City of Emmetsburg Newsletter

City of Emmetsburg Receives $300,000 for Upper Story Housing Project

The City of Emmetsburg has been announced as a recipient of a $300,000 Downtown Housing Grant. This grant is among nearly $20 million in funding announced by Governor Reynolds for downtown housing projects in 61 communities, which will create 266 new housing units for Iowans.

“An adequate housing supply is the lynchpin to attracting and retaining a healthy and flourishing workforce,” said Governor Reynolds. “The investments will not only provide 466 Iowans the opportunity to live near where they work but they will breathe new life into dozens of underutilized facilities in our communities.”

The City is partnering with Abby and Justin Burns to convert the upper story of their historic downtown building located at 2117 Main Street into four apartments, with the potential to add two more apartments in the future. The major renovation will breathe new life into the large down building that previously was a Masonic Temple but has been largely underutilized for decades. The new housing units will range in size from 800 to 1,080 square feet, with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

Last fall the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) gave cities the opportunity to partner with a local property owner to apply for the new Downtown Housing Grant Program. After accepting and evaluating pre-applications from Emmetsburg property owners, the City identified the Burns’ project as the strongest candidate for an application.

Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator Gretchen Reichter worked with the property owners over a period of several months to refine the project and develop a detailed application and budget. During the application process, Reichter secured $3,000 in grant funding through the Iowa Rural Development Council’s Power of Connection Program which enabled the City and property owners to hire a professional architecture firm to develop a detailed, two-phase upper story floor plan. Reichter explained, “The Power of Connection grant assists communities that are seeking to build capacity, plan strategically, and drive new projects. We felt that the assistance of a professional architect would be vital not only to our grant application, but also to optimizing the usage and respecting the history of the building.”

The downtown housing program had $20 million available for awards and received 94 applications requesting $31 million in funding. Projects were scored on a competitive basis on criteria including project appropriateness, funding and partnerships, impact on housing in the community and population size. The total project cost of the 2117 Main Street upper story conversion is estimated to be between $450,000 and $500,000, and work will begin this summer.

City Announcements

Hiring Full-Time Assistant Community Center Manager

The City of Emmetsburg is accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Community Center Manager for The Shores at Five Island. The Assistant Manager will work with the City Administrator, Manager, and seven-member Community Center/Golf Board. Qualification should include previous hospitality, service industry and customer service experience along with ability to work nights and weekend. Salary based on qualifications.

For more information, contact City Administrator Kim Kibbie at 712-852-403. Send letter of application and resume to: City of Emmetsburg, Attn: Kim Kibbie, 2021 Main Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536, kkibbie@emmetsburg.com. Position open until filled. EOE.

Hiring Part-Time Banquet Staff at The Shores

The Shores at Five Island Community Center is hiring additional banquet staff. Duties include, not are not limited to, ballroom set-up and tear-down, clearing ballroom and veranda tables, assisting caterers and bartenders, tending to beverage and dessert tables, and cleaning venue after events.

For more information and to apply, stop in to The Shores (14 N Lawler St) or call 712-852-2262. Positions open until filled. EOE.

EMU Flushing Hydrants in May

Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities is flushing fire hydrants May 10-12. Residents are encouraged to check their water before doing laundry.

Closed Memorial Day

Emmetsburg City Hall and EMU offices will be closed on Monday, May 30th in honor of Memorial Day. Monday's solid waste route will be collected on Tuesday, June 1st.

Thank You!

Thank you to all who attended our first kids' cannival at The Shores at Five Island on May 1st. It was a great turnout! A special thanks to Artsy Darci for organizing a May Basket craft, the Emmetsburg High School cheer squash for face painting, and A & W for providing root beer and free ice cream cone coupons!

RAGBRAI XLIX Riders are counting on You!

Message from the Chamber of Commerce

The Emmetsburg RAGBRAI Housing Facebook group is now taking requests from riders who are looking for hosts to provide tent camping, indoor accommodations and/or bathroom access. Keep in mind that this is the 49^th year for RAGBRAI and some acclaim to have ridden 43 years. Most of the housing requests come from riders who are past the party stage and are anywhere up to 84 years old who are looking to call it a night at 9:00. On the other hand, for one group ages 65 - 84, this will be their very first bicycle ride across Iowa!

