NDC Newsletter - December 2015 - Newton Development Corporation

December, 2015
Implementing Newton’s Future:
The Newton Hometown Pride committee meets the 2nd Thursday of every month in the NDC
Board room at DMACC. Over the past several meetings the committee has worked on Newton’s 5 Year Community Vision Plan. The plan has been divided into three areas, Housing,
Downtown/First Avenue, and Parks. The committee has outlined a timeline on several projects. Listed below are a few the committee will be focusing on in the next 1 to 2 years.
Housing:
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Introduce new housing types to Newton; make sure all market segments are addressed.
Rehab existing downtown buildings to create nice second floor apartment units/condos.
Develop a housing rehab program.
Create a data base for rental housing units; a general inventory.
Develop strategies to attract young families to Newton.
Downtown/First Avenue:
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Finalize downtown streetscape design plan and develop implementation plan.
Expand number of downtown restaurants and create outdoor service areas.
Enhance alleys
Downtown Wi-Fi and public charging stations.
Enhance pedestrian and bicycle friendliness
Façade improvement program; incentives for second floor residential units.
Create a downtown event space.
Public piano program; other community engagement strategies.
NDC Executive
Committee
Jo Jenkins
Chair
Adam Otto
Vice Chair
Rob Kahn
Secretary
L.D. Palmer
Treasurer
Levi Pence
Past Chair
Dan Skokan
Director/Emeritus
Brett Altman
Brian Buch
Mike Fastenau
Dick Davidson
Parks:
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Development plan for 30 Acre Park.
Enhance Sunset Park with senior-oriented features.
Create a park feature that becomes a unique regional attraction
Hold special events and tournaments.
Create a zip line park feature.
The Hometown Pride Committee was appointed by the
Newton City Council. Jeff Davidson from Keep Iowa
Beautiful is the “Community Coach.” Bruce Showalter
serves as Chair. Other members of the committee are
Terry Ayres, Linda Bacon, Andrew Bassman, Zach Bet,
Erin Chambers, Mary Entz, Denice Fisher, Bryan Friedman, Miranda Kulis, Brendan Lamont, Frank Liebl, Craig
Light, Tanya Michener, Mary Ann Nevins, Sue Nolin, Bob
O’Brien, Don Poynter, Amanda Price, Jane Repp, Kerry
Soule, Cory Stout, Natalie Umsted, Nathan Unsworth,
and Kari Van Zante.
NDC Staff
Frank Liebl
Executive Director
[email protected]
Office: 641.787.8209
Mobile: 641.521.1868
Tanya Michener
Executive Assistant
[email protected]
Office: 641.787.8210
Mobile: 641.660.3831
600 N. 2nd Avenue W.
Suite P
Newton, Iowa 50208
Page 2
Mission
Statement
The Newton Development Corporation
strives to improve
the economic wellbeing of the Newton
community.
We accomplish this
through collaboration with other community stakeholders
to increase investment in Newton by
retaining, growing
and attracting business. Our success is
measured through
growth in employment,
population,
housing, retail sales,
tax base, healthcare
accessibility
and
school enrollment.
We will follow these
principles and
values: Honesty,
integrity,
respect,
professionalism,
teamwork and an
appropriate balance
of transparency and
confidentiality.
Offers on Newton Manufacturing Buildings to be Accepted:
Hilco Real Estate Company out of Chicago is handling the bankruptcy sale of the former
Newton Manufacturing buildings. The company HQ building with 37,000 square feet sits
on 3.7 acres at 1205 1st Avenue East, and the 38,000 square foot warehouse/
manufacturing building is across the street at 200 East 12 th Street South.
Avalanche Composites has been leasing the warehouse space for the past 18 months.
They have tried numerous times to purchase the building but have been unable to make
a deal with trustee of the bankruptcy court. According to Eric Kadow they have been given their eviction notice. Kadow said, “The Newton Development Corporation and others
really helped us get started here in Newton, and we looked at some other places in
Newton, but nothing met our needs. We thank-you everyone who helped us, we wish
didn’t have to move.”
