[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6505541,"mediaKeyId","5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185","parentId",5669781,"title","Carroll County Growth Partnership reports micro‑grants, workforce constraints and plans for tourism and training","audioSeconds",1190,"startMs",1188000,"endMs",2378000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185&start=1188&end=2378","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185/thumbnail_1188000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505541/Carroll-County/Iowa/Carroll-County-Growth-Partnership-reports-microgrants-workforce-constraints-and-plans-for-tourism-and-training","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505541-cb38432f4eb6302d4b4fc00fcd969211/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022361&Signature=kC1czAWdzFIVQ2kOcnYie-NiAbuZQ9JCLrB1gpMjgozB7-EGfyzDjeJ1r0Vr7womz5u6hzPy1pxd3pckVh5FZCe6ay9TdaGX4Qe~5zxvAqVcYF0vIVq1pysCTnI~3KCO51ihWbi4iNIZWwMHKQuxgK7rRrv0BJQ8WbmA7V4Y2tLFwLTPxVF6FLq48Bp4LuSwEdMmIE1Ic0LOOT~VzSDlyi9XVAX71SRw4IPrWE2Wf2nG1nna-NDl27QHv55DMtFfqRhvQd2xx4IEor0n7fwuMB0MkBhl2yoDReBm~eUw2H~W9g3tmxLekDvY6N4vJtREW1eCoU4w5fQfAIelaaJ0gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carroll County","date","2025-08-25T14:00:27Z","article","The Carroll County Growth Partnership (CCGP) provided the Board of Supervisors an annual update on small business grants, business retention efforts, workforce training and countywide tourism planning.

A CCGP representative, identified in the meeting as Kimberly (last name not provided), reported the partnership’s micro‑grant program has awarded multiple small façade and business improvement grants that county staff say help catalyze downtown redevelopment projects. Kimberly said the program has supported dozens of small projects that local leaders credit with helping to fill storefronts and spur private investment.

On business retention and expansion, the presenter said roughly 80% of future local growth is expected to come from existing businesses and that the number‑one concern heard in business visits is workforce availability. Kimberly said firms are reporting both entry‑level hiring challenges and needs for more highly skilled workers for robotics and automated processes; other recurring constraints cited by businesses include housing and childcare. The presenter said some employers are considering locating expansions outside the county because of workforce limits.

The CCGP representative said the organization is working with DMACC and other partners to provide targeted training (for example, Excel and specialized robotics training) in the county and that local programs (hub712 and revolving loan assistance) have supported startup businesses and helped existing businesses access capital and complete loan applications.

On tourism, the presenter said there is currently no coordinated countywide tourism organization and that CCGP is rebuilding its website with a county tourism page to centralize information; the group plans to consult municipal leaders to determine countywide marketing priorities. CCGP also plans an Access Washington trip in November to advocate for county issues — healthcare and agricultural matters were specifically mentioned as likely federal priorities.

Board members praised CCGP efforts but said workforce and housing remain barriers to business retention and attraction. The presenter said many economic development projects can pause for months; CCGP continues one‑on‑one work with prospective employers and supports leadership and advocacy programs such as the Carroll County Leadership Institute.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Carroll County Iowa's Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Carroll County Growth Partnership told the Board of Supervisors about small façade and business retention grants, widespread workforce challenges affecting local expansion, workforce training partnerships with DMACC, and interest in a coordinated county tourism website and marketing effort.","taxTitle","Carroll County, Iowa","taxId",69003,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505546,"Supervisors approve panic‑button system for courthouse and county offices; Ricotta quote selected",515,2447000,2962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185&start=2447&end=2962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185/thumbnail_2447000.jpg","/articles/6505546/Carroll-County/Iowa/Supervisors-approve-panicbutton-system-for-courthouse-and-county-offices-Ricotta-quote-selected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505546-422666126bb4e348950dcf9d76d9b2a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022361&Signature=gfo-wRUiEK4pzUUKA5ZMkZC6jBs8mWdeK0Z9~RzIESjkTXUvug5vNKXuRnMjb0gfkTGj0~jZ4gKZfvclMTyCHxPPUFpIiiqJ9m2GaEaQ0SDxvUlaIdx2zfpySZ3mAJsrzSFNshaARxU32OvxjtF~-mYS6xoWKd9s83fLb-MY0vyz8q2wYvhhYxTS5~jzkJSfZ~nTayepl66Ux7k1Y-LLPCJlIrBmRTXG42QoMLHHkFHAdwy4rE~UR6wEtNNCXW8Rf0CY6TgBbyaNAgcYwhHPhKqZnBpmu3PbVvjm~ntIR7nIt4Y2B6eza5fYlEUZ0jwpHuwkBGgIjeSjbWgpRZIHdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved purchase and installation of a new panic‑button alert system to replace the county’s aging system and expand coverage to the courthouse and Fricki (county) building.

