporation Board approved nearly $240,000 in grant funding to support projects across Clarke County. From youth organizations and community infrastructure to continued housing development and emergency facility improvements, these investments reflect CCDC’s commitment to strengthening quality of life, expanding opportunities, and supporting long-term growth across the region.

Read more about the organizations and initiatives receiving support this month…

Clarke County, Iowa has so much more to offer. Click to read more... →
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