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Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Newsletter
New Member Spotlight
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B.B. Ques Barbecue Store is dedicated to carrying high quality, unique items in their online barbecue store. They offer the finest Rubs and Sauces for your grill and kitchen – all that’s left for you to do is enjoy.
Now offering your favorite meats and sides for all special events with catering! B.B. Ques provides take and go or free delivery - call John at 515-227-0779 for more information!
Fort Dodge Physical Therapy's story started in 2022 when two companies, 21st Century Rehab and Home Town Physical Therapy, teamed up to start a clinic in Fort Dodge. They are local to Iowa and therapist-owned. At Fort Dodge Physical Therapy, they reduce and eliminate pain, increase mobility, and get people back to the activities they love through hands-on care, prescribed exercises, and patient education.
You can reach Fort Dodge Physical Therapy by calling 515-416-8822. They are located at 102 N 25th St in Fort Dodge.
Thank you for your membership!
tRIBBON
Congratulations to UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge Trinity Lymphedema, Trinity Rehabilitation Services, and Trinity Wound Center on your ribbon cutting! This new space, located inside Entrance C at Trinity Regional Medical Center, brings all outpatient therapy inside the hospital, providing convenience for patients and employees.
County Connect Webster
Keith Dencklau
Keith Dencklau was elected to serve as Webster County Supervisor, representing District 1, sixteen years ago. He ran for office because he felt that District 1 should be represented by a farmer because much of that district is agricultural. He grew up in Badger and farmed in that area his entire life, and felt that with his ag background, he would be a good fit for the Webster County Supervisor Board.
While in office, Keith was active with various boards: • Midas Government Sharing Committee • Webster County Drug Alliance • City/County/Growth Alliance • Drainage District No. 96 Representative • Squaw Creek Management Authority • North Racoon River Watershed Coalition • Beaver Creek Watershed Management Authority • Convention and Visitors Bureau • Crime Stoppers • Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Board of Directors • Foster Grandparents • Iowa Crossroads of Global Innovation • Conference Board • President of the Iowa Drainage District Association for 10 years As one can imagine, there is a multitude of projects that Keith feels most proud of. Serving the Webster County residents for sixteen years, he has had a role in many opportunities for growth.
Keith worked with landowners in District 1 and helped to improve and update district tile systems that were originally installed in the 1900s, updating them to current standards. He also collaborated with the City and Growth Alliance to bring Valero, Cargill, CJ Bio, and Poet to our community. Keith was influential with surrounding landowners at the Ag Park, which helped build the Crossroads of Global Innovation.
Through his auction business, Keith sold thousands of dollars of county-owned property, at no cost to the county. He also played a role in expanding the bike trail system around Fort Dodge, to Kennedy Park, around Badger Lake, and the new trail that will be built to connect to Badger. Keith was a part of the Law Enforcement Center and Courthouse clock tower remodels and worked on the purchase of the building that now houses the Webster County Attorney’s office and Webster County Public Health.
Keith participated in efforts to bring the Wind Farm to the southern part of Webster County, as well as the Solar Farm to the northern portion. The completion of these two projects made Webster County 90% green energy, which is important to attract new businesses to our region.
One of Keith’s special memories involved a dinner hosted for the dignitaries representing CJ Bio, before they became established in Webster County. The purpose of the meeting was to convince CJ Bio to build its first company in North America in the Crossroads of Global Innovation. Later, when the plant was built, a group of people from Webster County was invited to visit Seoul, South Korea and Beijing, China, touring the main offices and facilities. Keith feels honored to have been a part of the dinner and group that traveled.
When asked what advice he would give to another person interested in running for office, Keith says, “If you are elected and realize that you won’t make everybody happy on an issue, just listen to all concerns and try to make the best decision for the people you represent.” He also thinks it’s important for a person to “be able to work and listen to the people that elected you to the position and be able to sit down with fellow county employees and work out the problems and concerns they might be having. Most importantly, try to be fiscally responsible with tax dollars that are collected and spent in the county.”
Keith would like to thank all the employees and people of Webster County. It has been his pleasure to work for them for the past sixteen years. “There are lots of great county employees, from the courthouse to the road crews, to conservation, who handle issues every day; they made my job easy!” Fellow Webster County Supervisors have parting words for Keith as he enters retirement:
“I’m going to miss Supervisor Dencklau. We’ll all miss him tremendously. Whether he was walking the courthouse stairs in the mornings, bringing up the questions no one else considering during drainage meetings, or not shying away from sharing his opinions as we sat around the desk, he was a constant wealth of knowledge. Thank you, Keith, for all that you have done and continue to do for our community.” – Niki Conrad, Webster County Chairperson
“Wishing Keith the best on his retirement, although we know he will not truly retire! Keith was a great asset for me as I began my journey into my role as a Supervisor. Congratulations Keith!” – Nick Carlson, Vice Chairperson
“Keith’s ability to work with anyone is second to none. The historical knowledge and ability to share it will be missed. I will miss seeing him walk his laps in the morning and his music playing throughout the building. Hope you enjoy your travels and time with your family.“ – Mark Campbell
