Braving negative wind chills in the double-digits and dangerous winter conditions, over 150 Clarke County citizens, local business professionals, and community leaders gathered at the Clarke County Fair Grounds Tuesday for the 2019 Annual Dinner hosted by Osceola Chamber Mainstreet and Clarke County Development Corporation. The Annual Dinner is OCMS’s and CCDC’s way to highlight the successes of the past year while looking ahead to the opportunities of 2019.
With the CCDC celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the board presented a brief overview of the founding of the corporation and highlighted some of the most significant accomplishments made over the past five decades. From the attraction of major industries like Jimmy Dean and Hormel as well as manufacturing staples Altec, SIMCO, Salford, Paul Mueller and others the significance of the development corporation to the local economy is undeniable. On top of business development, the CCDC also illustrated its efforts in community development and the improvement of the quality of life throughout the county with grants fostering programs like Safe Routes to School, the local Parks and Trails updates, Paint the Town Red, Neighbors Helping Neighbors and more.
Below, you can view the CCDC’s 50th Anniversary presentation given at the annual dinner.
During the program, the Development Corporation recognized Kading Properties with their Board of Directors Award for their commitment to the local economy through the development and building of numerous residential sites throughout the city of Osceola. With over 20 years of involvement in Osceola and Clarke County, Kading has built and provides housing for over 190 properties – 40 single-family homes in just the last year – and continues to look for opportunities to collaborate with the city and the development corporation. As part of the award CCDC will donate $1500 to the local nonprofit of Kading’s choice. This year the funds will go toward the Fern Underwood Free Swim. Kading announced they will be matching the donation with an additional $1500.
The work Kading has done for our community is immeasurable,” said Bill Trickey, Executive Director of the Development Corporation. “Our businesses need accessible housing if they want to grow and the Kading properties have been just what our community needed when we needed it most.”
Also recognized by the development corporation was Dr. Jim Kimball for his tenure as CCDC Board President. Dr. Kimball, a long-standing citizen of Clarke County has been involved with the Clarke County Development Corporation for decades, offering his service and commitment to programs ranging from health and wellness grant opportunities to the continued development of the Airport and the Clarke County Reservoir project.
Every year a citizen is recognized for their commitment to improving and supporting the community. This year, the community service award was presented to Deb Adams, undeniably one of the community’s biggest supporters and leaders. Deb’s commitment to the community was developed as a teacher in the Clarke district for over 30 years. Upon retiring she’s done everything she could to keep giving to the community she loves, from reading to children at the elementary school to working, serving on boards, and volunteering at Clarke County Hospital. She’s worked with her church as deacon and elder as well as with the Osceola Public Library helping with everything from budgeting to landscape maintenance. And if that wasn’t enough, Deb and also been a longtime member and held leadership roles with PEO, TTT, Mosaic, and Full Harvest Housing.
Every year Osceola Chamber Mainstreet and the Clarke County Development Corporation hold this dinner to honor the achievements and the people that make the community a better place to live and do business. If you have questions about the Annual Dinner or the programs and awards given during the event, or if you’d like to get involved for the next annual dinner, please contact Osceola Chamber Mainstreet or Clarke County Development Corporation at 115 E Washington St, Osceola, IA 50213, or call 641-342-2944
