The U.S. Census is conducted in the United States every 10 years. The Census aims to count the entire population of the United States. The Census asks American households certain questions such as sex, age, and race of each person in the household. These demographics help determine congressional representation and how much funding each state, county, and community received of the $675 billion per year in federal funding. These funds are spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other essential programs.

The U.S. Census data is also very helpful for businesses and developers. Businesses can use Census data to decide the best place for them to locate their business. This data allows business owners to pinpoint the very best area for their business to be as successful as possible. Developers can use this data to help revitalize areas of the country.

The Census data is usually collected via in-person house calls by Census workers. However, since the outbreak and spread of the Covid-19 virus, the U.S. Census Bureau has had to stop all door-to-door transactions. The Census Bureau has also halted all in-person activities for their staff. This includes all office work and processing activities. They have increased their call center capacity with employees working from home to gather the Census data.

So, what does this mean for the 2020 U.S. Census? It means that Americans will have to use other means of getting their household data. People can fill out their Census information online, via phone, or by mail self-responses throughout the collection process.

The collection process was originally scheduled to from March 12, 2020, to July 31, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the U.S. Census Bureau has extended the deadline to October 31, 2020. In-person house calls are postponed until July 1, 2020. The Census data is now rescheduled to be completed and delivered to the President of the United States by April 30, 2021.

Most households received an invitation to respond to the 2020 Census between March 12-20, 2020. Each household is also given a Census ID that will need to be input when completing the online Census. For households who want to fill out the Census online visit my2020Census.gov to complete your Census information. Households can also mail in their responses or call 844-330-2020 to complete the Census via phone.

The U.S. Census Bureau is doing its best to ensure that the Census continues while also protecting the health of its employees and fellow Americans. The Bureau is dedicated to gathering the most accurate information from each household to ensure that communities are receiving the funding they deserve. The Bureau urges people to continue to participate in the Census via online, phone, or mail-in responses. Check 2020Census.gov for updates on the Covid-19 crisis and updates on the 2020 Census.

We here at Carroll Area Development Corporation hope our residents are staying safe during this time. Please continue to check back for more information regarding the Covid-19 crisis and how this will continue to affect the 2020 U.S. Census.

There is never a good time for a pandemic to invade a community. But for Templeton Rye Spirits, the timing of the COVID-19 crisis could not have been worse.

“We had to temporarily close our Visitor Center, as we were just getting ready to ramp up for our busy season where we host up to 400 visitors in a week,” said Chase Prebeck, Templeton’s Hospitality Manager. “Not only did this impact our general weekly and monthly business, but it affected our part time employees that worked in the Visitor Center.”

But over the past weeks, the producer of high-caliber rye whiskey in Templeton, Iowa has learned to continue production while, at the same time, turning a focus to helping others.

Adapting to the crisis

Standard production for Templeton Rye includes a full distillery with distilling, barreling and bottling whiskey operations. With the Visitor Center closed, the only people coming and going from the facility are workers as that production has continued. Therefore, the company has had to take steps to maintain a safe work environment while keeping production online.

“We have taken a number of different steps across the business to ensure the safety of our employees, their families and everyone in the community,” said Prebeck. “We are following CDC guidelines, like cleaning work surfaces daily, providing hand sanitizer across all facilities for employees to use throughout the day and keeping proper social distancing in the workplace.”

In addition to standard operations, the company decided to send reverse osmosis water to Mitchellville to make hand sanitizer as part of a state of Iowa program. Templeton Rye is providing the water free of charge for sanitizer to be distributed to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and county Emergency Medical Services throughout the state.

Carroll helps businesses

Prebeck said the Carroll County area has been a great resource, supporting responsible practices to allow local companies to keep production moving forward. And the company is thankful to be in an area where people take the crisis very seriously, following all of the different measures to keep everyone safe.  

“The Carroll Chamber of Commerce has reached out to let us know about a number of different resources but we have not needed to utilize them just yet, as we have been pretty self-sufficient at our facility so far,” said Prebeck. “Being in a community like Carroll ensures we don’t have to skip a beat in production and bottling while working in a safe and clean environment.”

