Katherine Ollendieck Tama County Economic Development Executive Director

Recently, Salt Creek Wind Project representatives reached out to Tama County Economic Development and asked what they could do to help. After visiting with contacts throughout the county, our schools and helping the economy recover were identified as the priorities.

In Tama County our students attend class in seven school districts, and each of them received a donation for $1,000. I believe our school superintendents and school staff members are working hard to ensure local learning is consistent and safe.

The schools receiving the Salt Creek Wind assistance are South Tama, Meskwaki Settlement School, GMG, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, North Tama, Union and Benton Community.

Their ingenuity and dedication to students is impressive and important. I truly appreciate Salt Creek Wind helping our schools and students.

Salt Creek Wind opened an office in Toledo right as the Covid-19 challenge began. The wind farm project was conceived about 10 years ago with the goal of growing the wind industry in northern Tama County.

Their project has progressed in the past 10 months.

I am working with local and regional representatives to kick off a campaign to help our small business community recover.

As the details come together, I will talk about how Salt Creek Wind is providing funds to support this effort as well.

Connecting is a bit more difficult these days, but so many projects have continued full steam ahead. We are really busy at TCED and it makes me optimistic for our reopening and economic recovery.