Spring Brings Changes to Downtown Emmetsburg
By Jane Whitmore - | Apr 22, 2021
DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION continues in the central business district with the addition of new waste receptacles. Gretchen Reichter, Marketing and Retail Coordinator, is pictured with one of the new containers. The waste receptacles feature a celtic knot design (see inset photo). New planters will have the same design. Jane Whitmore photo
by Jane Whitmore
Piece by piece, Emmetsburg’s downtown beautification project is coming into place. New, brightly colored banners are already hanging from street poles. Recently, new waste receptacles were placed in the central business district. The next step is installation of new planters.
City Accepting Pre-Applications for CDBG Housing Rehab Program
By Staff | Apr 20, 2021
The City of Emmetsburg is seeking pre-applications from homeowners interested in participating in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) home rehabilitation program.
The city, with the assistance of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission (NWIPDC), is gauging the level of homeowner interest in housing rehabilitation assistance in order to determine if an application should be submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the CDBG housing program. If awarded, the program would provide funding for income-qualified homeowners to help bring their homes up to “Iowa’s Minimum Housing Rehabilitation Standards”. This may include work items such as insulation, lighting, electrical, furnaces, water heaters, siding, windows, doors, roofing, gutters, foundation, etc. Owner occupied rehabilitation is focused on three areas of improvement: energy efficiency, exterior improvem
City Administrator Offers Council Updates
By Jane Whitmore - | Apr 20, 2021
by Jane Whitmore
Emmetsburg City Administrator Kim Kibbie presented a series of updates to members of Emmetsburg City Council at their meeting Monday, April 12.
Kibbie began with an update on the American Rescue Plan Act.
“The American Rescue Plan Act was signed by President Biden with $55.1 billion that is supposed to be going to cities,” Kibbie said. “Emmetsburg is estimated to get $510,000, which is strictly an estimate at this time. They are supposed to be getting us more information on eligible use and guidelines.”
She then advised the council about grant funding for exterior housing improvements.
The Health of Business and Industry
By Staff | Feb 4, 2021
To the Editor:
In response to Dave Rouse’s editorial of January 26th, I offer the following comments:
I’d like to thank Dave for the positive comments directed towards my recent words of encouragement published in the January 14th issue of THE DEMOCRAT.
Shortly after I assumed office last year, I toured most of the City and EMU departments with the intention of following those stops with visits to various industries and several of the smaller businesses in the community.
In my first outing, I got an awesome tour from some of the fine people at Aluma. Before I could schedule any more visits, COVID showed up. When things settle down, I plan to visit other businesses and industries.