Progress
Corridor Plaza
where it closed in 2022.
Shopping magnet
Corridor Plaza attracts shoppers with new stores
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
Every day, people can be seen going in and out of the three newest stores in Corridor Plaza — Dunham’s Sports, Shoe Sensation and Maurice’s. Not far away from those stores, the finishing touches are being put on the new Chick-fil-A restaurant.
“Our vision for Chick-fil-A Fort Dodge is to inspire future generations by building a legacy of remarkable care,” said Adam Heynen, the restaurant’s owner. On the western edge of the development, an immense building that will house indoor sports and a brewpub/restaurant is being constructed. The 200-by-250-foot pavilion will house four basketball courts, three pickleball courts and a microbrewery restaurant.
It will be owned and operated by M & M LLC, of Ankeny. After what seemed like a long construction process, the site of the former Crossroads Mall is once again becoming a hotbed of retail commerce. And there is more to come.
ULTA, a cosmetics store, will open in the same building with Dunham’s Sports, Shoe Sensation and Maurice’s. That store is scheduled to open this spring, according to BJ Stokesbary, a spokesman for Crossroads Plaza Development
LLC, of Ankeny, which owns the site.
The building that houses all those stores was the Younkers wing of the former Crossroads Mall, and it is the only portion of the mall that is still standing. The new owners refer to it as the Power Center.
The ULTA store will fill the last vacancy in the Power Center. However, there is still space within Corridor Plaza.
Stokesbary said Autozone and Dairy Queen have both purchased lots in the development. Autozone will be located at the north end of the site, west of UnityPoint Clinic Express. Construction of the store hasn’t started yet.
Details on the new Dairy Queen haven’t been released yet.
And while the new stores and the pavilion are the most eye-catching new developments in Corridor Plaza over the last year, Stokesbary said that something just as important, but far less visible was also completed. He said all the roads, storm sewers, water mains and sanitary sewer mains are now complete.
This year, an outdoor plaza will be built on the west side of the property near the pavilion.
Stokesbary said there are four or five lots remaining in
See PLAZA, Page 7D
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
CHICK-FIL-A opened this week in the Corridor Plaza in Fort Dodge. It is part of the redevelopment of the former Crossroads Mall area.
Timeline of Corridor Plaza Development
The transformation of the former Crossroads Mall property began in late 2019 when the former Sears store at its south end was torn down.
The JCPenny store on the north end was demolished a year later.
Crossroads Plaza Development LLC, of Ankeny, completed its purchase of the property in early 2020 and announced plans to turn it into a multi-use area of stores, restaurants, a hotel and outdoor gathering spaces.
The center core section of the mall was demolished in the fall of 2022.
A new section of Second Avenue South was built across the northern end of the site and a new section of 27th Street crosses the site from north to south.
Businesses in Corridor Plaza now include UnityPoint Clinic Express, Teriyaki Madness, Clean Laundry, T-Mobile, Tidal Wave Auto Spa, Dunham’s Sports, Maurice’s and Shoe Sensation.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
DUNHAM'S SPORTS OPENED in the new Corridor Plaza area before Christmas. The business had previously been located in Crossroads Mall,
Webster Co. to welcome biorefinery
CJ Bio America, Lygos join forces to build new facility west of Fort Dodge
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
A new biorefinery employing about 60 people will be built in Webster County as a result of a partnership between CJ Bio America and Lygos Inc.
The planned facility will be located close to the CJ Bio America plant in the ag industrial park west of Fort Dodge called Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation. It will produce biodegradable polymers and other sustainable chemicals. Lygos Inc. reported that up to 40,000 metric tons a year of Soltellus biodegradable polymers would initially be produced.
Construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months.
“CJ Bio has recently formed a precision fermentation CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) business to bring more bio-based solutions to market,”
Lance Choi, chief executive officer of CJ Bio America, said in a written statement. “Scaling up our existing CDMO partnership with Lygos to manufacture commercial quantities of their products will help us serve our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable products to large markets.”
Eric Steen, founder and chief executive officer of Lygos Inc., said his company is “looking forward to contributing to a community with a rich and growing history in biomanufacturing.”
“We’ve identified clear, higher performance value propositions with our customers, launched those products to the market, and are now pleased to be expanding our partnership with CJ to develop a biorefinery complex in Fort Dodge to commercially manufacture our products at a readily expandable facility,” he said in a writ-
ten statement.
“We’re pioneering a new business model for efficiently bringing sustainable solutions to market,” said Steen. “The biorefinery complex, combined with our unique ‘Collaborate to Accelerate’ strategy, allows us to control the entire product de-
“We’re pioneering a new business model for efficiently bringing sustainable solutions to market.”
— Eric Steen Founder, chief executive officer of Lygos, Inc.
velopment process from idea to R and D (research and development), to commercial delivery, helping us expand the scale of our flagship products while offering significant future value potential.”
The announcement was welcomed by local leaders.
“Webster County, the city of Fort Dodge and the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance are committed to fostering growth and prosperity in the region, and this announcement is the first step in what we believe will become a positive economic development opportunity in our county,” said Astra Ferris, chief executive officer of the Growth Alliance.
“Projects like these bring a significant amount of investment to our area, which positively impacts our communities and our quality of life,” she added. “We will continue to steward this, and all other prospects for economic growth, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities to come.”
The CJ Bio America plant produces amino acids used in feed for poultry and hogs. It also produces a liquid soil
amendment.
The plant opened in 2013 and has been expanded twice since then.
Lygos Inc., based in Hayward, California, was founded in 2011.
According to the company’s website, it uses biology, chemistry and application expertise to make sustainable products which are used in agriculture, personal care products and other diverse uses.
THE CJ BIO AMERICA PLANT is shown in this aerial view. A new biorefinery will be built nearby as a result of a partnership between CJ Bio America and Lygos Inc.
‘A great day to celebrate’
n New product line debuts at Cargill facility west of Fort Dodge n Corn syrup production brings food grade item to local plant
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
Tucked into the bewildering maze of machines, tanks, pipes and railroad tracks that is the Cargill plant in Webster County is a new facility that will produce the first foodgrade product in the county.