Ready for visitors

Templeton Rye knows things will not go completely back to normal in the near future, adapting with the new conditions and guidelines required. The company believes operations will resume close to pre-crisis status at some point in the next year. It now plans to reopen the Visitor Center on June 24 and will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. and is committed to doing so with a safe environment for all visitors. Tours will be available at 9:00a.m., 11:00a.m., 1:00p.m. and 3:00p.m. Prebeck said there are some new whiskeys they had planned to release this year. They are especially excited to introduce a 10-year Corn Whiskey when they reopen their doors. The small amount of the unique one-time release will only be available in the Visitor Center.

“We can’t wait to reopen our doors to the public and hope to see everyone soon,” said Prebeck. “In the meantime, stay safe and stay healthy!”

The Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of individuals from the public and private sector with relevant business experience. They provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, representing public and private economic development interests throughout Carroll County, Iowa.

Why do you believe in the Carroll Area Development Corporation?

I believe in the Carroll Area Development Corporation because it’s forward thinking, as stated in its mission statement that it has a “future-oriented and politically astute commitment to economic and community development in Carroll County.” CADC is relentlessly trying to collaborate with other entities, energize our local economy and recruit business to the area.

Why did you want to serve on the Board of Directors for CADC?

Being asked to serve as a Board of Director was a wonderful opportunity for me to be more actively involved in the positive change CADC has on our community.

Why do you love to live and work in Carroll County?

I’ve lived in the Carroll area all my life.  I am the third generation in my family company and am excited for my two sons who are starting to make it the fourth generation. Carroll County has many opportunities for people to work, live and succeed.

The Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of individuals from the public and private sector with relevant business experience. They provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, representing public and private economic development interests throughout Carroll County, Iowa.

Why do you believe in the Carroll Area Development Corporation?

CADC as an organization is important to the stability and growth of business and industry in Carroll County.

Why did you want to serve on the Board of Directors for CADC?

First, I believe people should serve their communities.  Second, I want to see that Carroll County continues to grow as a regional business center and I feel that I can assist with that growth.

Why do you love to live and work in Carroll County?

From a business standpoint, I like that Carroll County has a progressive business culture.  Carroll County offers many amenities, shopping, entertainment, education, health and safety, it’s a great place to work and live.

As local businesses struggle to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis, communities within Carroll County have actively sought options to provide them relief. Several cities have provided grants and emergency loans to small businesses within their jurisdiction as a means to get funding to the businesses, knowing competition for state and federal funding may be very high.

“Communities that are able to realize their need and find creative, local solutions are communities that are strong for the long term,” said Shannon Landauer, Carroll Area Development Corporation Executive Director. “When faced with adversity, several Carroll County communities looked within to find the support mechanisms needed to provide support to local businesses, organizations and residents.”

City Funding

The city of Carroll recently chose to provide $100,000 in grants to local small businesses experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. Knowing of coming state and federal assistance programs, the city determined that funding at the local level was important to deploy resources to local businesses quickly to serve as a bridge until other funding mechanisms became available. Eligibility for the grants, funded from the Local Option Sales Tax, included a business must be located in Carroll and have 25 or fewer employees. Applications were taken for one week before an independent committee reviewed all applications to determine which ones would receive funding. Out of 120 applications received, 74 businesses were awarded grants.

The city of Manning acted quickly to make their city-administered revolving loan funds available to the current hurdles facing local businesses.

“Not only did we offer a three-month deferment for existing loan holders, we also shifted some funds to an emergency loan program that had a simplified application period and a quick turn-around,” said Dawn Meyer, Manning City Clerk. “The emergency loans range from $2,000 to $10,000 with no interest or payments for the first year and a four-year repayment after that.”

State Funding

States across the nation are trying to provide relief to small businesses as well. As part of the Iowa Small Business Relief Program, 31 Carroll County businesses were awarded grants ranging in value from $5,000 to $25,000. County businesses received grants totaling $571,000 as of May 4, part of over $56 million awarded to businesses throughout the state. The review and approval of these applications is ongoing with additional recipients to be listed at https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/businessrecovery.

The grants were intended to maintain businesses or allow them to reopen following the pandemic, but not to pay debts prior to March 17. Priority was given to applications projecting income losses of at least 75 percent and first to possibly close and only businesses with between 2 and 25 employees were eligible.

Federal Funding

Federal funding has recently been in flux due to high demand for projects like the Paycheck Protection Plan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans. As of April 16, the Paycheck Protection Program accepted 29,424 loans totaling over $4.3 million. The U.S. Small Business Administration has stopped accepting applications for many of the COVID-19 response programs. But the U.S. Congress appears to have come to agreement on providing additional funding.

