Clarke County Manufacturing Jobs Surplus Means Big Opportunity

manufacturing job surplus clarke county iowa

It’s been a year since Clarke County was hit by the COVID-19 crisis and local manufacturers had to creatively manage their workforce assets. In April of 2020, the county’s unemployment rate jumped from 3.4% to 11.8%, and more than 100,000 workers across the state were displaced, laid

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Pulling for Pork – When Community Comes Together, Businesses Win

Timber Ridge Country Market Osceola iowa

Timber Ridge Country Market’s experience with the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s Pulled Pork Madness showed what real community support could do. The businesses in Osceola and Clarke County, Iowa thrive on community support. From small, family-owned shops to big manufacturers, businesses of all sizes depend on the

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With $50K CCDC Grant, OCMS Launches New Building Improvement Opportunities

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In the March 10th meeting of the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC), the board unanimously approved a $50,000 grant to Osceola Chamber Main Street (OCMS) to seed an exciting new building improvement program throughout the city. The program, designed and managed by the OCMS Board, is focused

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2021 CCDC Director’s Award Focuses On Future Heroes

ccdc directors award student scolorship

Each year, the board of the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) awards a local business or organization the CCDC Director’s Award. This honor goes out to those who excel in their efforts to promote and sustain business and employment throughout Clarke County. Past winners include Hormel (Osceola

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America’s SBDC-Iowa Launches Rural Business Innovators™

rural business innovators SBDC-Iowa

AMES, Iowa – America’s SBDC Iowa (SBDC) is pleased to announce Rural Business Innovators™, a new initiative for technology and innovation entrepreneurs that live in rural Iowa. This is a start-up accelerator that helps individuals develop their innovative business ideas and connects them to resources, partners and

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Osceola Building Incentive Program Boosts New Home Construction and is Ready for More.

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In the Spring of 2020 the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) completed another development contract through the Osceola Building Incentive Program, making it the fourth home built in the city through the plan. The new home, located off Kossuth and Washington, was built using resources available through

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With Clarke County Unemployment Down, Local Manufacturers Get Creative to Hire

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March of 2020 and the COVID-19 crisis hit the job market in Clarke County like a hammer. Many local businesses, who depend on the area’s deep workforce pool, were forced to reduce staff or shut down completely. This took the pre-COVID unemployment rate that had been hovering

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Shop with a Cop Focused on Giving and Overcoming COVID Challenges

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Since 2016, the Shop with a Cop program has been bringing the community together to help those who may need a little support through the holiday season and to build relationships with local law enforcement. This year, the Clarke County Sheriff’s office, along with the Osceola Police

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Clarke County Reservoir Project Engineering Reports Return with Added Costs

Clarke County Reservoir Project

On September 17, the latest engineering report, including revised cost projections for the Clarke County Reservoir, was submitted to the Clarke County Reservoir Commission by HDR Engineering. With initial engineering and construction costs estimated in 2013 and after geotechnical research revealed numerous unforeseen challenges, the reservoir project

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OCMS, CCDC Partner with IASBDC for #IASBDCMOBILE Communities Free Event

help for small businesses in southern iowa

On October 1st, local business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to a new #IASBDCMOBILE Community event from America’s SBDC Iowa. Held in partnership with Osceola Chamber Main Street and the Clarke County Development Corporation, business experts from around the area will be on hand to discuss unique

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New Osceola Housing Development To Meet Growing Demand

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Mortgage interest rates are rock-bottom right now, and potential homeowners, from young families to retirees, are looking to take advantage of the drop. Unfortunately, properties in Osceola and surrounding areas in the price range suitable for these buyers are scarce, leaving many buyers in limbo. According to

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Changes at Osceola Food Bring New Leadership and Future Growth

john kempen osceola food plant manager

Osceola Food is seeing a changing of the guard, as one plant manager, John Hoag, moves on to new opportunities within the organization, a new leader with new opportunities takes his place. John Kempen has been part of the Hormel Foods family for almost thirty years, and

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Laborshed Study to be Conducted in Clarke County, IA

clarke county laborshed study

The Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for Osceola and the Clarke County, Iowa area.  This study will geographically define which communities contribute to the local workforce, regardless of political boundaries.

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Affinity Gaming’s Lakeside Hotel Casino Announces Casino Reopening

lakeside casino reopening after covid-19 shutdown

Lakeside Hotel Casino, an Affinity Gaming property, today announced that it will have a soft reopening to invited guests June 1 – 2, 2020 and will open to the general public on June 3, 2020 at 10AM. When the Lakeside Hotel Casino opens there will be increased

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How Clarke County Manufacturers are Protecting Their Workforce from COVID-19

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Effective May 1st, in 77 Iowa counties, including Clarke, businesses have been given the green light to open their doors after weeks of silence. Restaurants, fitness centers, libraries, retail shops and more will be opening with some restrictions, and that’s certainly a sign of hope for those

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