That recent addition to the plant will produce corn syrup, much of which will eventually be used to make candy.
Cargill employees, customers of the company and local leaders gathered in October to celebrate the debut of the corn syrup production line.
“I definitely thought this was a great day to celebrate,” said Astra Ferris, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
Ferris attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new facility in October.
“This is a world-class facility,” she said.
Former Webster County Supervisor Mark Campbell, who was also on hand for the
“The impact is definitely great as far as economic impact.”
— Astra Ferris, Chief executive officer, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance
“Cargill sets the bar high.”
— Mark Campbell, Former Webster County supervisor
event, agreed, saying, “Cargill sets the bar high.”
“The impact is definitely great as far as economic impact,” Ferris said. “We want to make sure at the Growth Alliance that we are constant-
ly promoting growth not only by new businesses but by existing businesses as well. This is an example of growth by an existing business. That’s exciting to see that come to fruition.”
Sales • SERVICE
Campbell said he is “incredibly excited about the continued reinvestment” by Cargill.
The addition of corn syrup production to the plant was announced in August 2022, and construction began soon after that.
Since the project was announced, Cargill leaders have consistently said that it would not create a lot of new jobs but would create opportunities for current employees to get more training and move into higher paying jobs.
The corn syrup production area is on the south side of the plant and despite its size isn’t visible from any road.
The finished corn syrup is a very thick clear fluid that is shipped out of the plant in tank cars.
Company officials declined to say how much corn syrup the plant will make.
The Cargill plant in the ag industrial park called Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation opened in 2013.
Opened: 2013
Products: Corn syrup, dextrose, ethanol, feed for cattle, corn protein meal fed to poultry, corn germ, and a molasses-like substance called corn steep liquor
Employees: 160 Cargill employees plus 80 people who work for various contractors who are assigned to the plant
Corn use: 150,000 bushels per day
Corn deliveries: 250 trucks a day, five days a week
Water use: 3 million gallons per day
Since 1949
-Messenger file photo by Bill Shea
SYDNEY POKORNY, center, the Cargill Fort Dodge Biotechnology Campus facility manager, cuts a red ribbon last fall to signify the opening of the company’s new corn syrup production facility. The multimillion dollar facility was added to the current Cargill plant in the Iowa Crossroads of Global Innovation ag industrial park west of Fort Dodge.
C argill P lant S ummary
New name, new focus
Crossroads Hotel and Event Center debuts at former Best Western site
The Crossroads Hotel and Event Center has replaced the former Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites in Fort Dodge.
The property ceased to be a Best Western as of Dec. 2, and was rebranded as the Crossroads Hotel and Event Center.
“In looking at our hotel guest composition, we felt like the Best Western brand had run its course here in Fort Dodge,” said Matt Johnson, board chairman of Crossroads Partners LLC, a group of local investors who purchased the property in January 2020.
“We are excited to reposition the hotel as a locally-owned, independent property free from the restrictions of a national franchise,” he added.
Johnson said the property didn’t require any major remodeling as part of the conversion.
“The hotel is already in good condition so the rebranding will only require some minor cosmetic updates, new signage, a new website, new uniforms for our staff and some other enhancements in order to complete the conversion to the Crossroads Hotel & Event Center,” he said.
He added that the hotel will retain all of its current employees. “There’s, of course, a lot of work to do on a property conversion like this,” Johnson said, “but along with that comes a lot of excitement and fresh enthusiasm from our staff, guests and community partners.”
Johnson said that some of the property’s exterior rooms are being converted to more of an extended stay concept to meet the needs of guests who are coming to Fort Dodge for several weeks or months. The extended stays will be available at a monthly rate rather than a daily rate, and will include additional amenities such as in-room cook-
ing facilities and dishes.
“We already have guests who have been staying with us for over a year,” Johnson said. “A number of local companies have expressed interest in more extended stay options, so we are going to offer several reimagined units in order to help meet that demand.”
Johnson said that the Hacienda restaurant currently located on site is leased to an independent operator and will remain open.
The hotel event and meeting center has recently been leased to Rock City Events, LLC, a local company founded by Macy Johnson, a young entrepreneur who graduated from Iowa Central Community College with degrees in hospitality and digi-
tal marketing. The events center and hotel will operate together to offer a variety of new entertainment and staycation options.
“We are super excited for the opportunity to re-energize the events center at the Crossroads property,” Macy Johnson said.
“It’s a beautiful facility with a storied history in Fort Dodge and it’s going to be a lot of fun bringing the space back to life.”
“We will still offer our guests unforgettable wedding experiences, business meetings, conferences and other traditional event offerings,” she said, “but together with the hotel we are expanding the vision for the property to include a variety of entertainment, staycation packages, themed parties, dances,
celebrations and other activities that will give people a broader experience, and more reasons to come visit our community.”
The property’s location at the junction of U.S. Highway 169 and Iowa Highway 7 offers high visibility and easy access for travelers, including those flying into the Fort Dodge Regional Airport just a few miles to the northeast.
“The vision is for the Crossroads Hotel and Event Center to be a comfortable place to stay and a place where a lot of things are happening,” Matt Johnson said. “We are the largest hotel property in this part of Iowa with the best amenities, including the central indoor pool area, the on-site restaurant, and our on-site meeting and event space.
“We are super excited for the opportunity to re-energize the events center at the Crossroads property. It’s a beautiful facility with a storied history in Fort Dodge and it’s going to be a lot of fun bringing the space back to life.”
— Macy Johnson Owner, Rock City Events, LLC
There are over 100 rooms with a variety of room styles to choose from, including poolside rooms that are perfect for family fun, quiet exterior rooms for business travelers, economy rooms for budget conscious travelers, and the new extended stay units for guests who are looking for a more comfortable place to come home to while in the area.”
