(Atlantic) – Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds paid a visit to Audubon, Atlantic and Greenfield this (Wednesday) afternoon. In Audubon, she visited the Blue Grass Inn & Suites. In  Atlantic, she met with SHIFT ATL organizers and investors in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. In Atlantic, the Governor learned the mission of SHIFT ATL is “To revitalize Atlantic through projects, services and programs that will enhance the community and foster a sense of development and growth.” That includes the pursuit of a wine bar/tap room, in downtown Atlantic. The Governor was impressed with the efforts the group of young female entrepreneurs and investors have made in bringing vitality to the community.

SHIFT ATL announced late last month they are seeking to partner with a restaurateur that has experience successfully operating and managing a bar and/or restaurant. The objective is to provide a modern atmosphere complete with an upscale experience with a small town feel within the establishment coupled with food items customarily associated with wine bars or tap rooms.

Gov. Kim Reynolds (Left) speaks with SHIFT ATL organizers and investors (9/9/20) Ric Hanson-photo

SHIFT ATL acquired the building formerly known the Downtowner Café with the goal to completely renovate the building for a bar/restaurant space on the first floor and a residential unit on the second floor. The building’s first floor is 1,426 square feet for commercial space and 509 square feet for the kitchen area towards the back of the building. The building is currently a blank slate for the business to work with SHIFT ATL through renovations to occupy the space.

After the session with SHIFT ATL organizers and investors, Gov. Reynolds said when asked, she could not confirm what the Trump Administration may be planning to announce regarding oil company waivers from ethanol blending requirements. Reynolds says she saw the Reuters report on Tuesday evening that indicated Trump has directed the E-P-A to deny waivers the oil industry requested in previous years.

The E-P-A has yet to announce its decision on dozens of oil industry requests to be excused from the federal mandate that a certain amount of ethanol be blended into gasoline each year. These so-called “gap year” waivers date back to 2011. The oil industry just filed a request for the U.S. Supreme Court to review a circuit court decision that the E-P-A has failed to follow federal law when granting past waivers. There’s also a separate batch of ethanol waivers for 2019 and 2020 and Reuters reporting does not indicate the president’s rumored directive would apply to those.

She was also asked about the recent Iowa Court rulings where judges declined to halt enforcement of a State requirement for schools to return students to classrooms.

Her last stop of the day was in Greenfield, at “The Corner.” Earlier in the day, she was in Blencoe and Dunlap. Her schedule Thursday include stops in Casey and Jefferson.