There are other federal programs small business owners can turn to. One example is the Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program, which allows those with an existing relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.

Whether seeking grants as federal, state or local levels, businesses should keep in touch with their local economic business development experts to be kept abreast of current financing conditions.

“Consulting with individuals like Kimberly Tiefenthaler, the North Central Iowa Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center is recommended to determine which program is right for businesses for the long term,” said Landauer. “Available programs from the CARES Act, such as Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Paycheck Protection Plan, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and others yet to be announced can put the right tools to work for each business.”

The Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of individuals from the public and private sector with relevant business experience. They provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, representing public and private economic development interests throughout Carroll County, Iowa.

Why do you believe in the Carroll Area Development Corporation?

I believe that spending time focusing on the economic climate in our area is very important. This focus will ensure the stability of our region for many years to come.

Why did you want to serve on the Board of Directors for CADC?

We are all better when we work together towards a common goal. Volunteerism is the best work of life.

Why do you love to live and work in Carroll County?

The Carroll area is a very special place where you can work, play and live a comfortable lifestyle while making an impact on the success of the area.

The Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of individuals from the public and private sector with relevant business experience. They provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, representing public and private economic development interests throughout Carroll County, Iowa.

Why do you believe in the Carroll Area Development Corporation? 

As a member from a smaller community, I recognize the importance of a regional approach.  There are things that Carroll can offer that we can’t.  Likewise, there are things that the small communities thrive at.  As the region grows, it helps all of us.  And CADC is uniquely qualified to be able to represent the region and offer expertise to the whole county.

Why did you want to serve on the Board of Directors for CADC? 

I enjoy being involved and I enjoy challenges.  Trying to help find solutions for things like housing and workforce is very rewarding.  And I enjoy the wide-range of experiences and expertise that the board members brings to the table.

Why do you love to live and work in Carroll County? 

Carroll County offers everything we need and the people are some of the best.

Trophies Plus, Inc., has historically made awards and signs for high schools and youth organizations around the Midwest. But as the COVID-19 crisis spread to rural Iowa, the company has learned to lean on the “Plus” side of its name.

“We’ve had to turn to markets we were not involved in prior to this crisis,” said Jim Jensen, owner of Trophies Plus. “None of them are very profitable right now, but it allows me to keep my people employed and busy until things start moving again.”

Trophies Plus, of Carroll County, specializes in creating custom branded awards and promotional products for over 400 high schools nationally, including 200 in Iowa alone. It also provides custom awards to national sporting and academic events and corporations, like the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Iowa Games, the United States Academic Decathlon, WNIT Basketball and Volleyball, the United States Chess Federation and AAU Wrestling.

Reaction to COVID-19

But the demand for those products has dwindled as schools and organizations cancel their typical springtime activities. So Trophies Plus has turned to alternative products to keep their business active.

“To start, we changed our chenille department that makes letterman jackets over and started sewing masks and hospital gowns for local nursing homes and hospitals,” said Jensen. “And we put our lasers to use by cutting out plastic to help make face shields.”

The company also began making personalized signs for order to thank community essential workers or recognize graduating high school seniors. Trophies Plus charges $25 per sign but donates $15 per sign to a food bank or charity in the community the sign went to. So far they have over 100 signs in Carroll, Sac, Calhoun and Audubon Counties and have shipped signs to other communities all over the Midwest.

Original COVID-19 impact

The change in production was necessitated by the fact the company has experienced over $800,000 in cancellations so far, as schools and sporting events were cancelled, with no need for the event awards. And Jensen said this could impact Trophies Plus over more than just this year, with the possibility of an additional $350,000 loss.

“We expect track to be completely cancelled for most of the country, but we had already delivered the majority of Iowa track items in January, ” said Jensen. “If they don’t need them now, they will most likely use them next year, which means they won’t order next year.”

Another large source of their income is the senior awards, academic awards and those for clubs like speech and drama typically handed out at graduation ceremonies. But a few schools have called saying they plan to do a virtual graduation.

“We will roll with the punches, but either way, I have to assume there won’t be the volume we are used to,” said Jensen.

Help of a small community

The change in production would not have been possible alone. While the company did receive funding through the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), Jensen said he is not sure that would have been possible without the help of their local bank.

“I have to say one of the largest benefits was working with my local bank, because Ryan Milligan and his team at Commercial Savings Bank in Carroll were completely on the ball with all of the programs available to their partners,” he said. “They care about their customers and want us to survive, which is a lot different than national banks where you are just a number.”