Crossroads Partners LLC is also the owner of the Brookstone Inn & Suites property located at First Avenue South and 32nd Street. The Brookstone was built in 2019 and remains the newest hotel in the community. The two properties share a shuttle van and other resources. Both hotels are managed by Ledgestone Hospitality out of Minneapolis.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
THE CROSSROADS HOTEL AND EVENT CENTER, which debuted in December, has replaced the former Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites in Fort Dodge.
‘More farm and field’
Claas Farmpoint is coming to Webster County
By KELLI BLOOMQUIST editor@messengernews.net
BARNUM — A new farm dealership that is “less brick and mortar, more farm and field” will be opening in Webster County.
Claas Farmpoint, a division of global farm machinery manufacturer Claas, has signed a lease agreement on a temporary site in Barnum and has hired three technicians to support Webster County area farmers.
Claas Farmpoint, a mobile-first, technology-driven dealership, provides hands-on support and parts delivery for customers, along with remote diagnostic and maintenance capabilities so farmers never have to leave the field.
“In August we held a town hall meeting with the Claas customers in central Iowa,” said Eric Raby, senior vice president of Claas Americas Region. “The feedback we received was clear: ‘Come and come quickly.’ This temporary location allows us to set up shop now while we work on a permanent location targeting the I-35 corridor.”
Raby said Claas will complete the Barnum location this winter while stocking it with parts and preparing service trucks and parts delivery vehicles for farmers before the spring planting season begins.
The Barnum location is the second new one Claas is opening in Iowa — having added a dealership in LeMars in July.
“These two dealerships, along with the expansion of Porter’s Ag Solutions in Earlham, an existing Claas dealer
-Submitted photos
now certified to service Claas combines, will help bridge the gap as Claas works to ensure that their customers have the support they need,” said Raby. In addition to hands-on service in the field, the Barnum location will also offer the full
Claas tractor range, Jaguar forage harvesters, and a wide selection of Claas balers and hay tools. According to Claas, in the past, the only products available in the north central Iowa region were Claas Lexion and Trion combines.
CLAAS FARMPOINT will open a new location near Fort Dodge this winter. The temporary location already has three experienced Claas technicians ready to support area farmers.
“Our service trucks and parts vans make it easy to perform maintenance, make most repairs and otherwise engage with farmers on a personal level where they live,” said Raby.
“Farmers are more than welcome to come visit our dealership, but with our remote service capabilities our technicians can often detect service needs before the farmer — making on-farm repairs and parts delivery quick and seamless.
“We are committed to pro-
“We are committed to providing world-class service to our customers in Iowa and this is just the first step. More locations will be added in the near future.”
-Eric Raby Senior vice president of
Claas Americas Region
viding world-class service to our customers in Iowa and this is just the first step,” he added. “More locations will be added in the near future.”
A family-friendly atmosphere
New owners of River Hops Brewing stress customer experience, local partnerships
By MARK ADKINS editor@messengernews.net
Greg and Ann Larson have a love of experimentation.
And Fort Dodge area beer lovers couldn’t be happier. The new owners of River Hops Brewing, located downtown at 1014 Central Ave., are keeping what former owners Ron and Diane Grebner started and adding some of their own creations.
Twenty years of home brewing led them to the possibility of owning the business that the Grebners opened in the summer of 2018.
“When I heard River Hops was for sale, I knew instantly we were going to buy it, then spent the next six months making it happen,” Greg Larson said. “It’s been great and somewhat nerve-wracking to own a business, but the great side outweighs the other.”
The Eagle Grove natives closed on the business sale on Sept. 30. They’ve added some new aesthetics, including a popcorn machine and new chairs and couches for customers, along with plans to expand the drink menu.
“I come back to the experimentation thought,” Greg Larson said. “You try something and if it doesn’t work, you move on with another idea.”
So far, the results have been impressive, and the Larsons plan to offer several new drinks, including their own creations, hard seltzers, flavored malts, ready-to-drink cocktails, and more.
“We’re not making significant changes to anything Ron and Diane created,” he said. “Any changes are additive. Ron and Diane were, and continue to be, a tremendous help to us as we carry on the River Hops tradition.”
“It comes down to two things — customer experience and local partnerships,” he added. “River Hops Brewing and its craft beer is for everyone to foster conversations, develop partnerships, and strength-
en community. We see friends, family, co-workers, and members of the community coming together, sitting down and sharing their lives and discussing what needs to get done while taking in the welcom-
ABOVE: River Hops coowner Greg Larson stands behind the bar with the drink menu.
LEFT: A look at the brewery operation for River Hops is shown here.
ing presence of our tap room, sitting back and taking in live music, or at home watching a game with neighbors sharing our beer.”
Last fall, the Larsons hosted an Oktoberfest celebration.
“When we found out the city Oktoberfest celebration had fallen through, we decided to
put together our own,” Greg Larson said.
He said it gave them a chance to introduce themselves to the community and meet new people.
Like the young family they are, the Larsons welcome adults, children, and everyone through their doors.
“It’s a family-friendly atmosphere,” he said. “We have board games, a tradition that Ron and Diane started, live music routinely, and more things planned for the future.”
The Larsons continue to experiment at every stage … just as they did while developing their love of brewing.
“Ann had the idea first,” Greg Larson said. “We gave it a shot, and our first attempt was good. We haven’t stopped since.”
-Messenger file photos by Mark Adkins
Coming soon
northwest side
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
Dollar General is building a DG Market store on the northwest side of Fort Dodge.
It will be the company’s second location in Fort Dodge when it opens this year. However, it will offer more groceries than the Dollar General store at 1810 First Ave. S.
According to an announcement from the company, DG Market stores offer fresh meat, produce, refrigerated and frozen food and dairy products. The produce offerings at a DG Market include what the company describes as the top 20 items typically sold in grocery stores, which include lettuce, tomatoes, onions, apples, bananas, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes, and salad mixes.
Continued from Page 1D
the complex.
He said the goal of building a hotel north of the plaza remains, while the remaining lots would be for other restaurants or stores.