County safety committee members presented three written quotes and recommended the Ricotta system, which the committee said met the county’s functional needs at the lowest price. County staff presented three vendor totals for the public record: Ricotta at $29,835; a second quote (Lynx) at $33,695; and a third higher quote at about $100,325. The board approved the Ricotta proposal by recorded voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried 4–1 with the dissenting vote called out as “No.”

County staff explained the recommended system integrates both networked (online) and analog alert capabilities. When a button is pressed, staff said the system can trigger audible sirens inside buildings, send text messages to deputies and department heads with location and time, and display incident information on workstation screens in the emergency operations / dispatch area. The safety committee said the system is scalable for future expansion to other county buildings and offers additional modules (video, access control) if desired later.

The county plans to coordinate installation with other ongoing facility work (door‑security installations) and to schedule active‑shooter training after the panic‑button hardware is in place. County staff said some of the purchase cost may be eligible for a discount or grant from the county’s insurance carrier (IMWCA/WCA); in the meeting the board suggested local option sales tax funds could be used to pay the expense.

Board discussion noted the number of individual pendant/buttons drives price: the recommended package included roughly 60 individual buttons to cover counters and staff workstations across departments, and staff said they verified placement needs with every office.

The motion to approve the Ricotta quote passed by majority vote; the board instructed staff to identify the funding source (local option sales tax and/or capital funds) and to proceed with scheduling installation and follow‑up training.

","Carroll County approved a Ricotta panic‑button system for courthouse and adjacent county buildings at a contract price of $29,835, with the board noting two higher vendor quotes for the public record; installation and active‑shooter training are planned after equipment is on‑site.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505550,"Board approves utility permit to extend Western Iowa Network fiber across county roads",170,741000,911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185&start=741&end=911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6505550/Carroll-County/Iowa/Board-approves-utility-permit-to-extend-Western-Iowa-Network-fiber-across-county-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505550-9a72f77acad943c3859b5e636f8ad7fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022361&Signature=M8wg0oPSM77ax5d67KjDX~b17RWyCxPnKGgyGRqzjY3lS4~PN9f4oqzLw4flv1Eh5Dm2U9U-20dVS5P5iiabAmOVTVnl4ZK1j9mCIqOBvfPkoNi7I17itSuBYbteNPWM2ISlzZHZnaWRUNzpnUOkzZE0uEd4LLlPfsaqmym1-F61qNlWdNbg4azGxkepgIuD9u5GonFCWj2QDiTsEmajfd~qrlkeeaXP6ZEZdlWcyCrSQXd7YVLSyfH80BYsbtQ0oC5pgD5Hth53UjkeEKEJV0A1KrzQ9DriMvevJIz5wfBokmsh-KNThx-7SKSoItUNaUYdIP3gNxnRoefEEzCZ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved a utility permit requested by Western Iowa Network to extend fiber and fill gaps in the county’s broadband build‑out.

County staff said the work will add just over two miles of fiber to reach additional properties; crews will use plowing or boring methods depending on culvert and tile locations. Staff said the county typically requires at least 4 feet of cover under roadbeds and frequently directs contractors to drill to about 10 feet beneath culverts to avoid hitting tile infrastructure.

The board voted by motion, second and voice vote to approve the permit. Staff said county personnel review permit plans and sometimes perform field checks of culvert locations to reduce the risk of conflicts with subsurface tile and other utilities.

