Read what's going on in Emmetsburg this month
Downtown Housing Grant
City Seeking Pre-Applications from Property Owners
The City of Emmetsburg has the opportunity to partner with a local property owner to apply for the Downtown Housing Grant Program, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance for projects that support local downtown revitalization through new housing opportunities in communities under 30,000. 
 
IEDA has set aside $20 million for the Downtown Housing Grant Program. The funds are made available through Federal American Rescue Act State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds.  $100,000-$300,000 grants may be awarded for projects creating up to 10 housing units, and $100,000-$600,000 grants may be awarded for projects creating 10 or more housing units. A minimum local grant match of 25% is required.
 
Funds may be used for the rehabilitation of one commercial building per community or two adjacent buildings with same ownership. Eligible expenses include any building improvements necessary to create housing opportunities including upper floor rehabilitation for housing, structural stabilization of historic downtown buildings, exterior building improvements relating to the housing project, code and accessibility improvements, and exterior building amenities that directly complement the housing project (e.g. rooftop, patios, tenant parking, etc.)
 
At this time, the City is accepting pre-applications from property owners that would like to be considered for this grant. If multiple pre-applications are received, the City will choose the project that is most catalytic and is most likely to be funded. The City will then work with the selected property owner to prepare and submit an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by the November 10 deadline. 
 
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the pre-application available at emmetsburg.com/downtown-housing by Monday, September 27, 2021. The application includes building and property owner information, project scope and impact, preliminary budget and sources of funds (estimated). 
 
If you have questions, please contact Gretchen Reichter at 712-415-1142.

City Announcements

 

Flushing Water Mains

Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities will be flushing water mains September 28-30. Crews will start flushing mains at Harrison Park and work clockwise. Emmetsburg residents are encouraged to check their water before doing laundry.  

 

The Shores is Hiring

Come join our team at The Shores! We’re accepting applications for bartenders/servers, cooks, and banquet staff. Stop in to The Shores for more information and to apply. Positions open until filled. EOE.

 

School Bus Safety

School is back in session and we are striving for another successful and safe year. Please be vigilant for children as they are walking/biking to school or bus stops.  Also, be prepared to stop for school buses as they stop frequently to load and discharge children. Remember it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus when they have the stop sign displayed and flashing lights activated.  Failure to comply can result in a fine and loss of drivers license for 30 days.  If you have any questions about Iowa school bus laws, please contact us at 852-2424. 

Sincerely, Police Chief Ryan Veldboom

 

KEMB-LP Now Webstreamed!
Message from the Chamber of Commerce
With the change of the seasons come Emmetsburg school activities on 94.1 KEMB-LP and no longer do you have to be by your radio to listen! Family, friends and former E-Hawks all over the world can now follow their favorite programs.
 
First up is E-Hawk football called weekly by Scott Higgins and Mark Evans and now the games can be heard anywhere in the world there is internet connectivity. Whether it is on your smartphone or a computer, you can listen to the game at the following link: https://rdo.to/KEMBLP. The broadcasts begin at 6:45P with the pre-game show with the game beginning at 7:00P on Friday evenings.
 
Want to hear more E-Hawk sports? Broadcasters for girls’ volleyball as well as girls and boys basketball are needed so that we can be fair to all athletic programs. Since KEMB is too small to have a sports director, we count on paid volunteers to call the live play by play. Call the station at 712-852-5362 if interested. Every student enjoys hearing their name on the radio!

 

Deb Hite

Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283

Thank You For Attending Our First Community Showcase: Re[Discover] Emmetsburg!

Thank you to all the businesses, clubs, non-profit organizations, churches, and community members who attended our first Community Showcase at The Shores at Five Island on September 8! The Emmetsburg Community School District and City of Emmetsburg, in partnership with the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce and ISU Extension and Outreach Palo Alto County, organized this community event to showcase all that Emmetsburg has to offer: activities, clubs, services, charities, churches, businesses, local products and more. We were so pleased with the turnout and enjoyed watching new residents, lifelong residents, youth, community leaders and more connect with the community. Over 60 local groups and businesses participated in the showcase, and about 300 meals were served to community members and participants. We’ve heard great comments about the event, from clubs gaining new members or volunteers to businesses creating new connections, and we’re looking forwarding to planning another Community Showcase next year!
Many Thanks from the Library!
 