Power Center stores
The opening of the Power Center marked a return to Fort Dodge for Dunham’s Sports and Maurice’s, which both had stores in the former Crossroads Mall. And it marked a return to its local roots for Shoe Sensation, which had a store in the mall, moved to a site on Second Avenue North when the mall closed, and then moved to Corridor Plaza.
All three stores opened in early November, in time for the Christmas shopping season.
“Fort Dodge has always been a great community for Dunham’s Sports and we are excited to be returning bigger and better than ever,” David Lynch, the company’s president, said when the new local store opened.
Dunham’s Sports previously had a store in the mall, which closed in 2022.
The stores offer general merchandise as well.
Getting a grocery store in the city’s Northwest River District has been a goal of neighborhood residents and city planners for several years.
The store at 1149 Third Avenue Northwest will measure 10,620 square feet. It will employ 10 to 15 people.
Dollar General may also have a third store in Fort Dodge in the future.
Vickie Reeck, the city’s community and economic development manager, said the company expects to close on the purchase of some property on North 15th Street in March.
Dollar General, based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, has had a store in Fort Dodge since 1993. It was once located at 2736 First Ave. S., north of Aldi. In 2018, the current store on First Avenue South opened.
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Investing in the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance is an investment in your organization and the entire community. When our local economy thrives, every business benefits. That’s our mission— to grow the economy by actively engaging businesses, stakeholders, and community members. Join us in building a stronger, more vibrant community where prepared communities win.
Vickie Reeck
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
DUNHAM'S SPORTS is part of what's considered the Power Center of the Corridor Plaza. The store opened in early November 2024.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
CHICK-FIL-A became the newest restaurant in Fort Dodge this week when it opened on the Corridor Plaza.
Poised to grow
n Expansion project to add 50 new jobs n State awards tax benefits for project
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
The Nestle Purina PetCare plant, which has long been a mainstay of the Fort Dodge economy, is having another growth spurt.
“This expansion is going to be a game changer,” said Astra Ferris, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
To illustrate just what a game changer the expansion will be, she offered these statistics:
n $200 million worth of capital investment.
n 50 net new jobs with starting wages ranging from $27 to $30 an hour.
“We’re very excited to see Nestle continue to make investments, adding jobs and value to their facility here in Fort Dodge,” Mayor Matt Bemrich said.
The footprint of the plant at 2400 Fifth Ave. S. will be changed. And perhaps most noticeable to those traveling on busy Fifth Avenue South will be a new turn lane by the plant.
“Our journey with this project began back in October 2023 and after persistent efforts and unwavering collaboration, we’ve successfully crossed the finish line,” Ferris said.
That finish line was crossed when the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board moved to support the expansion by awarding Nestle Purina PetCare tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs program.
That action came after Fort Dodge, Webster County and Iowa Central Community College moved to support the expansion.
The City Council committed $1.6 million to be paid over 10 years. That money will come from tax increment financing, which occurs when increased property tax revenue from a designated area is set aside to be reinvested in that area.
The Webster County Board of Supervisors agreed to give the city $400,000 to be used as matching funds for a state grant received to pay for building the turning lane on Fifth Avenue South.
Iowa Central Community College has agreed to provide job training to Nestle Purina workers in conjunction with the expansion.
“Iowa Central’s economic development team led by Shelly Blunk, in coordination with college President Dr. Jesse Ulrich and the Growth Alliance, were happy to provide a job training proposal to support this wonderful expansion,” said Jim Kersten, the college’s vice president of government affairs and external rela-
tions. “Details are to be worked out, but the assistance could total financial support of $500,000 via the useful 260E New Jobs Training Program.”
The company will construct an 80,000-squarefoot expansion to install a new product line, according to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
The company has not made any public statements about the project.
The plant produces canned cat food.
A $200 million expansion is a remarkable achievement for a plant that in 1995, seemed destined to close.
That year, the Federal Trade Commission issued a ruling that would have effectively shut down the plant, then owned by Carnation. Carnation wanted to buy Alpo. The Trade Commission issued an order directing Carnation to unload a portion of its wet cat food production before it would approve the sale. The only practical way for the company to do so would have been to sell the Fort Dodge plant, which would basi-
cally doom it.
State and local officials and average citizens pushed back. The letters, petitions and appearances before the commission paid off,
prompting it to reverse its ruling. In fact, the Fort Dodge case is the only one in which the commission has ever reversed itself.
“I think that has al-
ways stuck with Nestle,” Bemrich said. “That showed that the community sees Nestle not just as a business, but as a partner, as a community member in themselves.”
By BILL SHEA
on Fifth Avenue South in front of the growing Nestle Purina PetCare plant would be reduced by the presence of a new turning lane.
The Iowa Transportation Commission last summer awarded a $344,450 grant for the construction of the lane, which will enable westbound traffic to turn right into the facility at 2400 Fifth Ave. S. That grant will cover 80 percent of the estimated $435,563 cost of creating the turning lane.
The Webster County Board of Supervisors has committed to providing the remaining 20 percent of the needed money.
The plant makes canned cat food.
In February, it was announced that the company would invest $175 million in the facility to add a new product line.
The project will include an 80,000-square-foot building expansion.
It will create 50 net new jobs with starting wages ranging from $27 to $30 per hour.
“With their addition, there will be more employees and more truck traffic, which makes it necessary to get the additional turning lane,” said Vickie Reeck, the city’s community and economic development manager.
She said the new turning lane will reduce the risk of vehicles being struck from behind as they attempt to turn into the plant.
Last April, the City Council hired Snyder & Associates, of Ankeny, to design that turning lane at a cost of $99,850. Reeck said construction of it will begin this spring.
Greater Fort DoDGe Growth alliance
Elevating performance
Growth Alliance sees year of change, as it recruits new businesses and supports existing ones
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
“Elevate” is the buzz word around the offices of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
It became that when the staff committed to elevating its performance in every aspect of its economic and community development work.
“Everything that we do — we’re going to look at how we can do it better,” said Astra Ferris, the alliance’s chief executive officer.
“I am super excited about the direction our organization is going,” she added.
