Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike at Stephens State Forest.

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike at Stephens State Forest.

Outdoor activities are flourishing across Clarke County. This year, join the staff of Stephens State Forest and Red Haw State Park on a free, guided hike on New Year’s Day for First Day Hike.

Click through to read more and how to get out into nature to kick off the New Year!

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

CCDC Donates Remaining 2025 Community Funds to Local Food Banks

CCDC Donates Remaining 2025 Community Funds to Local Food Banks

As rural Iowa food banks face increased demand and reduced funding, the Clarke County Development Corporation has donated the remainder of its 2025 Community Donation budget to three local food banks.

Click through to read more about the CCDC’s recent donation and how you can help during this holiday season…

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Strengthening Local Health Care: Clarke County Highlights 2026 IHERF Scholarships

Strengthening Local Health Care: Clarke County Highlights 2026 IHERF Scholarships

Clarke County Hospital is encouraging local students and community members to apply for the 2026 IHERF Health Care Careers Scholarships. These awards provide up to $6,000 to support training in high-demand health fields. Help us grow Clarke County’s future health care workforce—applications are open now.

Click through to learn more about the these great opportunities and how to apply…

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

Seeing a Future for Clarke County – CCDC Hosts 2026 Strategic Planning Day

Seeing a Future for Clarke County – CCDC Hosts 2026 Strategic Planning Day

The CCDC and Clarke County community and business leaders recently came together for a day of collaboration, setting bold priorities for 2026 and beyond. By working through challenges and discussing pathways to success, the group prioritized and took a BIG step to making Clarke County a true destination to live, work, and play.

Click through to learn more about the day’s exciting sessions and the future focus for the CCDC…

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

CCDC Approves $191,331 Horizon Grant for the City of Murray

CCDC Approves $191,331 Horizon Grant for the City of Murray

A new Horizon Grant from the CCDC is helping the City of Murray accelerate its vision for parks, housing, and safe community connections. With more than 90% of their project fundraising efforts complete, the Murray community will start seeing some BIG improvements.

Click through to read more about the latest grant and the updates to their projects…

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

ORBIT Center Marks a New Era for South-Central Iowa’s Workforce

ORBIT Center Marks a New Era for South-Central Iowa’s Workforce

The Clarke County Development Corporation and Southwestern Community College celebrated the grand opening of the new ORBIT Center — an advanced training hub designed to strengthen south-central Iowa’s workforce and prepare students and employees for high-demand manufacturing careers.

Click through to read more about the event and how the ORBIT Center will impact the future of business in south-central Iowa…

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More than $23,000 provided to Osceola Big Chief FFA Greenhouse Project

More than $23,000 provided to Osceola Big Chief FFA Greenhouse Project

The Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) has awarded a SPARK Grant for more than $23,000 to help the Osceola Big Chief FFA expand hands-on agricultural education at Clarke Community Schools. The funding will support the installation of a new 12’ x 32’ greenhouse, giving students real-world experience in plant science, sustainability, and agribusiness.

This project—supported through CCDC’s new NEXUS Funding Program will grow more than plants; it will cultivate future leaders, innovators, and community builders right here in Clarke County.

Click through to learn more about this exciting venture for Clarke’s students…

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

Are You Ready for the 2025 Community Non-Profit Forum?

Are You Ready for the 2025 Community Non-Profit Forum?

Each fall, the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) organizes and hosts the Community Non-Profit Forum, offering local organizations a platform to network, share their achievements, and outline their plans for the upcoming year. At this event, local nonprofits and community groups are invited to highlight their biggest

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

CCDC Approves $50,000 Grant to OCMS Building Improvement Program

CCDC Approves $50,000 Grant to OCMS Building Improvement Program

At the October 8th meeting of the Clarke County Development Corporation board of directors a $50,000 grant was approved to support the Osceola Chamber Main Street Building Improvement Program, helping local business owners make vital repairs and upgrades to keep downtown thriving.

This marks the fourth year of partnership between CCDC and OCMS—fueling community growth, preserving historic character, and ensuring our business district continues to shine.

Learn more about this year’s projects and how the program continues to strengthen the heart of Osceola…

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Osceola Water Works Board Moves Forward with Lead Service Line Replacement Project

Osceola Water Works Board Moves Forward with Lead Service Line Replacement Project

At the October 2, 2025 Water Board meeting, a resolution was passed to order construction of Phase 1 of the Lead Service Line replacement project.

Click through to read how this could affect your water lines…

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Osceola Water Works Makes Annual transition to free chlorine

Osceola Water Works Makes Annual transition to free chlorine

During the month of October, Osceola Water Works will make a temporary change in disinfectant to Free Chlorine that will take place starting October 2nd, 2025 and continue through November 5th, 2025.

Click through to the latest feature to learn what that means for your drinking water…

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Osceola Prepares to Launch First-of-Its-Kind Mini-Pitch Facility

Osceola Prepares to Launch First-of-Its-Kind Mini-Pitch Facility

The City of Osceola, in collaboration with Kick It Forward, Osceola Chamber Main Street, and Musco Lighting, is proud to announce the launch of the Osceola Mini-Pitch Initiative. The first of its kind in Clarke County, the Osceola Mini Pitch initiative will offer the chance to play, connect, and grow in a facility that has the quality of a “mini-stadium,” yet the intimacy and accessibility suited for a growing community.

Check out the details surrounding the new initiative and how you can participate…

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Reservoir Draft Plan-EIS Gets Approval to Move on to Next Stage

Reservoir Draft Plan-EIS Gets Approval to Move on to Next Stage

The Clarke County Reservoir project took another big step forward when Scott Cagle, Assistant State Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), made a special trip to Osceola to officially sign the draft Plan-EIS agreement, marking a key milestone in moving the long-awaited project closer to final federal review.

Click through to read about the latest progress and the next steps for the project…

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Clarke County Historical Society and Museum Honors CCDC for Support of Museum Improvements

Clarke County Historical Society and Museum Honors CCDC for Support of Museum Improvements

The Clarke County Historical Society and Museum recently presented a plaque to the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) in recognition of its generous financial support for improvements at the Historical Museum, including critical heating and air conditioning upgrades.

Click through to read more about the award and the latest for Clarke County Historical Museum…

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OCMS and CCDC Partner to Host Small Business Emergency Preparedness Workshop

OCMS and CCDC Partner to Host Small Business Emergency Preparedness Workshop

Osceola Chamber Main Street (OCMS) and the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) are teaming up with the Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to host a Small Business Emergency Preparedness Workshop on Wednesday, September 17, from 3–5 p.m.

The session will provide business owners and community organizations with practical tools to protect employees, maintain operations, and recover quickly when disaster strikes. With nearly 40% of small businesses never reopening after major disruptions, this workshop is a timely opportunity to build resilience and ensure long-term stability.

Space is limited—local businesses and organizations are encouraged to register early.

Click through to read more about the event and get signed up TODAY!

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