Frank Liebl, Executive Director of NDC said that Avalanche Composites will be re-locating
to a former manufacturing facility in Grinnell, and taking the 10 jobs with them. “It’s unfortunate, we showed Avalanche several buildings before they started their business 18
months ago, and they really like the location they are in. I met with both the trustee and
the real estate representatives from Hilco, and they were adamant that they wanted to
put the buildings up for sale and see what kind of offers they would receive.” Offers are
due on or before January 28, 2016. More information can be found at
www.HilcoRealEstate.com or interested parties can call the Information Line at
855.755.2300.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE! www.newtondevelopmentcorporation.com
Page 3
NHDC Projects Underway:
Useful links:
Newton Housing
Development
Corporation
Iowa Governor’s
STEM Advisory
Council
The Newton Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) has made progress on
both construction projects. The Fairmeadows North project with Ground Breaker
Homes, LLC has closed. Foundations are completed with framing already underway. One of 5 homes under construction has already been sold.
NHDC sold two of the three lots they own in Eastgate Meadows. The first lot was
sold to the Rotary/Student Builders, who already have completed the concrete
work and are working on the framing. Van Ersvelde Construction from Grinnell
purchased the second lot earlier this month. Van Ersvelde Construction along with
the Rotary/Student Builders home will be ready this spring. With those two and
the five that are being built in Fairmeadows North, NHDC will have 7 “spec houses” to show in the spring of 2016.
NHDC is also working on a rehab project for some homes along the 1 st Avenue corridor. Improvements would include roof, siding, foundation, porch repair and new
windows. These homes have been inspected and reviewed by a selection committee. Jennifer Cook, Chair of NHDC said “ NHDC and the City of Newton are
working on a CBDG Grant application that is due January 15 th. If we receive this
grant we would expand the number of homes that are chosen for funding. NHDC
has had a busy year and will continue to be a strong player in housing within the
City of Newton.”
Building Trades Students
Note:
VISIT OUR WEBSITE! www.newtondevelopmentcorporation.com
News and Information
from Newton Development Corporation
Economic Development Tidbits…
 Economic Modeling Specialist Int’l (EMSI) did a follow-up story about Newton’s economic recovery from the loss of Maytag. This story was a result of
Jasper County’s unemployment rate falling from a high 10.5% in 2009 to 3.4%
in the 3rd quarter of 2015. You can read the story at this link:
http://www.economicmodeling.com/2015/11/12/revisiting-newtoniowa-how-a-small-towns-economy-grew-stronger-after-losing-its-largestemployer/
 Frank Liebl was interviewed by D.D. Guttenplan, Editor at Large for The Nation, prior to Donald Trump’s Newton appearance on Nov. 19th. The interview
was also about Newton’s recovery.
th
 Donald Trump appeared at the Newton DMACC Campus on November 19 as
part of the WHO-TV 13 political forum. The hour long live show was broadcast
live from the DMACC auditorium. The focus of the forum was on jobs. Prior to
the interview Frank Liebl sent Dave Price information about the number of
jobs that have been created in Newton since Maytag’s departure.
 A Des Moines broker wanted information on a couple of vacant buildings in
Newton.
 NDC also had an inquiry about industrial land that might be available. Information was sent.
 Chaz Allen, JEDCO – Byran Friedman City of Newton, and Frank Liebl, NDC
met with the economic development team of the Greater Des Moines Partnership in Des Moines on November 19th.
December, 2015
Newspaper headline:
“Survey Finds Many
Employees Lacking
in Bacic Skills.”
A boy excitedly told his
parents, “I’m in the
church’s Christmas play!
“Which part did you
get?” his Mother asked.
“I’m a wise guy!”
21 Principles For A Richer Life:
The most destructive habit: Worry
The greatest joy: Giving
The greatest loss: Loss of self-respect.
The most satisfying work: Helping others
The ugliest personality trait: Selfishness
The most endangered species: Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource: Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm.” Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome: Fear
The most effective sleeping pill: Peace of mind
The most crippling disease: Excuses
The most powerful force in life: Love
The most incredible computer: The brain
The worst thing to be without: Hope
The deadliest weapon: The tongue
The two most power-filled words: I can
The greatest asset: Faith
The most worthless emotion: Self-pity
The most beautiful attire: A smile
The most prized possession: Integrity
The most contagious spirit: Enthusiasm.
Harvey Mackay, is author of the New York Times No. 1 best-seller “Swim With the
Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” Harvey’s column appears Mondays in the Des
Moines Register. www.harveymackay.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE! www.newtondevelopmentcorporation.com
A young woman who
looked sore and tired got
on a crowded bus with a
pair of ice skates slung
over her shoulder. As the
bus pulled away from the
curb, a man offered her
his seat. “No, thank you,”
she replied. “I’ve been
sitting most of the morning.”