IDA News / Blog http://www.developindianola.com/blog/ Indianola Development Association, Indianola, IA en-us Copyright 2010 Indianola Development Association Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:48:45 CST myles@developindianola.com (Myles Kappelman) jason@jasoncross.com (Jason Cross) Warren County again ranks as the fourth fastest growing county in Iowa.   Warren County continued to boom in the most recent county population estimates released in March by the United States Census Bureau . The boom continues because of the county's prime location in central Iowa and in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area according to the U.S. Census Bureau .  The county's population increased from 40,671 at the 2000 census to 45,275 as of July 1, 2009.  That represents an increase of 11.3% over the period, making Warren County the fourth fastest growing county in Iowa.  Warren County continues to rise in the rankings in population size.   The county went from being the 15th largest county in population to the 12th largest county by the July 1st estimates.   Recently, increased efforts toward economic development by communities in the county are also having an impact on the overall population growth in the county.  Norwalk, in the north of the county, recently had a large annexation and has had significant population growth. Indianola, the largest community and the county seat , unveiled a new development that when finished could add as much as $100 million to the city's tax base.  The city also has grown from just under 13,000 residents in 2000 to possibly crossing the 15,000 mark in the 2010 census .  

Warren County continued to boom in the most recent county population estimates released in March by the United States Census Bureau.
The boom continues because of the county's prime location in central Iowa and in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  The county's population increased from 40,671 at the 2000 census to 45,275 as of July 1, 2009.  That represents an increase of 11.3% over the period, making Warren County the fourth fastest growing county in Iowa.  Warren County continues to rise in the rankings in population size.   The county went from being the 15th largest county in population to the 12th largest county by the July 1st estimates.
 
Recently, increased efforts toward economic development by communities in the county are also having an impact on the overall population growth in the county.  Norwalk, in the north of the county, recently had a large annexation and has had significant population growth. Indianola, the largest community and the county seat, unveiled a new development that when finished could add as much as $100 million to the city's tax base.  The city also has grown from just under 13,000 residents in 2000 to possibly crossing the 15,000 mark in the 2010 census.
]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=14 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:48:45 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=14 myles@developindianola.com (Myles) News Developer Plan For New Community Offering Business and Residential Growth August 18, 2009 - Indianola, IA - Plans for a new mixed use community on the north side of Indianola were unveiled August 18 . The 160-acre development , called Summercrest Hills , is located at the northeast corner of Highway 65 / 69 and Hillcrest , approximately 15 minutes from the Des Moines Airport and 8 minutes from the Highway 5 Bypass . Summercrest Hills will contain retail spaces , office parks, public gathering spaces, residential neighborhoods and dining , recreation and entertainment options. Natural habitats and wetlands will be maintained where appropriate in the overall open space network . A series of greenbelt parks will include storm water detention areas and trails . The trails will interlock each project making it easy to traverse the community linking residences , entertainment , work , educat i on , recreation and government , and will eventually link to the extensive Summerset Trail and surrounding area . The development will also incorporate various " green initiatives " including rain gardens, bioretention cells and native landscaping . The first project within the development will be Vintage Hills Retirement Community , and developers will break ground in late August of this year . Tim Walpole , principal with developer Three-Sixty Group , says he is pleased that a community-focused project like Vintage Hills could begin so soon after the development is announced . " A retirement community is a perfect immediate partner in this project ," says Walpole . " We have had a lot of interest in this pro j ect and look forward to additional announcements in the near future ." Vintage Hills is a project of Ewing Land Development and Services of Pella (ELDS) . ELDS is planning a Continuing Care Retirement Community complete with 46 assisted living apartments and 20 memory care apartments . ELDS also plans to section off a portion of the parcel for future expansion of services , to offer skilled care to residents of Vintage Hills . Included within the senior housing campus will be a " town center" with such amenities as a bank , convenience store, theater , barber shop , salon , post office and game room . Josh Cowman , Vice President of New Development for ELDS , says his company is excited to be a part of the Indianola community and the Summercrest Hills development in particular . " In our Continuum of Care Retirement Communities we design our buildings to promote an active, healthy and vibrant lifestyle and for Vintage Hills Retirement Community to be making its home within a development that will offer those same features is a great benefit for our community and its future residents and their families ," says Cowman . " At Summercrest Hills , our Vintage Hills residents will have access to a multitude of public gathering spaces, dining , recreation and entertainment options right outside their doors and connected by walking paths and tree lined streets .   Randy Bray, principal with project developer Three-Sixty Group , says the Summercrest Hills location has been a prime area for potential development for several years . " In addition to being situated on a major route conveniently linking tndianola and Des Moines, Summercrest Hills has a beautiful natural landscape ideal for both neighborhood living and corporate development ," says Bray . " Existing fiber optic connectivity and utility service from both MidAmer i can Energy and Indianola Municipal Utilities also makes the area ideal for businesses in need of highly reliable infrastructure . " Summercrest Hills is a joint venture of developer Three-Sixty Group and Downing Construction , who will provide construction services . Three-Sixty Group specializes in integrated real estate solutions , including development , project management and investment strategies consulting . Other project partners include William J. LudWig and Associates (Clive, Iowa), and Snyder & Associates (Ankeny , Iowa). For additional information, please contact: three-sixty group Randy Bray 515-457-8178 randy@three-sixtygroup.com August 18, 2009 - Indianola, IA - Plans for a new mixed use community on the north side of Indianola were unveiled August 18. The 160-acre development, called Summercrest Hills, is located at the northeast corner of Highway 65/69 and Hillcrest, approximately 15 minutes from the Des Moines Airport and 8 minutes from the Highway 5 Bypass.

