Latest news with #MattRowe
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic Des Moines streetcar building up for sale
DES MOINES, Iowa — At one time Des Moines had a mass-transit system of streetcars. The rails from those cars are mostly buried by time; however, one piece of streetcar lore remains near downtown. A small two-story building called a power station was one of several that provided the electricity to run the trains. The building near downtown was constructed in 1922. It was used for storage in recent years. The man who owned it passed away and now his children are looking to sell the property. Iowa House Republican leadership holding strong on its education funding proposal 'As far as I know it was, it was a generating station so they had all the electrical equipment generation equipment, and then lines would come out from here to power the streetcars,' said Matt Rowe, who along with his sister, Julie, is selling the building. 'You know it is a pretty interesting building and they clearly do not build things like this anymore and so you get a historic building with this kind of structure and story that goes with it and it seems really important that I get at least preserved.' The site is of interest from a historical standpoint to members of the Des Moines Streetcar group. 'I don't know how many of these power houses that they built were just nothing but generators and everything,' said Larry Ferguson, of the Des Moines Streetcar group. 'It provided power to the lines and there also was one on the southside, here, and there's one that was off of Merle Hay in Johnston.' People who live in the neighborhood are hoping something is done with the building, either it's torn down, or renovated. Having an abandoned building in a family neighborhood has attracted people looking for trouble said one neighbor. There has been some interest in purchasing the building, but nothing confirmed at this point. For more information on the building call or text Julie at 347-556-1896. Metro News: Historic Des Moines streetcar building up for sale Material witness warrant issued in deadly Des Moines hit-and-run case Des Moines Arts Festival announces artists for 2025 event World Food & Music Festival ranked among top five cultural festivals by USA Today High winds turn controlled burn into grass fire in Indianola, fire department says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jacksonville Chamber awards top businesses, volunteers at awards banquet
The Jacksonville Chamber hosted its 100th annual awards banquet Thursday at The Legacy, honoring businesses and volunteers. Elizabeth Cockerham, East Texas Deputy Regional Director for Senator Cornyn, read a letter from the senator written for the occasion. 'I send my greetings as you gather to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce," Cockerham read from the letter. "This is a significant milestone in which you and your entire community can take pride. Over the past century, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has played an integral role in fostering local business opportunity and advancing regional economic investment. Their vision and dedication over the years has enabled you to contribute so much to the success and spirit of the Lone Star State.' Barry Lofquist, 2025 Board Chairman, began his address with a reflection titled, 'A Servant's Heart,' sharing about the example of Jesus when he washed the feet of his disciples. He went on to explain his vision for the upcoming year. His theme for the 2025 year is, 'Be Our Community. Connect. Grow. Lead. Share.' 'Members of a community have a sense of trust, a sense of belonging, of safety, of pride and of caring for each other. That's community,' Lofquiest said. 'I think this is really what being our community looks like. It's about people. It's about people like you and people like me coming together to do something really great for the place where we live. I believe that being our community calls us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.' Business Man of the Year 4 - Matt Rowe with Matt Rowe, named Business Man of the Year for 2024, is pictured with his wife Julie and their son John. Matt Rowe, of Rowe Farms, was named the 2024 Business Man of the Year. Rowe has worked with his father since graduating high school and continues to grow the wholesale plant farm, recently adding landscaping services to the business. 'This is awesome. I wasn't expecting this. It's a huge honor,' Rowe said. 'I'm grateful for your consideration. I'm going to make sure we do our best to keep this reputation rolling and do as much as we can for this community.' Business Woman of the Year 3 - Tina Business Woman of the year Tina Hargett (right) was announced by previous winner Judy Seamands. The 2024 Business Woman of the Year was presented to Tina Hargett, owner of Rainbow's End Barber Salon. Hargett has operated in the same location for more than 40 years. 'I totally did not expect this,' Hargett said. 'I love my community. I love being a part of Jacksonville downtown. I just don't know what to say. Thank you.' Three categories of businesses were awarded: Small, Medium and Large. Texas Farm Bureau - Small Business of the Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agency Manger Brandie Garner (second from left) and Agents Monica Thrash and Micah Hoffpaiur accept the Small Business of the Year award from Dillon Rodriguez (far left). The Small Business of the Year was awarded to Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Agents Micah Hoffpaiur and Monica Thrash, along with Agency Manager Brandie Garner, were present to receive the award. The business is heavily involved in the community, sponsoring the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show and other local events, awarding annual scholarships and its members serving as board members and volunteers. 'It's a great honor,' Hoffpauir said of the award. He credited the business's success to all the customers who gave them the opportunity to help them with their insurance. Roma's Italian Bistro - Medium Business of the Dillon Rodriguez (from left) presented the Small Business of the Year award to Roma's Italian Bistro's owners Agon Raka, Florenc Leshnja and General Manager Adi Lluka. Roma's Italian Bistro received the Medium Business of the Year award. Roma's utilized a vacant building to expand their business and opened in 2023. 'I feel very blessed and thankful for the community to have embraced us so well,' said Florenc Leshnja, a co-owner of the restaurant. Partner Agon Raka also expressed gratitude for the award. 'We work very hard, day in and day out, and we're very thankful to be recognized for it,' he said. 'We look forward to being in this community for a long time.' Although no representative was able to be present, Arrington Lumber and Pallet was named the Large Business of the Year. The family-owned business, now in its third generation of family leadership, is headed by President/CEO Kyle Arrington. With a workforce of approximately 150 employees and state-of-the-art facility, the business produces nearly 200,000 board feet daily, delivering up to 100 truckloads of pallets each week. The final award of the evening was the Citizen of the Year. James Hubbard, last year's recipient of the award, announced Brad Stewart as the 2024 winner. 'To say this is a surprise is an understatement,' Stewart said. 'I feel very blessed to be part of this community. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this community has meant to my family and to myself. 'There's so many great things going on in this community but it takes the whole community working together. This means more to me than you guys will ever know.' Chamber photos (From left) Avon representative Christina Brooks was named Rookie of the Year at Thursday's awards banquet. Dillon Rodriguez presents Nathan Jones, Economic Development Chair, with the Division Chair award. The Chairman's Award, presented by Chairman Dillon Rodriguez, went to the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation. Chairman Dillon Rodriguez recognized Janet Stanovich as the 2024 Unsung Hero. Other award winners were: – Chairman's Award: Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation – Division Chair of the Year: Nathan Jones, Economic Development Division – Rookie of the Year: Christina Brooks – Unsung Hero: Janet Stanovich Outgoing Chairman Dillon Rodriguez was also recognized for his efforts over the past year. Each of the evening's award recipients were also presented with certificates from U.S. Representative Jake Ellzey, State Senator Robert Nichols, State Representative Cody Harris and Jacksonville Mayor Randy Gorham.
