Latest news with #DebiDurham
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
On your marks, get set, paddle! ICON begins work on new Hubbell Trailhead
Kayakers, grab your paddles! Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON) officially broke ground on its Hubbell Trailhead on Tuesday, July 15. As the hot summer sun beat down, supporters of the initiative gathered to find out what makes this project so special. 'Hundreds of community members came together to develop the Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenways Master Plan. Today, thanks to your dedication and the formation of the ICON Water Trails nonprofit, the vision is becoming reality,' said Debi Durham, director of economic development and finance authority. 'Hubbell Trailhead is now home to more than just a launch point. It is a gateway to opportunity.' Other speakers at the event included Stephanie Oppel, executive director of ICON, Rick Tollakson, CEO of Hubbell Realty, Matt McCoy, representative for Polk County's first district, and Rich Leopold, director of Polk County's Conservation Board. The trailhead, which will be located at the Fleur Drive dam, is part of an ongoing effort by ICON to connect 150 miles of creeks and rivers in central Iowa. The project aims to create a hub for recreation, according to ICON's website. The initiative will also serve to educate Iowans about the past, present and future of the waterways that have connected the community since Des Moines' founding nearly 200 years ago. 'The ICON Water Trail is a powerful example of what happens when vision, collaboration and commitment come together,' Durham said. 'What began as an ambitious idea championed by business leaders, water enthusiasts, city officials and engaged citizens has become a model for what private-public partnerships can achieve.' The trails have been in the works since 2016. Over the past 9 years, ICON, formerly Central Iowa Water Trails, has partnered with cities and counties across the state to design an estimated 86 project sites, according to previous coverage from the Register. Work on the first downtown access point, located at the Scott Avenue dam, began in April of 2023 and is expected to be finished by the end of the 2026 recreational season, despite higher than average water levels this summer, according to Oppel. Construction on the Hubbell Trailhead will take roughly two years to finish, wrapping up sometime in mid- to late-summer 2027. These two downtown access points plus one more, planned for Center Street, are the centerpiece of ICON's undertaking. A series of whitewater features will replace three low-head dams along the Des Moines River downtown. ICON hopes the features will bring in kayakers, paddlers and surfers to these sites, as well as to a smaller, secondary whitewater feature on the Raccoon River which will be accessible via the Hubbell Trailhead. The project has two themes, Leopold said: 'stay and play' and 'run the river.' These snappy catchphrases allude to the different ways the community will be able to utilize the launch point at Fleur Drive. The first, 'stay and play,' refers to a more familial kind of fun, Leopold said, citing traditional summer-at-the-beach activities like wading and floating through the rapids — a soon to be installed feature of the waterway. The second, 'run the river,' is a reference to the more complex system of trails that ICON is currently working to build out. With access points going in at Harriet Street and Scott Avenue, as well as at Brown and Walnut Woods, Leopold said people will be able to paddle the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers like never before. Several access points are already up and running across the state. They feature public art and lockers for canoes and kayaks, which the project's organizers say have been successful in drawing the public's attention. The project is also expected to increase local tourism, according to a study conducted by ICON in early 2024. Durham said that according to Iowa's county conservation system, outdoor recreation contributes $8 billion to Iowa's economy every year, and that 'projects like this one are poised to grow that impact even further.' In showcasing Iowa's natural beauty, the state's economy will thrive, Durham said. The anticipated tourism would create a wealth of opportunities for small businesses, as well as bring in more people to stay at hotels, which would in turn create more foot traffic for the businesses and shops that already call Des Moines home. The project isn't just about tourism, however. A good portion of ICON's efforts over the years have gone toward conservation, according to Oppel. 'ICON has known about the water quality in Iowa for years,' she said. 'That's one of the reasons we're doing the work that we are. We're investing more than $47 million in conservation and safety improvements throughout downtown as well as throughout the community.' Oppel also pointed out that while nitrate levels in drinking water is something Des Moines residents should care about, it is not something they need to be concerned about when it comes to recreation. 'Having nitrates in the water, it's really important for that to be treated,' Oppel said. 'But it is still safe for recreation. Nitrates don't impact your ability to go out and float and have a good time.' Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@ This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: ICON begins work on new Hubbell Trailhead in Des Moines
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grants drive growth in rural Iowa
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced $40,000 in grants to drive growth in the rural Iowa towns of Imogene and Sibley, as well as Calhoun and Jackson counties, according to a news release. The funding comes from the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa Initiative's Building Ownership & Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program. 'For struggling rural areas, this support can be transformative — helping local leaders to bring their vision to life, create and fill jobs and fuel economic progress where it's needed most,' said Debi Durham, director of the IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority. 'These grants encourage innovative ideas that enable small Iowa towns to stay vibrant and competitive.' The Rural BOOST program connects community and business leaders with expert guidance to develop actionable growth plans. Grant funding supports the implementation of those plans. Projects must serve communities with 20,000 or fewer residents and not be adjacent to a city of more than 40,000. Countywide projects must be located in one of the state's 88 least-populous counties. Each of the following awarded projects will receive $10,000: Calhoun County — Calhoun County Economic Development will develop a marketing strategy to attract businesses, manufacturers or service providers to locate in the Calhoun County Business Park, particularly on a 13.2-acre shovel-ready site, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Iowa Highway 4. Imogene (Fremont County) — With a population of 39, the city wants to invest in professional design and engineering services to prioritize community needs — such as street repairs, a campground expansion, a bridge replacement and downtown building renovations — in an effort to curb population decline. Jackson County — The Jackson County Economic Alliance (JCEA) reports that 72% of the county's workforce is older than 55, and most are expected to retire within 15 years. To prepare, JCEA plans to survey the workforce needs of local businesses and industries and assist with creating succession plans for a smooth transition. Sibley (Osceola County) — Sibley Housing and Development Corp. is eyeing a new residential development to address a significant housing shortage, which is hindering the city's economic growth. The grant will pay for a site plan proposal and public awareness campaign. IEDA received six applications for this round of BOOST grants, which opened in January. Applicants, who are required to provide a financial match, were scored based on criteria that included economic need, partnerships, readiness and strategic goals. Rural BOOST is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the IEDA, in consultation with the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Force. For more information on the Empower Rural Iowa program, contact Robin Bostrom at 515-348-6176 or rural@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 Siouxland Communities receive state funds to boost economic growth
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — Two northwest Iowa communities received grants to increase economic growth. Sibley Housing and Development Corporation received a $10,000 grant to help pay for a site plan proposal and public awareness campaign. The development corporation is seeking a new residential development to address a big housing shortage, which is affecting the City of Sibley's economic growth. The Calhoun County Economic Development also obtained a $10,000 grant to help pay for a marketing strategy to attract businesses, service providers, or manufacturers to locate in the Calhoun County Business Park. Officials with the economic development said they're particularly looking at a 13.2-acre shovel-ready site located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Iowa Highway 4. Gehlen Catholic School raises $338K+ in annual fundraiser 'For struggling rural areas, this support can be transformative — helping local leaders to bring their vision to life, create and fill jobs and fuel economic progress where it's needed most. These grants encourage innovative ideas that enable small Iowa towns to stay vibrant and competitive,' said Debi Durham, director of the IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority. The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced on Thursday that a total of $40,000 in grants is being split between two rural towns and 2 counties. The money comes from the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa Initiative's Building Ownership & Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