Jensen said he is hearing horror stories from industry colleagues in larger cities where their banks have not submitted their applications for the stimulus package and are even having issues getting answers from their banks. In contrast, the Carroll Area Development Corporation, local bank and many local agencies and government offices have been emailing and updating information on options and availability of help since this began.

“Having that support group, along with other business leaders, has helped us realize that everyone is dealing with the same worries,” said Jensen

Uncertain future

Those worries are sure to extend into the summer months as areas attempt to move back to historical business and life patterns. But Jensen said he is not sure what that “normal” will look like. He is hopeful regular business will pick up but he also sees an opportunity to focus on the markets Trophies Plus has not generally been not involved in. The company has been working with an advertising firm to start to figure out what the new Trophies Plus will look like, and will be aggressively marketing starting in a couple weeks.

“I believe we have created some new customers within the healthcare industry, based on our help with gowns, masks and face shields,” said Jensen. “I don’t know exactly what the future holds for us at Trophies Plus, but I’m sure we will be here at the end of this.”

“One of Western Iowa’s Largest Independent Telephone Companies!”

Iowa is a largely rural state, which can make it hard to gain access to high-quality fiber optics and internet communications services. Luckily in Iowa, Western Iowa Networks (WIN) has been serving local communities with just such services. Western Iowa Networks delivers rural companies and businesses unbeatable high-quality Fiber Internet, with speeds up to 1Gbps, Digital TV & Phone services and a full suite of Managed IT services.

Starting in 1905, WIN has always been a company dedicated to delivering state of the art technology to people, with the goal of matching and even surpassing the internet services offered in larger cities. These services that WIN offers allows these rural companies and businesses to compete with businesses in larger cities. With WIN’s services, rural companies can take advantage of the hard-working local workforce and have a lower overhead than their larger city competitors.

“Our staff is dedicated to doing what is best and right for each customer we serve.  Our goal is not to sell services but to serve the customer with what is best for them and their needs.” - Jeff Roiland (Western Iowa Networks, CEO)

Compared to other local internet service providers, WIN goes above and beyond to give their customers the most comprehensive internet communication services as possible, for the best price. Western Iowa Networks offers its customers amazing customer service and support. Their IT services allow customers to call a local IT helpline who will help the customers take care of any issues they might have in a fraction of the time it takes many national companies to provide such services. WIN’s competition simply cannot compare to WIN’s services. Western Iowa Networks provides more bandwidth, higher speeds, and more reliability than any of its competitors.

“The best part of operating in Iowa is having the pleasure of interacting with our customers. The people in Iowa really are the most friendly people you will find anywhere.” – Wes Treadway (Western Iowa Networks, Customer Service Manager)

Western Iowa Networks has expanded throughout its 115 years of service. They now serve the communities of Carroll, Breda, Denison, Arcadia, Westside, Lidderdale, Glidden, Macedonia, Pacific Junction, Farragut, and Glenwood, Iowa. Managed IT services, as well as their other internet network services, are available in all of these locations. WIN has offices in Breda, Carroll, and Denison for all residents and businesses looking for a highly reliable local internet and cable provider.

Western Iowa Networks has countless businesses and organizations that benefit from their comprehensive high-quality services. For example, the small town of Breda, IA, is home to several companies that are conducting business nationwide. Without WIN’s reliable services it would be very difficult to conduct such business.

Thanks to WIN’s services, even in rural areas, businesses have the opportunity to utilize the high-powered fiber-optic network and internet speed to conduct business with customers, such as video conferencing with local and remote customers. Or even providing a live video feed to their customers of products being built, as one company in the local area has done, thanks to WIN.

Western Iowa Networks' mission is to provide dependable communication services to customers, offering state of the art technology. WIN provides services that provide local economic benefits and presence. WIN continues to strive to improve upon their services and operations as need arises, to ensure the very best and high-quality internet and communications services.

Click here to learn more about Western Iowa Networks and step into the future of fiber optic technology.

Conventional measures of innovation suggest that only big cities foster new ideas, but a more comprehensive measure developed at the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development shows that innovation is widespread even in rural places not typically thought of as innovative. This "hidden" innovation brings economic benefits to businesses and communities, according to researchers, whose findings will help decision makers think in new ways about innovation and how they can support it.

Click here to view the complete article.