Summercrest Hills will contain retail spaces, office parks, public gathering spaces, residential neighborhoods and dining, recreation and entertainment options. Natural habitats and wetlands will be maintained where appropriate in the overall open space network. A series of greenbelt parks will include storm water detention areas and trails. The trails will interlock each project making it easy to traverse thecommunity linking residences, entertainment, work, education, recreation and government, and willeventually link to the extensive Summerset Trail and surrounding area. The development will also incorporate various "green initiatives" including rain gardens, bioretention cells and native landscaping.

The first project within the development will be Vintage Hills Retirement Community, and developers will break ground in late August of this year.

Tim Walpole, principal with developer Three-Sixty Group, says he is pleased that a community-focused project like Vintage Hills could begin so soon after the development is announced. "A retirement community is a perfect immediate partner in this project," says Walpole. "We have had a lot of interest in this project and look forward to additional announcements in the near future."

Vintage Hills is a project of Ewing Land Development and Services of Pella (ELDS). ELDS is planning a Continuing Care Retirement Community complete with 46 assisted living apartments and 20 memory care apartments. ELDS also plans to section off a portion of the parcel for future expansion of services, to offer skilled care to residents of Vintage Hills. Included within the senior housing campus will be a "town center" with such amenities as a bank, convenience store, theater, barber shop, salon, post office and game room .

Josh Cowman, Vice President of New Development for ELDS, says his company is excited to be a part of the Indianola community and the Summercrest Hills development in particular. "In our Continuum of Care Retirement Communities we design our buildings to promote an active, healthy and vibrant lifestyle and for Vintage Hills Retirement Community to be making its home within a development that will offer those same features is a great benefit for our community and its future residents and their families," says Cowman. "At Summercrest Hills, our Vintage Hills residents will have access to a multitude of public gathering spaces, dining, recreation and entertainment options right outside their doors and connected by walking paths and tree lined streets.

 

Randy Bray, principal with project developer Three-Sixty Group, says the Summercrest Hills location has been a prime area for potential development for several years. "In addition to being situated on a major route conveniently linking tndianola and Des Moines, Summercrest Hills has a beautiful natural landscape ideal for both neighborhood living and corporate development," says Bray. "Existing fiber optic connectivity and utility service from both MidAmerican Energy and Indianola Municipal Utilities also makes the area ideal for businesses in need of highly reliable infrastructure."

