As the city’s community and economic development manager, Reeck helped to secure millions of dollars in grant funding and worked behind the scenes to put many major projects in the city into motion. In just the past five years alone, Reeck secured nearly $7 million in grant funding for Fort Dodge.

“Like all local and state governments, it’s usually the elected city officials who are recognized the for the good things happening in Fort Dodge, but truth be known, in most cases it was Vickie who was instrumental in doing the work behind the scenes to make it happen,” said Mark Crimmins, attorney for the City of Fort Dodge. “She will be missed for so many reasons, but mostly because she is simply a good person and a pleasure to be around.”

Reeck has been working on projects behind the scenes for 37 years, including working to clear out the former IBP plant in Fort Dodge after more than 2.2 million waste tires were left by a collector.

“The DNR used a special appropriation of funding by the Iowa Legislature to clean it up and I coordinated that work, but then the more than 15 acre site remained with a hulking shell of a building still sitting there,” said Mel Pins, program manager for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Brownfield Redevelopment Program. “Vickie contacted me and said they had an abandoned meat packing plant property that the city was thinking of acquiring and could we help with the Brownfield program? Vickie methodically analyzed what the costs would be to remove the building to prepare the site for redevelopment. She received more than $50,000 from our DNR Brownfield program to help with asbestos inspection and abatement and soil and groundwater testing clearance. She secured another $200,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and she took a City delegation to Washington, D.C., to meet with Congressman Tom Latham and I believe received another $200,000 federal appropriation toward the demolition. This is just an example of how Vickie works to get partnerships and investors, but to also know that the City is that first and most important investor in what they want to get done.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Peggie Fishel, of Badger, hugs Vickie Reeck during Reeck’s retirement party on Tuesday at City Hall in Fort Dodge.

Pins said after working with Reeck on multiple projects, he now uses her insights and strategies for Brownfield redevelopment as a lesson for communities across Iowa on how they can tackle redevelopment projects.

Reeck has worked on countless projects throughout her 37-year career, including the Decker Industrial Park development, Williams Bend Housing Subdivision, Elanco retention, Phillips Middle School redevelopment, Cross town connector project, Corridor Plaza redevelopment, including the pavilion project, Parkview subdivision, Northwest River District, Lincoln Neighborhood, and the Nestle Expansion.

“I wish there was a way to count how many individual parcels within the city limits she has positively impacted,” said Ryan Peterson, an environmental consultant for the city. “The amount of good she has done for the city is beyond impressive.”

“Vickie is a source of knowledge on all things related to economic development, renovation projects and attracting new businesses to the community,” added City Councilman Terry Moehnke, who has worked with Reeck for more than a decade. “Her work developing new housing and making it economically feasible for the City and builders has resulted in several new neighborhoods. She has influenced the direction that our town has taken and will take in the future. and we have all benefited from her involvement. Under Vickie’s leadership, the economic development office has grown to be an efficient department that will continue to assure our success in the coming years. She has worked through difficult projects and has smoothed the path to success for many. We were fortunate to have her in City Hall and thank her for her assistance with the growth of our community.”

Though with the many projects Reeck has overseen, the Park View Neighborhood Revitalization project was her favorite.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Nate Smith, of Fort Dodge, fills out a card for Vickie Reeck’s retirement party on Tuesday at City Hall in Fort Dodge.

“I grew up in that neighborhood and to see it transformed into what it is today is very rewarding,” said Reeck. “The other project that has been one of my favorites is the redevelopment of the Corridor Plaza. It has been a long haul, but we’re not seeing the results of all the hard work put in on this project. It’s great to see new businesses opening and old businesses coming back to our community.”

Reeck is known across the state for her expertise in Brownfield sites, environmental cleanup, and securing state and federal funds for redevelopment. She was also named the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance’s 2024 Catalyst Award recipient.

“Fort Dodge has been fortunate to have had Vickie working for so many years to add so much to the City’s renaissance and growth,” said Pins. “She leaves a very positive legacy for the greater Fort Dodge area.”

In her new retirement, Reeck plans to work part-time for Snyder & Associates in Fort Dodge.