","Carroll County supervisors approved a utility permit to allow Western Iowa Network to extend fiber for roughly two miles, with boring and plowing techniques to avoid interfering with culverts and tile.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505554,"Carroll County board approves road-use amendment as Silver Queen Wind Farm advances interconnection and construction plans",431,33000,464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185&start=33&end=464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669781-61b6b208520367eb690ade53d175a185/thumbnail_33000.jpg","/articles/6505554/Carroll-County/Iowa/Carroll-County-board-approves-road-use-amendment-as-Silver-Queen-Wind-Farm-advances-interconnection-and-construction-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505554-e6367e18c74f1dc0e8ea22e5a921b86c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022361&Signature=W7w2FqP9dfSZ-nhK4eLCX5WZ8Ebl-5zn~ed2d0UNs4xGQLwuGqMnPfwnXo-YNtEELtMby60fX~5-C0j0TVKbKNqFMlYVj2YUzZqaNPOV~OwDMaem9KTy~ZF45uBLF1wuwkRC8LuDfoTNlfWx8OClXDljf7S4Cr0R-~a--iPdiOMJ7ENhDEd4pz2nj6arOBXkAmzHcnP52FsSmdpwAVJ809AN2Ug3rx76Xlly3yfABQKUTJOnSO7yVltH~rZDIrhII8hlxcCvv-ErB6FBninqJzp7y3ycko7axS1yCHS9guf65-XuaKZ-hd-5nLx3YYSGXsL66f1zUQOmv65z0Nwg~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved a first amendment to its road‑use and maintenance agreement with Silver Queen Wind Farm LLC and received an update from the project team on the wind farm’s schedule, equipment choices and landowner negotiations.

The amendment, described by county staff as a minor set of changes to allow easier rights of egress on gravel roads and to permit certain crane crossings during construction, was approved by motion and voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board’s action was presented as a first amendment to the existing road‑use and maintenance agreement with Silver Queen Wind Farm LLC.

Silver Queen representatives said the project remains a roughly 252‑megawatt wind farm with about 58 turbines planned; the company expects 33 turbines in Carroll County and 25 in neighboring Crawford County. Zach Lasik, a project manager with Silver Queen, said the developer is currently finalizing an interconnection agreement with the Southwest Power Pool that would allow the project to inject full capacity onto the transmission grid and that the interconnection paperwork should be executed in about a month. Lasik said the developer is also selecting a construction contractor; three U.S. contractors visited the site and are expected to bid.

Lasik said the team is working with roughly 350 landowners who have signed up for the project, and that some earlier lease and easement agreements are being amended to extend development terms so construction can proceed. He estimated that the majority of construction will occur in 2027, with pre‑construction meetings with the county likely in late 2026 or early 2027.

On the road‑use topic, county staff and Silver Queen representatives said the amendment is intended to make crossings on gravel roads more efficient by allowing assembled crane crossings in some places; staff emphasized paved roads would remain protected and that crane mats and ditch filling would be used to limit damage on gravel roads. The presenters described the change as more restrictive than a neighboring county’s approach in some respects and said they did not expect detriment to county roads.

A board member asked whether the turbines would be the 590‑foot machines that had been discussed at a previous board of adjustment meeting; Silver Queen confirmed the 590‑foot height is expected for this project. Board members also asked about an operations base and staging areas; Silver Queen said the construction laydown yard and spare‑parts storage would be in Crawford County and that a permanent operations and maintenance building will be located adjacent to the project substation, also in Crawford County.

When asked about project cost, Silver Queen said the rough project cost is about $610 million. On federal incentives and tax credits, the company said recent federal guidance changed qualifying rules for credits but that, because Silver Queen is a late‑stage project, it currently expects to qualify for available tax credits and that the recent administrative guidance has not materially affected this project.

The board’s vote to approve the first amendment to the road use and maintenance agreement occurred during the “secondary roads” agenda item and was taken by motion, second and voice vote; the motion carried.

The board did not adopt any additional conditions on the agreement during the meeting. Silver Queen asked to return to the county later for pre‑construction coordination, and county staff indicated future pre‑construction meetings would be scheduled nearer the start of mobilization.

","The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved a first amendment to a road‑use and maintenance agreement with Silver Queen Wind Farm LLC and heard a project update describing interconnection progress, equipment choices and a construction timeline focused on 2026–27.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Carroll County Growth Partnership reports micro‑grants, workforce constraints and plans for tourism and training

Supervisors approve panic‑button system for courthouse and county offices; Ricotta quote selected

Board approves utility permit to extend Western Iowa Network fiber across county roads

Carroll County board approves road-use amendment as Silver Queen Wind Farm advances interconnection and construction plans