Summercrest Hills is a joint venture of developer Three-Sixty Group and Downing Construction, who will provide construction services. Three-Sixty Group specializes in integrated real estate solutions, including development, project management and investment strategies consulting. Other project partners include William J. LudWig and Associates (Clive, Iowa), and Snyder & Associates (Ankeny, Iowa).

For additional information, please contact:

three-sixty group

Randy Bray

515-457-8178

randy@three-sixtygroup.com

]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=13 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:21:34 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=13 myles@developindianola.com (Myles) News Cemen Tech, of Indianola Iowa named 'Exporter of the Year'!   Cemen Tech Named   ‘Exporter of the Year'   February 5, 2009 – Cemen Tech has been named a 2009 Exporter of the Year award winner by ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of Commercial News USA , the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Commerce Department. The Indianola, Iowa company manufactures mobile and stationary concrete dispensers and exports to more than 45 countries.   "We are very pleased to have received this award from Commercial News USA and appreciate the recognition from the magazine and from the Department of Commerce," said Tom Palme, President of Cemen Tech. "Cemen Tech is the world leader in the Volumetric Concrete industry because of the efforts of our employee-owners who take pride in building the highest quality products and providing the best support and service in the marketplace." The company services its worldwide customers through service and parts departments in Indianola.   Cemen Tech equipment is available in stationary skid-mounted and portable truck- or trailer-mounted units that can produce as much as 100 cubic yards of concrete per hour. Currently, 40 percent of the company's revenue is generated through export sales, and exports have grown 20 percent in the most recent sales year.    "Exports are an important part of the company's business and we have projected significant international growth in the years to come" said Palme.   Commercial News USA is a catalog-style magazine with an estimated 400,000 readers in 176 countries worldwide. Awards are given to one U.S. company in each of 15 industry categories. Cemen Tech was named Exporter of the Year in the Building/Construction Equipment/Hardware category.   Winners were chosen based on the total number of documented export transactions completed in 2007, the total percentage increase in sales in 2007 compared to 2006, exports as percentage of total sales, the company's commitment to exporting, the company's commitment to customer service, and the company's innovation and originality in marketing products or services. To be eligible for the award, a company must currently be exporting from the United States. Gregory Sandler, publisher of Commercial News USA , said that the success of Cemen Tech is indicative of how American companies can benefit from exporting. "American companies looking for growth need to be considering opportunities outside of the U.S.," said Sandler. "World markets offer considerable potential for U.S. exporters."      

Cemen Tech Named
 
‘Exporter of the Year'
 
February 5, 2009 – Cemen Tech has been named a 2009 Exporter of the Year award winner by ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Commerce Department. The Indianola, Iowa company manufactures mobile and stationary concrete dispensers and exports to more than 45 countries.
 
"We are very pleased to have received this award from Commercial News USA and appreciate the recognition from the magazine and from the Department of Commerce," said Tom Palme, President of Cemen Tech. "Cemen Tech is the world leader in the Volumetric Concrete industry because of the efforts of our employee-owners who take pride in building the highest quality products and providing the best support and service in the marketplace." The company services its worldwide customers through service and parts departments in Indianola.
 
Cemen Tech equipment is available in stationary skid-mounted and portable truck- or trailer-mounted units that can produce as much as 100 cubic yards of concrete per hour. Currently, 40 percent of the company's revenue is generated through export sales, and exports have grown 20 percent in the most recent sales year. 
 
"Exports are an important part of the company's business and we have projected significant international growth in the years to come" said Palme.
 
Commercial News USA is a catalog-style magazine with an estimated 400,000 readers in 176 countries worldwide. Awards are given to one U.S. company in each of 15 industry categories. Cemen Tech was named Exporter of the Year in the Building/Construction Equipment/Hardware category.
 
Winners were chosen based on the total number of documented export transactions completed in 2007, the total percentage increase in sales in 2007 compared to 2006, exports as percentage of total sales, the company's commitment to exporting, the company's commitment to customer service, and the company's innovation and originality in marketing products or services. To be eligible for the award, a company must currently be exporting from the United States.

