IDA GROVE, Iowa - Ida Grove realized growth in 2004, both within the city limits and in the farming community.
The Ida County seat, population 2,500, may be small in population, but big in industry, supporting two international firms, Gomaco and Midwest Industries. These industries support a large percentage of Ida Grove's population as well those of surrounding communities.
According to Ida Grove City Clerk Diane Alborn, the city's greatest progress boast is its new rec center. "Our biggest news is the rec center finishing its year in the black," she said.
The Ida Grove Recreation Center had a very successful first year in 2004 - opening its doors to in December 2003. According to Matt Salvatore, the Rec Center's director, the first year budget was right at $200,000 with first year receipts ending at just over $218,000.
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That $18,000 profit speaks well of community support and economic strength in the Ida County area. It is also an enviable economic accomplishment for any rec center with a pool.
"We've had a great year - and the possibilities for the future are endless," said Salvatore, noting membership is now at 653.
The Ida Grove Rec Center features a swimming pool and children's activity pool, sauna, jacuzzi, as well as a golf room complete with a putting green and driving range/hunting simulator, two racquetball courts, a basketball/volleyball court, an aerobics gym, and a fitness gym. The basketball/volleyball gym also features a walking path around its exterior. There are also meeting rooms.
Aside from a $100,000 Vision Iowa grant, the $1.4 million facility was built with private donations. "The $1.4 million facility was funded nearly all by donations. The $1.4 million amount doesn't really paint an accurate picture on what the total value of the building would be if you factor in the countless volunteer hours and in-kind contributions that made this dream become a reality," said Salvatore.
The economic strength of Ida Grove was also reflected in new businesses and business expansion.
Ida Grove gained a new motel this last year as Super 8 built on Highway 175 on the east edge of town. The motel is operated by M.W. Hart Inc. of Spencer, Troy Hart, owner. The 34-unit motel opened Jan. 21.
East of the new Super 8, a restaurant has come to town. Boz Wellz bought JuVall's, formerly owned by Judy Pluth, and beginning in August started remodeling. After three months of work, Boz Wellz opened Dec. 1. Ida Grove's Boz Wellz is the second restaurant of that name. The first is in Storm Lake, and both are owned by Cindy Bosley of Storm Lake.
"The town has been fabulous. They've welcomed us with open arms," said Bosley. "We're totally happy and business is good."
The restaurant is located at the intersection of highways 175 and 59 on the east edge of Ida Grove.
Downtown developments
Ida Grove has seen a few changes downtown as well. Verizon Wireless moved into a vacant downtown building, and across the street, Selections, a variety store, is expanding into the vacated store next door. That store, previously a gift store, was closed last fall.
The fall of 2004 saw Ida Grove's hospital, Horn Memorial, begin work on its new surgery center, a 20,000-square-foot addition to the 42-bed hospital.
The new surgery center will contain a surgical unit, a physical therapy floor, and expansion of the business offices and medical records area, as well as the radiology and dietary departments.
There will also be renovations to the outpatient clinic. Horn Memorial's Hospital Administer Dan Ellis explained, "This is mostly for our visiting specialists, doubling what we have now."
According to Ellis, estimates are that this aggressive expansion by Horn Memorial hospital will increase employment opportunities in the area by 10 percent.
Good year on the farm
Ida Grove area farmers also enjoyed some economic growth and encouragement via record yields in 2004.
Farmer's Cooperative of Ida Grove had anticipated expanding crop yields by building four 680,000-bushel bins, two in 2002 and two more in 2003. The crop last fall, however, still exceeded capacity and the co-op staff ended up putting two million bushels on the ground this October. Market prices adjusted to this bin-busting harvest. But with recent price increases, farmers are again hopeful for their economic futures.
"They're (area farmers) a lot more optimistic now that the market is going up," said Jim Anderson, co-op manager.
According to Ida Grove City Clerk Diane Alborn, improvements in the accessibility to the co-op are also underway. "The bridge on the farm to market route is scheduled for improvement," said Alborn.
Ida Grove also has future plans to connect highway 175 to old highway 59, on the west edge of Ida Grove. This will ease farm-to-market congestion through town and make it easier to unload grain at the elevator.