Of course not all riders are seniors, but the average age of RAGBRAI is aging nicely at 49. One father of twin 4 year old daughters is willing to sleep in a tent in a yard, but would appreciate a shower for the kiddos. (His wife and new baby are staying home this year so he’s pulling the twins!) Water and electric hookups and parking for a vehicle are frequent requests as well as the possibility to sleep in the basement where it is cool.

Won’t you consider joining the group housing some of our guests on July 26? If you are not on Facebook to check it out, stop at the Emmetsburg Chamber Office to peruse and match up with the requests that most interest you. There are people from all walks of life, families, non-smoking and pet friendly, vaccinated, people who cannot sleep on the ground, and more. These are just some of the registered riders who willingly give their wristband numbers so that you know they have signed the RAGBRAI Waiver and Release of Liability. I hope we can count on you!

Deb Hite

Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283

Stay in touch with the Chamber on Facebook

Iowa Lakes Construction Technology Program

Preparing Students with Hands-On Experiences

The Construction Technology program at Iowa Lakes Community College prepares students for various careers with a hands-on, dual-track program. Whether students seek to launch a successful career by owning their own construction business as a construction superintendent or even a home energy auditor, Iowa Lakes provides the knowledge and real work experiences needed to thrive within the ever-growing construction field.

Through off-campus job opportunities, Iowa Lakes Construction Technology students have the chance to learn about concrete and foundations, framing, exterior finishing, roofing, drywall, energy-efficient construction practices, the building envelope, and finish carpentry. Off-campus construction jobs at Iowa Lakes may include building a home from the ground up, working on home additions, or various remodel projects.

2020-2021 Project (105 Nolan Drive)

2021-2022 Project (107 Nolan Drive)

Powerful Partnerships Impact Student Learning Opportunities

During the 2021-2022 academic year, the Construction Technology program has been working with the Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation (ECDC) to build a new home in the Rockport addition. This powerful partnership has impacted both the City of Emmetsburg and the Construction Technology program.

"The City of Emmetsburg and the ECDC have been fortunate to work with Iowa Lakes on community development projects. ECDC is pleased to partner with the Construction Technology program again this year to build another single-family home. Housing development is vital to attracting and retaining both our workforce and population. This partnership has enabled ECDC to maintain a viable price point for new construction and allow students to contribute to the growth and vitality of Emmetsburg’s housing market."

- Brian Malm, President of ECDC

"Students are actively involved in each step of the building process, whether they determine the elevation and position of a home, pour the foundation, frame the floor and wall systems, or complete finish carpentry. Students also interact with the customer to better understand how to provide excellent customer service throughout the building process."

- Corey Menning, Construction Technology Assistance Professor & Program Coordinator

The current construction project is nearly completed, and ECDC has already accepted an offer on the home. ECDC is working with Construction Technology students as they wrap up their semester to finalize a floor plan for a duplex which will be the main project for the Construction Technology program during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Fundraiser Raffle Supporting Police Reserves

Swanson Hardware is sponsoring a raffle fundraiser for a Traeger Pro Series 34 pellet
grill and a $100 Swanson Hardware gift card. All proceeds will benefit the Palo Alto
County Sheriff Reserves and Emmetsburg Police Reserves.

Tickets are available for $10 each or three tickets for $25. Tickets can be purchased at
Swanson Hardware or by visiting/contacting the Emmetsburg Police Department or Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office. The drawing will be held on July 1st at Swanson's Hardware. You do not need to be present to win.

Princess Di will be at the library tonight!

Princess Di: Gone but still kicking!

Head to the Emmetsburg Public Library tonight (Tuesday, May 10th) at 6:30pm for a royal performance!

The iconic figure of Princess Diana Spencer shocked the entire world with her death in 1997. Jillann Gabrielle has her speaking from her grave as a spirit haunting the halls of Kensington Palace. And there is a twist... she has aged. She cut a deal with St. Peter at heaven's gate. She would be allowed to stay with her sons at the palace, but in return she would age. Diana had a great sense of humor, played the piano, sang, and danced. All of these skills at utilized as Diana spins the story of her personal and public life and the British Royal Monarchy, then and now.

COMMUNITY EVENTS