Going green for state green
-Messenger photo by Jesse Helling
Jeff Geerts, special projects coordinator for the Iowa Department of Economic Development, expounds upon criteria for the Iowa Green Streets program, which encourages environmentally sustainable business and community development.
Green living: It’s not just a fad, it’s here to stay. Since November 2007, the Iowa Department of Economic Development has pushed the Green Streets Initiative to promote public health, energy efficiency, water conservation, smart locations, operational savings and sustainable building practices in IDED-administered programs. Any community or business seeking funds from said programs is obliged to follow Green Streets guidelines, said Jeff Geerts, IDED special projects coordinator. Geerts expounded upon those guidelines during a Mid Iowa Growth Partnership conference last week. That event, in Fort Dodge, brought together economic development leaders from throughout north central Iowa, many of whom oversee projects that operate with the support of the IDED. That includes the IDED Housing Fund, Community Development Block Grant Program, Community Facilities and Services Fund and Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant projects. Above all, sustainability is key, Geerts said.
» Full StoryFinally. 2009 harvest back on track
From bumper corn crops in northwest Iowa and bin-busting soybean crops in southwest Iowa to below-average yields in other areas, variability is the key word to describe the 2009 harvest throughout much of Iowa.
» Full StoryIt’s just around the corner
Despite recent temperatures in the 50s and 60s, the specter of sleet and snow looms.
Winter is coming — and no time of the year is harder on your automobile, according to several area retailers.
Hy-Vee honors 12 local employees for service
Employees from the Fort Dodge Hy-Vee store are among 2,325 Hy-Vee employees who will be honored for achieving service milestones in 2009.
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ALGONA — Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Co. has been invited to become a member of The Principal 10 Best Alumni Associatio.
» Full StoryNew farmers logging onto webinar series
Brent Larson sat comfortably at his computer Tuesday evening, armed with a notepad and pen.
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