The past year was one of change for the organization, as it completed 18 months in which nearly an entirely new staff was formed. In that time, Ferris became CEO, Jefferson Fosbender became economic development director, Emily Ayres became operations coordinator, Katy Grobe became marketing specialist and Kamisha Mosley became administrative assistant. Jill Nelson, who started in 2014 as community development manager, was promoted to vice president last year. She is the longest serving member of the staff.
The turnover didn’t slow down the alliance’s work, however.
Alliance staffers refer to the list of economic development projects they are working on as “the pipeline.” There is a lot in that pipeline right now.
It includes a potential for more than 1,000 new jobs and $6 billion in capital investment.
“Our pipeline is just very robust,” Ferris said.
She added that in the last few months, Fort Dodge and Webster County received four site visits from companies looking to expand.
“That is always a positive,” Ferris said.
In addition to recruiting new businesses, the alliance is also committed to supporting existing businesses.
To help accomplish that goal, a Small Business Task Force was created last year. Its mission is to proactively ad-
“We want (youth) to always think fondly of Fort Dodge and be excited about the possibility of moving back and raising a family here.”
— Jill Nelson Vice president, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance
dress the needs of existing small businesses so that they can thrive. The task force includes representatives from the Growth Alliance, Iowa Central Community College, the city government and the Small Business Development Center. Both existing and new businesses bring new residents into Fort Dodge to meet their workforce needs. Helping those newcomers get acclimated and feel right at home is the goal of the alliance’s Community Concierge program. There are about 40 local people who volunteer to be concierges. Their role is to serve as guides and mentors to people moving into Fort Dodge, helping them learn about all the amenities in the community.
Nelson said a business that has hired someone from out of town can contact the Growth Alliance
and ask to have that newcomer paired with a concierge. She said with a concierge, a newcomer
will “have a go-to person right away” to help them figure out Fort Dodge. Housing is a key part
of both the economic development and community development missions. In 2024, Fort Dodge became one of the first five communities in the state to receive the Iowa Thriving Communities designation in recognition of its innovative efforts to expand housing options. The designation makes it easier for the community to receive housing related tax credits from the state government.
“This gives us a huge advantage we did not have before,” Ferris said. “We want to make sure that we’re poised for growth and prepared to win.”
For years, the Growth Alliance has conducted the Leadership Fort Dodge program to help people learn about their community and hopefully prepare to take leading roles in it. It also offers a Junior Leadership program for high school students.
Nelson said in 2024, that program grew to include 40 students per session.
She said the program is promoted as “the backstage pass to the community.”
“We want them to always think fondly of Fort Dodge and be excited about the possibility of moving back and raising a family here,” Nelson said.
She said that during the course of the Junior Leadership program “we make significant progress in their perception of the community.”
-Submitted photo
WEBSTER COUNTY SUPERVISOR CHAIRWOMAN NIKI CONRAD leads a mock meeting with members of Junior Leadership Fort Dodge. The students toured the Webster County Courthouse recently and learned about how government entities and departments work.
-Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla
-Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla
CAMERON NELSON of Fort Dodge, left, was named this year’s Volunteer of the Year, while Vickie Reeck was the Catalyst Award recipient at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner on Feb. 29, 2024, at Fort Frenzy.
Showcasing Fort Dodge
Community’s assets detailed for developers
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
For companies that build homes, Fort Dodge is now the place to be.
That is the case local leaders made last month to a group of home builders during the city’s first Developers Showcase.
Leaders of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance and the city government touted upcoming economic development prospects, local amenities and several spots where builders could get to work right away.
And Debi Durham, the director of both the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, told the gathered home builders that “Fort Dodge’s success story is an inspiring model for the rest of the state.”
About 45 people attended the event, which began in the Municipal Building and concluded with a bus tour of the city, highlighting potential housing locations.
“When all Iowans have access to affordable homes, families, communities and businesses can thrive,” Durham said.
“Fort Dodge’s story is a testament to how economic development and housing go hand and hand,” Durham said. “With over 1,000 new jobs and $6 billion in capital investment on the horizon, the city recognizes the urgent need for quality housing to support its growing workforce.”
The 1,000 jobs and $6 billion in capital investment she
-Messenger file photo by Bill Shea
DEBI DURHAM, center at podium, addresses the Fort Dodge Developers Showcase recently at the Municipal Building. Durham, who is the director of both the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, was the keynote speaker at the event promoting Fort Dodge to housing developers.
mentioned may result from various economic development prospects the Growth Alliance and local government are now working with.
“Those are all opportunities that are on the table now,”
Mayor Matt Bemrich said.
The housing areas highlighted during the showcase were:
n Williams Bend and Williams Ridge along Williams Drive between 20th and 24th avenues north.
n Lincoln neighborhood
along North Eighth Street north of downtown.
n Northwest River District along Third Avenue Northwest.
n Downtown.
n The former Willow Ridge Golf Course northwest of Fort Dodge.
n Sunrise Drive in Gowrie.
Late last year, Fort Dodge received the Iowa Thriving Community designation from the state government. It is one of the first five communities in Iowa to receive that designation.
“This program celebrates communities going above and beyond to create innovative housing opportunities,” Durham said.
The designation gives the community the chance to score more favorably on tax credit applications for housing programs, according to Astra Ferris, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
Housing study shows demand in Fort Dodge
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
A newly released study shows a healthy demand for new homes in Fort Dodge in the next five years.
Astra Ferris, chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, presented a summary of the study’s results to the City Council. It shows a need for 226 new homes in the city by 2029, she said. Of that total, 149 of the homes would be for sale and 77 would be for rent.
Ferris said that projected need is tied to a 15 percent increase in average household income in Fort Dodge by 2029.
The study was prepared by Next Move Group LLC, of Pensacola, Florida. Ferris said the study was commissioned after a developer asked if there was any such information for the community.
Ferris said the study ties in with the city’s designation as an Iowa Thriving Community.
FD council supports apartment proposal
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
The Third Avenue Northwest corridor in Fort Dodge may be transformed by the creation of a large new apartment complex.
