May 12, 2023 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for an established company in Ankeny and innovation funding in support of four startups located in Ames and Des Moines.

SPAL-USA to expand manufacturing operations from Italy to Ankeny

SPAL-USA, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Italian company SPAL Automotive Srl, a market leader in the design, manufacture, sales and distribution of products across all types of vehicles and equipment. The company plans to build a 160,000-square-foot building to localize manufacturing and assembly operations in Ankeny with plans for further expansion. The existing sales and distribution center will be consolidated under the new structure. The project represents a $33.5 million capital investment and is expected to create 39 jobs, of which 15 are incented at a qualifying wage of $33.31 per hour. The board awarded the company a $200,000 forgivable loan and tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs program.

Awards made to four startups

Ag-tech startup SoilSerdem LLC in Ames provides scientific soil mapping to help with agronomic decision making. The service streamlines soil fertility mapping through high-resolution, up-to-date, accurate digital models for organizations that provide agronomy support to farmers. The company was awarded a $32,000 POCR loan for market and competition analyses and proof of concept work.

Varsity Music, Inc., owned and operated by marching band enthusiasts in Ames, produces illuminant instrument lights. The product is a programmable lighting unit that can be placed on instruments or uniforms to be used as a teaching tool or to enhance performances through a mobile app or computer software. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for product refinement, key personnel and equipment.

Ames-based Zymosense, Inc. created a platform to enable faster and more accurate high-throughput discovery of new enzymes for food, feed and pharmaceuticals. The technology will be used by enzyme manufacturers to secure intellectual property rights and get to market faster. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for market and competition analyses, market planning and entry activities and key personnel.

Upvote, LLC, headquartered in Des Moines, is a scalable communication platform where users can find summarized, objective information related to policy and current events in plain language. Through advanced technologies, the model allows for constituents and elected officials to communicate real-time updates and messages on issues with access to different viewpoints and data insights. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, market analysis, product refinement and marketing planning and entry activities.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

(Radio Iowa) – The governor has signed a bill into law that’s designed to enhance the criminal charges for people arrested more than once of domestic abuse. It will change guidelines which have prevented prosecutors from charging someone arrested for domestic abuse assault with committing a second or third offense if their previous conviction occurred more than a dozen years ago. Senator Jeff Reichman, of Montrose, was the only lawmaker who spoke during senate debate of the change.

“It’s sad to see these convictions and usually people do have a history,” Reichman says. “I look back at some of the deaths we’ve had in our area and a large amount of them, unfortunately, are because of domestics, so I’m glad we can do some legislation to help out.”

A prosecutor who was a key advocate for the bill told The Cedar Rapids Gazette the change was needed because violent offenders have been able to avoid felony or serious misdemeanor charges simply because 12 years had passed since a previous domestic abuse assault conviction or deferred judgment.

(Radio Iowa) – There are Iowans who continue to struggle to put food on the table. Food Bank of Iowa spokesperson, Annette Hacker, says their demand has not eased at all. “We have really seen the numbers just continue to rise for the last 12 months or so ever since. The emergency proclamation lifted and SNAP benefits returned to normal levels back in April of 2022. Nearly every month since then has been a record in terms of people needing food assistance,” she says. The Food Bank of Iowa serves 55 of the state’s 99 counties.

“We served about 110-thousand in March of 2022 compared with 169-thousand in March of 2023,” Hacker says. Hacker she fears the numbers aren’t going to drop anytime soon. “I hate to say it but we don’t see any ceiling in sight. The people who need food assistance are being crushed from all sides with the SNAP legislation that appears it will be signed soon,” Hacker says. “That will make SNAP benefits even more difficult to get. It will make some people not even not even apply and others perhaps eliminated from SNAP benefits.” Hacker said the summer ahead will be a critical time.

“Because kids are out of school, and those children who rely on free and reduced price meals suddenly don’t have those at school. And parents who have kids at home have to come up with an extra 10 to 15 meals every day per child,” she says. “And if your budget is stretched thin and you’re already having a hard time affording groceries, that just makes it even more difficult.”

Saturday is the Iowa postal service annual “Stamp Out Hunger” event. The carriers will pick up non perishable food items from customers at their mailboxes to be delivered to the community food banks. A reminder also, that Atlantic Post Office employees will be collecting non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations, Saturday.  All donations will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Your cash or check donations can be left with your letter carrier this weekend, mailed to the Atlantic Food Pantry at P.O. Box 285 (Atlantic, IA 50022), or dropped-off at the Pantry, which is located at 704 W. 7th Street (The former “After 5 Somewhere” building). Drop-off hours for monetary donations are Mondays and Thursdays, from 9-until 11-a.m.