The Emmetsburg Public Library Board of Trustees graciously thank the following individuals for their generous gifts during the first half of 2021:
  • Mary E. King: $50.00
  • Sue Brown, in memory of Ellen Orlady: $110.00
  • Linda (Smith) Biermann, in memory of Eleanor M. Smith: $50.00
  • Diane Johnson: $100.00
  • Barbara Adams: $12.00
  • Dean A. Ver Mulm: $50.00
  • Emmetsburg Progress Club: $150.00
  • Greta Rouse: $100.00
  • AGP: $100.00
  • Poet Biorefining LLC: $50.00
  • Joan Tunnicliff: $100.00
ECDC Housing Development Project Continues
107 Nolan Drive home foundation
107 Nolan Drive design rendering
Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation (ECDC) understands there is an need for additional housing in Emmetsburg, particularly new middle-income housing units. This housing is needed to attract and retain employees that are vital to our local workforce. Recognizing this need, ECDC made the decision to invest in housing development. ECDC first broke ground on their workforce housing project in the Rockport development in August 2019. Two years later ECDC has built and sold three homes, and the basement of the fourth home is in the ground. 
 
ECDC is working with the Iowa Lakes Community College Construction Technology Program this school year to build a three bedroom, two bathroom home with about 1,520 square feet of living space on the main level. Students are gaining valuable skills through hands-on learning while also contributing to the growth and vitality of Emmetsburg’s housing market.
 
Follow Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation on Facebook or visit www.emmetsburg.wixsite.com/ecdc to learn more about the ECDC housing project and the current building project, 107 Nolan Drive.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Monday Night Bingo @ VFW
Mondays (starting in May) at 6:30 PM 
Early bird bingo at 6:30. Masks no longer required.  A light meal will be served between 5:30-6:25 PM.
TOPS® Meeting
Wednesdays at 4:15 PM @ Iowa Welcome Center
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM @ Family Life Center
Tea Time Cinema
Thursdays at 2:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Classic movie is shown + tea is served. Free and open to all.
Call library for titles showing and more info: 712-852-4009.
Farmer’s Market on 10th Street
Thursdays from 12 - 5 PM
Saturdays from 8 AM - 12 PM
“Lessons of the Holocaust” 
September 14 at 6:30 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Emmetsburg Band Boosters Annual Fall Tailgate Fundraiser 
September 17 from 5:00-6:30 PM @ High School Student Center
2 Person Best Shot Tournament
September 19 at 10:00 AM @ Five Island Golf Course
$30 per player, 18 holes | 8:30-9:30 AM Registration, 10:00 AM Shotgun Start
Pedal with Pete Bike Ride for Cerebral Palsy 
September 19 at 1:30 PM @ Five Island Trail
Organized by the 4-H County Council | 1:30-2:00 PM Registration @ The Shores
Homecoming Tailgate Party 
September 24 from 2:30-4:00 PM Downtown
Sponsored by the Emmetsburg Chamber - Begins at 2:30 and is immediately followed by the Emmetsburg Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally in the Courthouse Square
“Beautiful Mess; Redeemed by His Grace” Women’s Conference 
September 25 from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM @ First United Methodist Church Family Life Center
FIT Trail Barbecue Fundraiser 
September 26 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM @ Nolan Rouse Park 
EMU Flushing Water Mains
September 28-30
Crews will start flushing mains at Harrison Park and work clockwise. Emmetsburg residents are encouraged to check their water before doing laundry. 
Autumns Spice Retail Event + Scarecrow Stroll
October 7 from 3:30-7:30 PM Downtown/Participating Retailers
Join Emmetsburg Shop Local and Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce for a fall retail event. Shop at participating businesses, and check out businesses' scarecrows downtown while you're out and about. Stop by the Chamber office to vote for your favorite scarecrow. The business with the best scarecrow will win $150 Chamber Bucks! 
The Emmetsburg newsletter is produced by the City of Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator.
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2021 Main St, Emmetsburg, IA, 50536


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