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The latest new business in Emmetsburg is The Wooden Barrel, a Gift Shop that sells an eclectic collection of hand crafted items on consignment from area crafters. It carries a lot of seasonal décor and gifts, including candles, wooden items, knitted and crocheted items, and other gifts. The inventory changes frequently, especially season to season. Business hours vary with the season. During winter months, the business is closed on
Monday and Tuesday. Call 712-298-2128 for specific hours.
The Wooden Barrel, which is owned and operated by Bernie Wise, opened in September. It is situated in a large, new building especially constructed for this business by her husband, Mike. The business is located on the Wise property, which is across the road from Wild Rose Casino on the east side of Emmetsburg, along Highway 18. The Wooden Barrel expands the selection of Gift Shops in the Emmetsburg area.
Another new business coming to Emmetsburg is EAI. It is a business that manufactures an Ethanol Production Unit machine that can be sold to individuals, coops, or large farmers who wish to produce their own Ethanol. EAI is located in the former Sky Jack /Renewable Fuels Building on the south end of Emmetsburg. This is an established company and will be hiring around 40 people.
Poet Biorefining (formerly Voyager Ethanol) To Expand
In the early 2000s, the Broin Companies of South Dakota choose Emmetsburg as the site of its new ethanol production plant, Poet Biorefining. The new $65 million facility opened in March of 2005 and went into full production of ethanol from corn, producing at the rate of 50 million gallon per year almost immediately. The new industry also hired approximately 40 new employees in the Emmetsburg community.
Poet Biorefining |
Poet Biorefining represents a significant investment in Emmetsburg’s economic development as well as in Iowa’s economy and in renewable fuels. The availability of corn, natural gas, electric support and rail all contribute to desirability of the Emmetsburg location. Poet Biorefining facility is located on a 150-acre tract of land southeast of Emmetsburg, with an option on additional land.
In November of 2006, Jeff Broin, CEO of Broin Companies, announced a $200 million expansion for Poet Biorefining of Emmetsburg. This expansion will nearly triple the output of ethanol and bring in another 30 more jobs. Its goal is a 125 million gallon per year commercial scale bio-refinery that is designed to use advanced corn fractionation and lignocellulosic conversion in order to produce ethanol from corn fiber and corn stover. It will be the first of its kind in the state and in the nation.
This announcement of the expansion of Poet Biorefining comes following several other expansions in Emmetsburg. These include expansion at the Palo Alto County Hospital, the Emmetsburg School District, the Industrial Park, the opening of the Wild Rose Casino, and the opening of several new businesses, such as Cosmos Coffee, Beans and Blarney Coffee House, Super 8, McDonalds, and Hometown Convenience Store, along with the arrival of a new business, Easy Automation Incorporated.
New Businesses in Town
Emmetsburg is thriving with a number of new businesses in town. Stop in to each one and welcome them to our community.
There is a new licensed Massage Therapist in town. Her name is Lisa Marie Twait. She has her own quiet office in the Schwartz Chiropractic building at 3004 Main Street in Emmetsburg, along Highway 18.
Lisa practices Swedish/integrated massage, which is designed to melt your stress and muscle pain away. She does full body massages including feet. Her flexible hours are designed to meet your needs, which includes making house calls!
You will receive a 25 percent discount on your first visit. In addition, she offers senior discounts! Lisa provides a caring environment and low rates. To set up an appointment, call 712-298-0157. Stop in to get acquainted with Lisa and welcome her to Emmetsburg!
A second coffee shop has opened in Emmetsburg in recent months. Beans & Blarney serves a variety of flavors of coffee, latte, espresso, cappuccino, Chai teas and a variety of cool thirst quenchers. In addition they serve sandwiches with home-made bread, and have included some old-time favorites, Joe’s footlong hotdogs and Joe-burgers. Shannon Iverson and Linn Curry, the co-owners have worked on developing this business for a year. Located at 2110 11th street, it has seating for 20, Irish music in background, and decorated with an Irish theme. The shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon-Fri. On Saturdays it is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A new coffee shop and cyber café has opened in Emmetsburg. Cosmos Coffee has opened a business at 3025 Main Street, along Highway 4 & 18. This new business offers a variety of coffees along with an assortment of sandwiches, soups, salads, bakery goods, and other items.