Customers wishing to contribute through their postal mail carrier should clearly address an envelope as a food pantry, or food drive donation, and leave visibly as outgoing mail. No stamp is required for this type of donation. Checks should be made out to the Atlantic Food Pantry

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular, monthly meeting, beginning 5:30-p.m., Monday (May 15), in the Conference Room at the School. According to the agenda, New Business to be covered by the Board, Monday, will include:

1. Consider Change Of Date / Time For June Meeting (D.R.)
2. Set Date / Time For Work Session (D.R.)
3. Establish Activity Pass Fees For 2023-2024 (D.R.)
4. Discussion And Possible Action On District Procedures For Student Activity Trip Expenses (I or D.R.)
5. Approve Fuel Bid Specifications (D.R.)
6. Approve Technology Support Bid Specifications (D.R.)
7. Consider Approval Of Spanish III/IV Waiver For 2023-2024 (D.R.)
8. Consider Approval Of City Agreement (D.R.)
9. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 200.4, 210.5, 401.5R1, 401.13E1, 501.2, 505.5, 604.6, 605.4, 605.5, 605.6, 605.6E1, 605.6E2, 605.6R1, 701.2, 708, Renumber 401.10 to 705.2.

(D.R.) = Decision Required); (I) = Informational

The Griswold School Board will also hold a work session on Tuesday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m., at the Griswold Community School District’s Conference Room, for the purpose of reviewing meeting practices and parliamentary procedures with the Iowa Association of School Boards.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon Community School District will hold a Public Hearing Monday evening, prior to the start of the regular, monthly Board of Education meeting. The hearing at 7-p.m. in the Audubon High School Board Room, is with regard to a Proposed 2022-23 Budget Amendment, and Expenditures from the Flexibility (“Flex”) Fund. Superintendent Eric Trager told KJAN the $300,000 amendment is for Support Services, but will be offset through re-coded revenue from ESSER (Pandemic relief) Funds. Trager says a budget amendment is common, and will not result in an increase in taxes.

Later on in their meeting, the Board will act on approving the Budget Amendments, as proposed, and expenditures from the District Flex Fund for Science Curriculum, in the amount of $21,548.48 from the PD Flex account.

In other Board action, they will act on:

• Reimbursing the Activity Fund from the General Fund – re: Safety Equipment.
• Approving:
  • 2023-24 Student Fees
  • An increase in Substitute Pay
  • Changes to a Para-Educator Agreement
  • The naming of Greenhouse Surplus and, accepting an offer to buy
  • and, the Board will act on approving certain Change Orders.

And, Superintendent Eric Trager will report to the Board on matters pertaining to a Legislative Update, Building & Grounds, and Board Appreciation. His regular monthly report will be followed by reports from District Principals.

CRESTON, Iowa – May 12, 2023 – If you’re planning to drive on U.S. 169 from U.S. 34 in Lorimor, there’s an upcoming road closure that could slow down your trip. The Iowa Dept. of Transportation’s Creston Construction Office reports, beginning on Thursday, June 1, until Friday, Aug. 25, weather permitting, construction crews will work on removing the current bridge on U.S. 169 and replace it with a pipe and concrete paving. While the roadway is closed to traffic, motorists will follow a marked detour route using U.S. 34, and Union County roads P-53 and H-17.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – [Updated 5/12/23 to change location of the meeting] The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday evening (May 15, 2023), in the Parks & Rec Office at 1200 Sunnyside Lane. The meeting begins at 5:15. In his report to the Board, Parks & Rec Director Wyatt Adderton is expected to discuss:

• The Sunnyside Pool Project update (waterslide, mural and pool building paintings, the latter two of which were completed by artist Jenna Brownlee, last week – see photo below). During the last Board meeting, Adderton reported the target date for the pool opening, is Memorial Day.
• An update with regard to the status of Lifeguards for the Sunnyside Pool. (An application link to become a lifeguard can be found on the Parks and Rec Facebook page)
• Wyatt will also report on the Mollett Park raised garden beds,
• and tree donations from Vermeer and Rolling Hills Bank and Trust.

The next regular Board meeting will be held June 19th at 5:30-p.m., also at the Atlantic City Hall.

Sunnyside Pool pumphouse mural by Jenna Brownlee.