If a zoning change and all other necessary approvals are awarded, construction could begin in June 2026.
Hoppe Development of Lincoln, Nebraska, has proposed the project. It would be a 65-unit complex on the south side of Third Avenue Northwest between Fifth and 10th streets northwest on what is now vacant city-owned land. The site is about three acres.
Evan Clark, a representative of Hoppe Development, told the City Council that the complex would include a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units. He said the rent would range from $750 to $1,750 per month.
The original proposal was for 90 units. Clark said that was revised to 65 units after the city’s Plan and Zoning Commission recommended a multifamily residential zoning status that would permit one dwelling unit per 2,000 square feet of lot area.
Astra Ferris, the chief executive officer of the Great-
er Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, told the council that the proposal is in line with both the city’s Re-Envision 2030 strategic plan and its recent housing study.
Wendy Stephan, the executive director of the Fort Dodge Housing Agency, said the presence of the new apartments will greatly reduce the waiting list of local residents seeking affordable housing.
One of the approvals needed for the project is advancing.
The City Council has approved two of the three required readings needed to switch the zoning of the site from office commercial and single-family residential to multifamily residential.
Final action on the zoning and the transfer of land to the developer is expected during the Feb. 10 council meeting.
-Submitted images AN APARTMENT COMPLEX proposed for Third Avenue Northwest between Fifth and 10th streets northwest may look like this (see photos at left and below). The complex is being proposed by Hoppe Development, of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Astra Ferris
Matt Bemrich
Fort DoDge regional airport
Upgrading to new heights
Several projects on tap for FD airport; federal grant to pay for taxiway lights
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
Contractors will be all over the grounds of the Fort Dodge Regional Airport this year, doing everything from replacing an outdated lighting system to patching runways.
“This is probably the most projects that we have done in one year ever,” said Rhonda Chambers, the airport’s director of aviation.
Chambers is especially proud of one upcoming project and how it is getting paid for. The airport has been awarded about $1.2 million from the federal government to pay for replacing some old incandescent lights along a taxiway.
Chambers said she learned that the federal government was going to dispense some leftover money from the 2023 Airport Improvement Plan. She submitted a proposal to replace the blue lights that line one of the taxiways, which are the paths that planes travel on between the runways and the terminal. Right now those lights are incandescent, which she said are expensive and difficult to get. The proposal she submitted would replace the incandescent lights that line the longest taxi-
way with LED lights. The LED lights will be easier to maintain and will reduce the airport’s electric bill, she said. Airports around the nation filed 353 applications for that leftover money.
A total of 62 grants were awarded and the Fort Dodge Regional Airport received one of them.
Northwest Bank offers ITM service
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
A new Northwest Bank location in Fort Dodge enables customers to talk to, and literally see, a banker without getting out of their vehicle. This is possible thanks to an Interactive Teller Machine at the bank’s site on Kenyon Road.
“We want to be able to offer our customers several ways to do banking,” said John Taets, regional bank president for Northwest Bank. “It just allows people to do their banking when they want to do their banking.”
The device that will make that possible looks and works like a conventional ATM. And Taets said customers can use it just like they use an ATM to get cash. But the machine offers the chance to connect with a banker to do a lot of other tasks. A customer merely has to tap the screen and a Northwest Bank employee, typically someone from the bank’s service center in Spencer, will come on to help the customer.
“It is an advanced technology that connects our customers face-to-face with a live Northwest Bank employee through the ATM video screen,” Taets said.
Using the live banking service, customers can make deposits and withdrawals, cash checks, transfer funds between accounts and make loan payments. Applying for loans and opening new accounts are about the only things customers will not be able to do via this service.
The service will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. At other times, the device will only offer traditional ATM services.
The Interactive Teller Machine is the focal point of the bank’s site at Kenyon Road and Avenue E, across from UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Taets said the bank has owned that site for 15 to 20 years, with the goal of someday expanding there. He said the presence of large employers on the west side of Fort Dodge makes it an inviting area to expand.
Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, was the general contractor for the project. That company recently finished an expansion of the bank’s office at 10 N. 29th St.
“The odds of us receiving a grant in a nationwide competition were slim to none,” Chambers said. “The airport has never received a supplemental discretionary grant of this type before.”
The federal government awarded $1,230,975 for the $1,367,750 project. That leaves $136,775
to be paid for from local sources.
The necessary design and engineering work for the new lighting system is underway, with construction to start this fall.
Other projects on tap for this year include:
n Completing the construction of a new hangar.
n Updating the fuel
dispensing system.
n Rehabilitating one runway.
n Rehabilitating one taxiway.
n Removing a Quonset style hangar.
n Renovating the awning on the terminal.
Chambers said the new hangar under construction is scheduled to be com-
“The odds of us receiving a grant in a nationwide competition were slim to none. The airport has never received a supplemental discretionary grant of this type before.”
— Rhonda Chambers Director of aviation, Fort Dodge Regional Airport
pleted in March. That hangar is replacing a 1960s vintage wood frame hangar that was demolished. Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, is the general contractor.
Despite all the work that will be going on this year, one runway will always be open, according to Chambers.
THIS IS THE 1960S VINTAGE WOOD FRAME HANGAR at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport after its siding had been stripped off. Airport operations workers demolished the building and the wood was burned. A larger steel frame hangar is being built to replace it.
CREWS FROM JENSEN BUILDERS LTD., are constructing a new, large hangar at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. The steel frame is up and siding is being put in place. Depending on the weather, the building could be done in March. -Submitted photos
-Submitted photo
RHONDA CHAMBERS, right, the director of aviation at Fort Dodge Regional Airport, accepts the Central Region Airport Safety and Recognition Award from Rodney Joel, acting director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Central Region Airports Division.
Overcoming challenges
Archibald Electric owner plans for growth
By JOHN MCBRIDE editor@messengernews.net
Trevor Archibald faced a few daunting obstacles when he decided to open his business, Archibald Electric LLC, in the spring of 2019.