Owner Don Johnson and manager Chad Lindsay have spent a lot of time planning for this store, which they intend to franchise. Not only will it serve food and beverages, it will also provide entertainment in many forms, such as computers, a huge TV screen, videos, and a game aracade for people of all ages. In the future they plan to host LAN parties, tournaments, karaoke, etc.
They offer both wireless and wired Internet access and a Webcam. You can visit their website at www.cosmoscoffee.com.
McDonalds and Conoco Fuel Stop
On the eastern edge of Emmetsburg along Hwy. 18 two new businesses are about to open. B & N Rentals, which is owned by Karen Brown and Nancy and Ted Wentzel of Emmetsburg, are building next to Wentzel’s True Value Farm and Home. At this site, McDonalds Corporation will lease part of the space, and one of their franchise operators will operate the restaurant.
The remaining space will be occupied by the Conoco Fuel Stop. The Wentzel and Brown families will operate the fuel station. Both businesses are planning to be open in May.
Another new business has opened its doors in Emmetsburg, the Super 8 Motel. The Motel is located on the west edge of Emmetsburg along Hwy 4 and 18. In February, Shirley and Doug Scott, managers, declared the motel open for business. The new motel offers 34 guest rooms with queen and king-sized bed and four suites. It also offers a variety of amenities, such as handicap accessibility, Jacuzzi, Continental Breakfast bar, wireless Internet, Cable TV, refrigerators, and other features.
Their Grand Opening was held in March and many locals stopped in to visit the new facility. The Scotts are the front desk managers and recently moved here from Cherokee, IA. M. W. Hart, Inc. of Spencer is the owner.
Little E-Hawk Wrestling RoomA second building project in Emmetsburg is located a short distance from the new Motel. It is the Little E-Hawk Wrestling Room, which is located at Ninth and King Streets. As the Little E-Hawks outgrew their practice facilities above McNally’s, discussions ensued as to the feasibility of creating their own building. Those discussions became reality this year after successful fundraising efforts provided adequate funds.
This fall several contractors and many volunteers got the building off the ground. It is enclosed and the finishing touches are in process, including providing proper equipment to furnish the building. The group hopes to be able to use the building for this wrestling season.
By now, you have had an opportunity to see Emmetsburg’s new website. We hope you are as excited about it as we are! This site has been developed to represent the entire community of Emmetsburg and to help get all the community organizations and activities working together.
Purpose of the Website Team is to develop a professional looking website for Emmetsburg that is comprehensive in its coverage of the city and its activities.
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To welcome visitors and promote Emmetsburg and its assets via the web and in person.
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To provide information about Emmetsburg to both visitors and local citizens
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To represent all organizations, businesses, government, & activities of Emmetsburg.
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To be a community service site and promote cooperation between all areas of the community.
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To become the central comprehensive communication device for the community by pooling resources with the other communications media.
The Emmetsburg Website Team was established through the cooperation of several groups. The www.emmetsburg.com site is owned by the City of Emmetsburg and the Industrial Development Board, with the responsibility resting with the Economic Development Coordinator.
The development of the website has been funded by The Storm Committee. The Team is also part of the “Arrows” strategy of The Storm project.
The Website Team welcomes help from anyone who would like to provide and update information on the site. You may contact the Team at info@emmetsburg.com with your information.
Emmetsburg’s
Vision (from The Storm)
In 2004 Emmetsburg received a private grant through the Northwest Area Foundation’s Horizon’s program. A steering committee was organized and The Storm was established as the theme for community meetings.