Gregory Sandler, publisher of Commercial News USA, said that the success of Cemen Tech is indicative of how American companies can benefit from exporting. "American companies looking for growth need to be considering opportunities outside of the U.S.," said Sandler. "World markets offer considerable potential for U.S. exporters."
 
 
]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=12 Tue, 12 May 2009 13:26:19 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=12 myles@developindianola.com (Myles) News Warren County is the 4th fastest growing county in Iowa!   Warren County is the 4 th fastest growing   county in Iowa!   Warren County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in Iowa. The county moved up from the state's 5 th fastest growing population to the 4 th fastest. The county grew 10.8% from the 2000 census to July 1, 2008. Just during the last year alone the population surged 1.4% compared to the state's growth of .6%. The counties population grew from 40,671 to 45,059 so far during this decade. If current trends continue Warren County could surpass 50,000 people by 2015.   The population boom in Warren County is affecting the county's rank within Iowa. Warren County was ranked the 15 th most populous county in the year 2000. As of July 1, 2008 Warren County jumped to the 12 th most populous county and is catching up to number 11.   

Warren County is the 4th fastest growing
 
county in Iowa!
 
Warren County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in Iowa. The county moved up from the state's 5th fastest growing population to the 4th fastest. The county grew 10.8% from the 2000 census to July 1, 2008. Just during the last year alone the population surged 1.4% compared to the state's growth of .6%. The counties population grew from 40,671 to 45,059 so far during this decade. If current trends continue Warren County could surpass 50,000 people by 2015.
 
The population boom in Warren County is affecting the county's rank within Iowa. Warren County was ranked the 15th most populous county in the year 2000. As of July 1, 2008 Warren County jumped to the 12th most populous county and is catching up to number 11. 
]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=11 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:50:21 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=11 myles@developindianola.com (Myles) News Des Moines MSA is ranked 10th in Quality of Life among Mid-sized Metros! The following is a story about Des Moines ranking 10th in the nation among mid-sized American cities for the best quality of life. These mid-sized cities are all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA). Indianola is part of the Des Moines MSA and does contribute to the excellent quality of life the whole metro area enjoys.  Story by Bizjournals. Mid-sized metros with the best quality of life     They contain only 20 percent of the U.S. population, but mid-sized metropolitan areas can be an appealing alternative to life in the big city. The best of the bunch is Provo, Utah, according to a new bizjournals quality-of-life study. Boulder, Colo., and Madison, Wis., are the runners-up. America's 124 mid-sized metros, with populations between 250,000 and 1 million people, have a total of 60 million residents. That puts them in the shadow of the nation's 51 major metros, those in the million-plus category, which contain 54 percent of all Americans. The study compared the 124 mid-sized metros in 20 statistical categories, using the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. The highest scores went to well-rounded places with healthy economies, light traffic, moderate costs of living, impressive housing stocks and strong educational systems. These are the top 10 mid-sized metros in terms of quality of life: 1. Provo, Utah 2. Boulder, Colo. 3. Madison, Wis. 4. Bridgeport-Stamford, Conn. 5. Ann Arbor, Mich. 6. Ogden, Utah 7. Fort Collins, Colo. 8. Boise, Idaho 9. Colorado Springs, Colo. 10. Des Moines, Iowa Provo, which is located 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, earns top marks for its impressive inventory of big homes. Nearly 26 percent of Provo's houses have nine or more rooms. No other mid-sized metro does better than 20.2 percent. But housing is not Provo's only strength. The Provo area has enjoyed steady population growth this decade, expanding 31 percent since 2000. Its unemployment rate typically runs two to three points below the national average. And it has a strong educational system, capped by the presence of Brigham Young University. The runners-up are both college towns, too. Boulder and Madison are respectively the homes of the University of Colorado and the University of Wisconsin. Almost 55 percent of Boulder's adults have bachelor's degrees, easily leading all mid-sized metros in that category. Boulder is also noteworthy for its healthy entrepreneurial spirit. Seven percent of its adults are self-employed, twice the national average. Madison not only has a major university, but also serves as Wisconsin's state capital, giving it the benefit of a stable and upscale employment base. Forty-four percent of Madison's workers hold management or professional jobs. The comparable figure for a typical mid-range metro is 33 percent. The other members of the top 10 took different paths to get there. Bridgeport-Stamford is one of America's most affluent metros. Its median household income of $80,241 is easily the highest in any mid-sized market. Ann Arbor, site of the University of Michigan, has the nation's strongest concentration of adults with master's, doctoral and professional degrees, 27.7 percent. Ogden, which is 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, is the only mid-sized metro other than Provo where at least 20 percent of all houses have nine or more rooms. Fort Collins is another college community, the home of Colorado State University. It's one of just six mid-sized metros where more than 40 percent of all adults hold bachelor's degrees. Boise is one of the fastest-growing places in America, adding 123,000 people since 2000, a growth rate of 26.4 percent. The typical mid-sized metro grew 8.4 percent over the same span. Colorado Springs has a sizable corps of young adults, giving it a strong foundation for the future. Nearly 30 percent of Colorado Springs' residents are between the ages of 25 and 44, sixth-best in the mid-range study group. Des Moines is a joy for commuters fed up with the hassles of big-city traffic. The typical Des Moines adult takes 19.7 minutes to get from home to his or her workplace, compared to more than half an hour in major metros such as New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. All 124 markets in the study have been officially classified as metropolitan areas by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Each mid-sized metro is centered on a city with at least 50,000 residents. Adjacent suburbs and nearby countryside are added to boost the total population into the range of 250,000 to 1 million. The largest mid-sized metros are Tucson, Ariz., with 967,000 residents; Honolulu, with 906,000; and Tulsa, with 905,000, based on 2007 Census Bureau estimates. At the tail end are Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with 253,000 residents, and Santa Cruz, Calif., with 252,000. The following is a story about Des Moines ranking 10th in the nation among mid-sized American cities for the best quality of life. These mid-sized cities are all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA). Indianola is part of the Des Moines MSA and does contribute to the excellent quality of life the whole metro area enjoys.  Story by Bizjournals.