First, he was opening a business in a very competitive market in Fort Dodge, one that has several long-established electrical companies. Second, he purchased a building to house his business and his wife’s hair salon. And he was just getting going in the spring of 2020, and everyone remembers what happened then — the pandemic.
Despite all that, Archibald’s endeavor paid off and his business is thriving and expanding.
Locat -
ed at 22 S. Third St., Archibald Electric now has 14 employees and a newly opened branch in Des Moines, which is also starting to find its footing.
hard and stressful, but it’s been good. I always like a good challenge.”
He started out with just himself doing all the work, then he kept adding a few employees at a time, including his father and brothers. Now he’s got more than a dozen employees here and is looking to add more in Des Moines.
“It’s a really good field to be working in,” he said. “You can get paid well and it’s rewarding. And you don’t have to go to college for very long.”
“It was very important that we opened our business here. I grew up here and we have family and friends here, which helped with getting business.”
— Trevor Archibald Owner of Archibald Electric
“We had a lot of established business to compete with for sure,” Archibald said. “But we have a good group. I feel our guys are the best in town. I have extreme OCD, which is good. I really stress that everything has to be perfect.”
Archibald Electric offers residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural electrical services. It also offers 24-hour emergency services, and sales and installation of generators for residences.
“We have a good balance of work between those areas,” he said. “We have a bunch of different projects going on. We do work on cooking equipment, too. We’ll do just about anything.”
Archibald graduated from Iowa Central Community College and then went to work for an ethanol plant before moving onto one of the gypsum mills.
While working those jobs, he was logging hours to earn his license. When his schedule was unexpectedly switched to nights, he made the decision to go into business for himself.
“Opening a business is scary for sure,” said Archibald, a 2008 Fort Dodge Senior High School graduate. “I was opening a new business; we were buying a house. And I had three kids. There were a few nights when I came home that I thought about just going back to work for someone else, but I didn’t want to do that. It has been
Currently, Archibald has a couple of people completing apprenticeships with his company. He would definitely encourage any high school or college student to consider a career as an electrician.
“When you make good money and you can enjoy your work, it’s nice,” he said. When he was looking to open his own business, Archibald said there was no other place than Fort Dodge that he wanted to be located.
“It was very important that we opened our business here,” he said. “I grew up here and we have family and friends here, which helped with getting business.”
He looked at his current building a few months after opening and felt it was a good fit for his company and his wife’s salon. The building where the salon is now located used to be an old coffee shop.
“I felt like this would be perfect for her salon. We revamped that and this was a shop, so it kind of worked out perfectly. But that even added more stress,” he said. “It’s still stressful, but things are going well.”
His wife, Jenna, owns J & Co. Style Studio, located at 18 S. Third St.
As for the future, along with the Des Moines branch opening, Archibald foresees the need for a larger location in Fort Dodge.
“In the next couple of years, we are definitely going to need a bigger spot,” he said. “I have been keeping my eye on some land so we can build a bigger shop, but I am in no hurry. This location is working well and we own the building right across the street and my wife’s business is right next door, which is nice.”
Messenger file photo by John McBride
TREVOR ARCHIBALD stands outside his shop located at 22 S. Third St. Archibald Electric has been offering a variety of services since 2019.
They keep on dancing
By JOHN MCBRIDE editor@messengernews.net
When Sandy and Roger Hollingsworth were ready to turn over the reins to their longtime dance studio in Fort Dodge, they didn’t have to look very far.
Waiting in the wings was their daughter, Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle, who rebranded the renowned dance academy VDA Powerstars Dance and Gymnastics.
And when Hollingsworth Vinchattle was looking for another accomplished coach to help with her new endeavor, she didn’t have to look far either, adding her daughter, Tiffany DeCastro, as one of the main coaches and teachers on the staff.
VDA Powerstars occupies the same space that Hollingsworth School of Dance called home for decades. The building at 721 S. 25th St., is still undergoing some changes as it moves into a new era.
“It was just an easy transition when my parents were ready to step back and hand it over to us,” said Hollingsworth Vinchattle. “I’ve taught dance for 38 years and Tiffany came home from Los Angeles and has been working here too since we opened.”
Given their family background, it’s not surprising that both Hollingsworth Vinchattle and DeCastro both sport impressive resumes.
Hollingsworth Vinchattle began her dance and gymnastics training at the age of 5 under the direction of her parents. She’s a certified aerobics instructor along with being a competition judge.
She’s also led both the Prairie Valley dance team and then the Southeast Valley dance team.
She’s a member of the United States Tumbling and Trampoline
Association and a member of the Amateur Athletic Union. And she’s a safety certified coach with the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association.
She’s also helped choreograph several musicals and swing choirs and served on the Gowrie Arts Council.
She’s had dance studios in Gowrie, Fort Dodge, Lake City and Rockwell City over the course of her career.
DeCastro is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher with more than 20 years of classical dance training and an extensive professional resume.
She earned her bachelor of
arts with triple threat major in dance, theater and vocal from Oklahoma City University. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, vocal and theater.
She’s worked professionally as an instructor, performer, model, choreographer and producer in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami, and has toured all over England.
She’s certified in Acrobatic Arts and Youth Protection Advocate in Dance Certified. She’s also a member of the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association and is certified in CPR. Oh, and just because her parents have stepped away from the
studio, it didn’t affect their desire to keep coaching.
In fact, Roger Hollingsworth was recently named Coach of the Year for USTA. He was nominated and selected by the Iowa Coaches.
Hollingsworth Vinchattle has taken on this new adventure while also running Vicky’s Dance Academy in Gowrie. VDA Powerstars offers several dance classes, gymnastic classes and cirque classes. Dance and tumbling classes are offered at Vicky’s Dance Academy and Tumbling in Gowrie.
“I have seven employees. It was just a matter of getting everybody in the right place at the
right time with the right classes.” Hollingsworth Vinchattle said of the transition to two studios. “Once we had all of that figured out it was pretty smooth sailing. I was pretty happy how everything worked out this year.”
“We were the first dance studio to have a recital at Iowa Central’s new auditorium,” said Hollingsworth Vinchattle. “It’s just an unbelievable place. But I do appreciate the hometown feel of the recital in Gowrie. I think it’s important for them to have their recital there.”