On January 27, 2005, well over 500 community members came together for an evening to highlight Emmetsburg’s assets, set goals, and develop a vision for the future of Emmetsburg. This is the Vision they established:
Emmetsburg’s Vision Emmetsburg creates a unique balance between a passion for preserving pride in our heritage and values, with being a fun, trendy place. It is an exciting place where people and families want to live. It reaches out to surrounding communities to build on a regional identity. Emmetsburg leverages its unique Irish cultural heritage; its strong agricultural base; and its recreational and natural resources to compete and flourish in a global economy. Its vibrant village center attracts tourists and entrepreneurs alike, many of whom are compelled to live and do business within our dynamic local environment. |
Following The Storm event in January, a Storm Tracker Team has evolved from The Storm Steering Committee. Their role is to coordinate, communicate and direct resources to all the community vision teams. Kathy Merrill serves as president of this Team. The Tracker Team works to keep the various committees operating. Watch the Emmetsburg Reporter and Democrat for a monthly report on the happenings of this organization.
| Look for the compass logo around the community as your guide to track the Storm! |
The community identified four areas that Emmetsburg needs to work on and developed four committees/Teams that focus on those areas. These Teams have been meeting regularly to work on these items.
Vision 1: Entrepreneurship--Support and Develop Small Business and an Entrepreneurial Environment. Point Person: Jackie VanOosbree (852-3433)
The Vision Team wants to encourage and assist with the existing plans that the City Council and the City Government are working towards to grow the downtown area. Members of this vision team have met with the City Council Financial Committee to share ideas and possibilities of economic growth.
Vision 2: Vision Inclusion and
Getting Arrows Heading in the Same Direction.
Point Person: Jennifer Meyers. 852-5362
The primary objective of this strategy is to help get all organizations working together and keeping them informed. This team is in the process of creating a PowerPoint presentation to give to community organizations that tells about Emmetsburg’s vision and how they can participate in making that vision a reality.
Subcommittee: Establish a website for Emmetsburg that encompasses the entire community.
The new Emmetsburg Website has been developed to represent the entire community of Emmetsburg and to help get all the community organizations and activities working together. The Emmetsburg Website Team has been established through the cooperation of several groups. This Team is under the direction of the Industrial Development Board, with the responsibility resting with the Economic Development Coordinator. The Emmetsburg.com site is owned by the City of Emmetsburg, and the development of the website has been funded by The Storm Committee. It is also part of the “Arrows” strategy of The Storm project.
Vision 3: Group and Youth Integration
Team
Point Person:
The goal is to get young people involved in the community in areas of business, government, and civic organizations. One of the first objectives to reach this goal is to identify areas and students that would be interested in getting involved, and also to tap into the current youth groups and build from there.
Vision 4: Welcome new people and develop a new leader Strategy Team
Point Person: LouAnn Huberty (852-3347)
This team is developing a “Newcomer Mentoring” program to welcome new members into our community and to help build that relationship. The team sponsored a very successful get-together for new members of our community. The Team welcomes new ideas.
Subcommittee: Emmetsburg community entrance signs--the “front door to our community”
Point Person: Jane Whitmore (852-2568)This Team is working to improve the signage at the entrances to Emmetsburg. Their project will include new signs, shrubbery and lights. Several people have attended meetings to learn of Community Funding resources and useful ideas for Emmetsburg.
Through Northwest Area Foundation’s Horizons program, the Storm Trackers were given funds to be spent for technical assistance, planning or related activities to help bring The Storm vision to reality. Storm Trackers approved funding for:
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Junior Achievement programming for public and catholic schools
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Steven Covey curriculum for high school freshmen
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Web design for Emmetsburg
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First Impressions workshop
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Chamber support and training
Some additional funds were appropriated for resource library materials (books, videos, DVDs and CDs related to leadership development, poverty reduction, entrepreneurship, community and economic development). These resources will be available at the Emmetsburg Public Library and at the Extension Office in the near future.
You can help us make Emmetsburg’s Vision a reality. Get involved by contacting one of the vision action committees that interest you. Track the Storm with us and volunteer your time and talents to make Emmetsburg a better place to live and work.
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City of Emmetsburg
2021 Main St
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-4030