Mid-sized metros with the best quality of life
 
 
They contain only 20 percent of the U.S. population, but mid-sized metropolitan areas can be an appealing alternative to life in the big city.
The best of the bunch is Provo, Utah, according to a new bizjournals quality-of-life study. Boulder, Colo., and Madison, Wis., are the runners-up.
America's 124 mid-sized metros, with populations between 250,000 and 1 million people, have a total of 60 million residents. That puts them in the shadow of the nation's 51 major metros, those in the million-plus category, which contain 54 percent of all Americans.
The study compared the 124 mid-sized metros in 20 statistical categories, using the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. The highest scores went to well-rounded places with healthy economies, light traffic, moderate costs of living, impressive housing stocks and strong educational systems.
These are the top 10 mid-sized metros in terms of quality of life:
1. Provo, Utah
2. Boulder, Colo.
3. Madison, Wis.
4. Bridgeport-Stamford, Conn.
5. Ann Arbor, Mich.
6. Ogden, Utah
7. Fort Collins, Colo.
8. Boise, Idaho
9. Colorado Springs, Colo.
10. Des Moines, Iowa
Provo, which is located 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, earns top marks for its impressive inventory of big homes. Nearly 26 percent of Provo's houses have nine or more rooms. No other mid-sized metro does better than 20.2 percent.
But housing is not Provo's only strength. The Provo area has enjoyed steady population growth this decade, expanding 31 percent since 2000. Its unemployment rate typically runs two to three points below the national average. And it has a strong educational system, capped by the presence of Brigham Young University.
The runners-up are both college towns, too. Boulder and Madison are respectively the homes of the University of Colorado and the University of Wisconsin.
Almost 55 percent of Boulder's adults have bachelor's degrees, easily leading all mid-sized metros in that category. Boulder is also noteworthy for its healthy entrepreneurial spirit. Seven percent of its adults are self-employed, twice the national average.
Madison not only has a major university, but also serves as Wisconsin's state capital, giving it the benefit of a stable and upscale employment base. Forty-four percent of Madison's workers hold management or professional jobs. The comparable figure for a typical mid-range metro is 33 percent.
The other members of the top 10 took different paths to get there.
Bridgeport-Stamford is one of America's most affluent metros. Its median household income of $80,241 is easily the highest in any mid-sized market.
Ann Arbor, site of the University of Michigan, has the nation's strongest concentration of adults with master's, doctoral and professional degrees, 27.7 percent.
Ogden, which is 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, is the only mid-sized metro other than Provo where at least 20 percent of all houses have nine or more rooms.
Fort Collins is another college community, the home of Colorado State University. It's one of just six mid-sized metros where more than 40 percent of all adults hold bachelor's degrees.
Boise is one of the fastest-growing places in America, adding 123,000 people since 2000, a growth rate of 26.4 percent. The typical mid-sized metro grew 8.4 percent over the same span.
Colorado Springs has a sizable corps of young adults, giving it a strong foundation for the future. Nearly 30 percent of Colorado Springs' residents are between the ages of 25 and 44, sixth-best in the mid-range study group.
Des Moines is a joy for commuters fed up with the hassles of big-city traffic. The typical Des Moines adult takes 19.7 minutes to get from home to his or her workplace, compared to more than half an hour in major metros such as New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
All 124 markets in the study have been officially classified as metropolitan areas by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Each mid-sized metro is centered on a city with at least 50,000 residents. Adjacent suburbs and nearby countryside are added to boost the total population into the range of 250,000 to 1 million.