It was also almost fate as well, according to Hollingsworth Vinchattle. The night of the recital at Iowa Central, her father told her that Hollingsworth was the first dance studio to hold a recital at the college decades ago. Hollingsworth Vinchattle and her daughter are stressing the educational aspect of dance. They’re also hoping to continue to bring affordable programs to families that want to be a part of the dance community.
VDA Powerstars and Vicky’s Dance Academy offer both competitive and noncompetitive classes. Hollingsworth Vinchattle said she wants to offer both because not everyone wants to be involved in competitions.
“We’re an all-inclusive studio,” said Hollingsworth Vinchattle. “We offer something for everyone, whether they want to be competitive or they just want to take a jazz or ballet class and they’re not interested in anything other than having fun.”
“Some people want their child to aspire to be a professional and we have the knowledge and education to do that, but some people just want to come and have fun,” DeCastro added. Students in all the classes range in age from 2 to 18.
“It was just an easy transition when my parents were ready to step back and hand it over to us.
I’ve taught dance for 38 years and Tiffany came home from Los Angeles and has been working here too since we opened.”
— Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle Owner, VDA Powerstars
-Messenger file photo by John McBride
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR at VDA Powerstars. The dance studio opened last year after long-time dance
coaches Sandy and Roger Hollingsworth decided to step away and their daughter took over the space. From left are Roger Hollingsworth, Sandy Hollingsworth, Tiffany DeCastro, Jim Hollingsworth and Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle.
-Messenger file photos by John McBride THE STUDIO at VDA Powerstars (above and below) has undergone some changes since reopening in the space once housed by Hollingsworth School of Dance and Gymnastics. Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle opened the studio after her parents retired in 2024.
A new dealer, a new location
Dealer
of motorcycles, OHVs
says, 'People have welcomed us very well'
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
A new dealer of off-highway vehicles and motorcycles is welcoming customers in Fort Dodge.
RJ Power Sports, a dealer of Polaris, Kawasaki and CF Moto products, is located at Fifth Avenue South and Webster County Road P59.
“People have welcomed us very well,” said Hunter McCoy, co-owner of the business. “The response has been overwhelming for sure.”
RJ Power Sports, whose original store is in Ottumwa, bought the Fort Dodge location on Dec. 8, 2023.
“It’s very similar to Ottumwa,” McCoy said. “It feels very familiar as far as the size of the town and the size of the market.”
The dealership is located just a few miles straight north on Webster County road P59 from the Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park, but McCoy said the presence of the park wasn’t the only reason his company bought the Fort Dodge site.
“We were looking at the market in general and not just the park,” he said.
“We definitely notice a lot of traffic from the OHV park,” he added.
The business offers two kinds of off-highway vehicles: side-by-sides and ATVs. Side-by-sides are machines that people sit inside of. The driver uses a steering wheel. ATVs are vehicles that people sit on and use handlebars to steer.
RJ Power Sports also offers Kawasaki motorcycles.
McCoy said the dealership will service all makes and models of motorcycles and off-highway vehicles. The business also has a parts department.
A selection of helmets, other safety equipment and clothing is offered as well.
“Our goal is to have what people need when they want it,” McCoy said.
There are 12 employees, he said.
“We were looking at the market in general and not just the (OHV) park. We definitely notice a lot of traffic from the OHV park.”
— Hunter McCoy Co-owner,
RJ Power Sports
-Messenger file photos by Bill Shea
TOP PHOTO: Hunter McCoy, co-owner of RJ Power Sports in Fort Dodge, stands near one of the side-by-side vehicles the business sells. Located at Fifth Avenue South and Webster County Road P59, RJ Power Sports is a dealer for Polaris, Kawasaki and CF Moto.
BOTTOM PHOTO: Side-by-side vehicles are lined up in front of RJ Power Sports at Fifth Avenue South and Webster County Road P59. The business opened in December 2023.
Second Avenue RowhomeS
A new place to call home
Second Avenue Rowhomes debut in downtown Fort Dodge
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
A new kind of downtown living opportunity has debuted in Fort Dodge.
Called Second Avenue Rowhomes, this apartment complex is unlike basically any other in the city. There is no main entrance and central corridor. Instead, the apartments are arranged like rowhouses seen in larger cities, with individual entrances to the sidewalk or rear parking lot.
The first tenants moved into the complex in the 900 block of Second Avenue South last fall.
The site was celebrated in October with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Ambassadors of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
Speaking on behalf of the Ambassadors, Craig Schlienz described the Second Avenue Rowhomes as a “beautiful addition to our downtown corridor here.”
The rowhomes were developed by DEV Partners, of Des Moines.
Danny Heggen, a partner in that firm who is also its chief financial officer, thanked the city government, MIDAS Council of Governments and Availa Bank for their sup-
port on the project.
“It doesn’t happen without all the support,” he said.
He said Second Avenue Rowhomes consists of a total of 32 units in two buildings.
There are 24 one-bedroom units and eight two-bedroom units, he said.
“I would anticipate we’re fully occupied by the end of the year,” Heggen said at the October celebration.
The rowhomes are located on ground that was a city parking lot that had not been used much in recent decades.
Construction began in May 2023, with Shyft Collective, of Des Moines, as the general contractor.
DEV Partners purchased buildings at 700 Central Ave. and 1109 Central Ave. in 2021.
Heggen said his firm now has 50 units in the market.
He said there is still a demand for housing in Fort Dodge, and he wants to do more projects in the local market.
“You have my attention,” he said. “I want to see what else we can do here.”
DANNY HEGGEN,
-Messenger file photos by Bill Shea
ROWHOMES in Fort Dodge are now awaiting tenants. Second Avenue Rowhomes consists of 32 units in two buildings.
DANNY HEGGEN, center, a partner and the chief financial officer of DEV Partners, is joined by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassadors as he snips a ribbon on Oct. 16, 2024, to mark the debut of the Second Avenue Rowhomes.