RCDC business survey results announced

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The Ringgold County Development Corporation welcomed a new executive director, heard about the Rural Housing Summit, and reviewed business survey results at their regular meeting Wednesday, April 16.

Four main initiatives have been identified by RCDC for this year. Housing tops the list followed by leadership training, business retention and expansion, and recruitment of new professionals and businesses identified as primary focus areas for 2025.

Members of RCDC meet on a quarterly basis, with a board meeting held the first month of each quarter. Committee meetings are held the second month of the quarter, with the next meetings planned for May.
All RCDC members are invited to meet during the third month. Committees report on what work they’ve done, and upcoming action steps to keep the larger meetings more efficient, helping move the organization forward with decisions that take some time and attention to make.

Staff Recognition
Justin Akers introduced Nicole McGinnis as the next Executive Director for the Ringgold County Development Corporation (RCDC), and thanked Jodie Geist for her years of service.
The RCDC also thanked senior student Olivia Huntington for two years of part-time assistance through the MACHS work program.

Reports for the executive, marketing, housing and property committees were also shared by the respective chairpersons.

Business BRE Survey
Brandi Shay presented the results of a recent Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) survey that was circulated targeting business in the community through email and social media.

The committee received 37 responses from across Ringgold County, with just over half of responses coming from people between 39-58 years of age. Roughly 25% of responses came from individuals 59 or older, while approximately 16% of responses were from people between 29-38 years of age.

Approximately 86% of people who responded have considered starting their own business.

While 61% of respondents find the geographic area a desirable location to start a small business, 66% felt it is difficult to operate a successful small business in Ringgold County. Roughly 70% find access to professional services most valuable in starting a new business.

Business needs and challenges were identified as part of the survey, with 80% of respondents noting they would benefit from a mentor or leadership program, and 76% felt that they would have benefited from specialized business courses during high school.
Among the challenges, respondents noted needs including:

• Funding assistance for new businesses;
• Overhead costs;
• Small market area/population, customer base, public support of all businesses;
• Marketing outside of Ringgold County, including online promotion;
• Housing, including rental options;
• Lack of qualified employees.

Executive Director Update
Jodie Geist provided an update on the CTE Career Academy, noting SWCC has received an extension on the $1 MIL grant they received, giving the project until June of 26 to be completed.
Geist also noted several partners helped fund the April 23 HELP Pod shredding event, as it costs over $1,400 to get the truck for two hours. A youth HELP Pod grant provided $600, along with donations from First Interstate Bank and City State Bank to help with the cost.

SICOG Presentation
Judy Brimm, representing Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG), shared opportunities that are available to their eight county members and associated cities, which includes Ringgold County.
Brimm presented a broad overview of the various support they provide.
“I think the best way to look at our organization is to think of us as an extension of city and county staff,” said Brimm.
“Cities and counties pay annual membership dues, and in return, SICOG provides grant writing, technical assistance, and planning services.”
Since the organization was founded in 1972, SICOG has brought almost $109 million in grant funds to the region through a combination of state and federal grant funds, and private contracts.
Specifically, SICOG helped write three grant applications for the Mount Ayr pool project; one for $300,000, a second $250,000 application, and another for $10,000.
SICOG also received funding through the state for a pilot program to assist homeowners that were affected by COVID and needed repairs to their homes.
Only two applications across the state were funded, with SICOG being one of those. That resulted in $191,000 total dollars going to six Ringgold County homeowners.
Brimm also shared that the Southern Iowa Development Group, formed in 1988, offers gap financing and industrial loans for new business startup or business expansion.
Additionally, Brimm shared information about low interest loans and funds that can assist with housing projects and programs. The Housing Trust Fund was established in 2007 with funding from the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). This funding has provided loans for 11 different projects in Mount Ayr and two projects in the county.
Brimm ended the presentation by noting SICOG also offers transportation planning through Iowa DOT. In the past few years, they assisted with new sidewalks in Diagonal.