The largest mid-sized metros are Tucson, Ariz., with 967,000 residents; Honolulu, with 906,000; and Tulsa, with 905,000, based on 2007 Census Bureau estimates. At the tail end are Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with 253,000 residents, and Santa Cruz, Calif., with 252,000.

]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=10 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:47:56 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=10 myles@developindianola.com (Myles) News Indianola is Part of a Hot Growth Region! Des Moines The following is taken from an October 2008 article in Bizjournals about the United States housing markets, and looking specifically at the Des Moines metro area, including Indianola. Bizjournals ranks the Des Moines metro area, including Indianola, as the 90th most populous metro area in the country but the 28th best growth engine.  The specter of a prior real estate bubble helped Iowa avoid the current bust. After an agricultural debt crisis in the 1980s, when many farmers found themselves owing much more than the value of their land, Iowa began an aggressive push to diversify its economy. Many of the resulting development subsidies have contributed to a thriving region around Des Moines, the capital. Major insurance and financial-services companies call Des Moines home, including the Principal Financial Group. The media company Meredith Corporation, publisher of Ladies' Home Journal and Better Homes and Gardens, also maintains its headquarters in the city. Young people flocking to jobs here from other parts of Iowa have helped keep housing demand steady. But homebuyers in these high-paying, white-collar jobs don't need to stretch much to afford the metro area's median home price of $156,600. Though it's undergone a slight slowdown this year, Des Moines's real estate market never crashed, in part because it didn't experience much of a run-up. "Nobody here was flipping houses," says David Swenson, an economist with Iowa State University. The suburb of West Des Moines is a particularly strong market, with only six to seven months of inventory, compared with 10 or 11 months in other parts of the metro area. Much of West Des Moines's housing stock is new construction, both condos and single-family homes, but some historic flavor remains in the Valley Junction neighborhood, a collection of antique shops and other retailers in storefronts dating from the late 19th century. Tom Bernau, 47, moved this spring with his wife and 2-year-old son into a new, five-bedroom home on the third fairway of a private golf course in the city. The couple moved to West Des Moines for its excellent public schools, but before their son starts kindergarten, he's keeping busy at the country club next door. "We can take our golf cart from our house and go to the pool without going on a city street," Bernau says.   Des Moines

The following is taken from an October 2008 article in Bizjournals about the United States housing markets, and looking specifically at the Des Moines metro area, including Indianola.

Bizjournals ranks the Des Moines metro area, including Indianola, as the 90th most populous metro area in the country but the 28th best growth engine. 

The specter of a prior real estate bubble helped Iowa avoid the current bust. After an agricultural debt crisis in the 1980s, when many farmers found themselves owing much more than the value of their land, Iowa began an aggressive push to diversify its economy. Many of the resulting development subsidies have contributed to a thriving region around Des Moines, the capital. Major insurance and financial-services companies call Des Moines home, including the Principal Financial Group. The media company Meredith Corporation, publisher of Ladies' Home Journal and Better Homes and Gardens, also maintains its headquarters in the city. Young people flocking to jobs here from other parts of Iowa have helped keep housing demand steady. But homebuyers in these high-paying, white-collar jobs don't need to stretch much to afford the metro area's median home price of $156,600.
Though it's undergone a slight slowdown this year, Des Moines's real estate market never crashed, in part because it didn't experience much of a run-up. "Nobody here was flipping houses," says David Swenson, an economist with Iowa State University.

The suburb of West Des Moines is a particularly strong market, with only six to seven months of inventory, compared with 10 or 11 months in other parts of the metro area. Much of West Des Moines's housing stock is new construction, both condos and single-family homes, but some historic flavor remains in the Valley Junction neighborhood, a collection of antique shops and other retailers in storefronts dating from the late 19th century. Tom Bernau, 47, moved this spring with his wife and 2-year-old son into a new, five-bedroom home on the third fairway of a private golf course in the city. The couple moved to West Des Moines for its excellent public schools, but before their son starts kindergarten, he's keeping busy at the country club next door. "We can take our golf cart from our house and go to the pool without going on a city street," Bernau says.

 

]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=9 Wed, 7 Jan 2009 12:43:40 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=9 myles@developindianola.com (Myles) News Welcome to the New IDA Website Welcome to the new Indianola Development Association Website.  There will continue to be updates and additions to the website as we go forward.  Check back with us to see all the new information added and exciting news about development in Indianola, Iowa. Since the Indianola Development Association (IDA) was founded in 2007, Indianola has been working to make changes and grow our community.  In early 2008, the IDA marketing committee, which included various members of the community, rolled out the new logo for Indianola.  You will find the new logo being used by the Chamber, the Indianola Homebuilder's Association, Indianola city government, and of course by IDA.  This new logo being used by a broad section of the community shows the new effort to promote our community with a unified effort as well as broad community pride. Recently, there are plans for a $100 million mixed-use development planned for the north side of the city (more detail coming to this site very soon).  This is part of Indianola's determination to be an every larger contributor to metro Des Moines' extraordinary growth.  Metro Des Moines' growth rate has nearly matched the growth rate to metro Denver, Colorado.  This makes Des Moines one of the fastest growing metro areas in the Midwest.  Indianola is a part of that and will increase its contribution to the impressive growth statistics that greater Des Moines racks up. Welcome to the new Indianola Development Association Website.  There will continue to be updates and additions to the website as we go forward.  Check back with us to see all the new information added and exciting news about development in Indianola, Iowa.

Since the Indianola Development Association (IDA) was founded in 2007, Indianola has been working to make changes and grow our community.  In early 2008, the IDA marketing committee, which included various members of the community, rolled out the new logo for Indianola.  You will find the new logo being used by the Chamber, the Indianola Homebuilder's Association, Indianola city government, and of course by IDA.  This new logo being used by a broad section of the community shows the new effort to promote our community with a unified effort as well as broad community pride.

Recently, there are plans for a $100 million mixed-use development planned for the north side of the city (more detail coming to this site very soon).  This is part of Indianola's determination to be an every larger contributor to metro Des Moines' extraordinary growth.  Metro Des Moines' growth rate has nearly matched the growth rate to metro Denver, Colorado.  This makes Des Moines one of the fastest growing metro areas in the Midwest.  Indianola is a part of that and will increase its contribution to the impressive growth statistics that greater Des Moines racks up.

]]> http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=5 Wed, 7 Jan 2009 09:46:08 CST http://www.developindianola.com/blog/?blogID=5 myles@developindianola.com (Myles)