Here is IEDA’s Project Summary for Prestage Foods. I will have more information soon regarding the timeline of this project with responses to other questions I’ve asked regarding Prestage Foods. More later….MFW
Monthly Archives: April 2016
Who is responsible for bringing Prestage Farms to Mason City?
Chad Schreck is President & CEO of the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation. He provides executive leadership, management and fiscal oversight for the organization. This includes the successful implementation of our workforce development, business retention and recruitment projects, as well as playing a lead role in promoting the region locally and nationally. Prior to his role at the Corridor, Chad was Executive Director of the Midwest Partnership EDC in Stuart, Iowa overseeing a four-county region. Preceding his position there, he worked as the Regional Economic Development Planner at Region XII Council of Governments in Carroll, Iowa.
Chad earned his Masters degree from Drake University in Public Administration with a concentration in Executive Leadership and his bachelors in Law, Politics and Society at Drake University. Schreck is a lifelong Iowan with a passion for creating a rich and vibrant future for his community as well as the state, and is active in various community and charitable organizations
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Corridor is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors that works closely with local community development organizations, financial institutions, businesses, industries, as well as agencies and elected officials in local, county, state and federal government. Members are appointed both by our public partners and by way of a Nominating Committee. Nominations are accepted year-round; to make a nomination, contact President Chad Schreck.
OFFICERS
- Gary Schmit
- Dan Varnum
- Jay Urdahl
- Tim Esbeck
- Mark Hewitt
DIRECTORS
- Deb Blaser Gretillat
- Nate Carney
- Travis Hickey
- Arthur Jones
- Nicole Rognes-Olson
- Terry Peterson
- Troy Swanson
EX-OFFICIOS
- Eric Bookmeyer
- Nelson Crabb
- Dr. Steve Schulz
- Tom Drzycimski
- Scott Flory
- Brent Trout
There is no question, after talking to several elected officials and staff members that this is Mayor Eric Bookmeyer’s “baby.” Eric has promised economic development for the past 6 years in all of his State of the City speeches, but has not been able to deliver on this promise. This has as much to do with Eric’s ego than anything else. This type of facility is scraping the bottom of the economic development barrel. And I really mean it when I say this, I think he is still pissed off because of losing the “trash to gas plant” 4 years ago. Which is to date, his only other attempt at economic development and bringing jobs to the area. Well Eric, you are going to bring much more than jobs to the area now, and I am sure you have your “exit strategy” planned already. I also want go to on record, that in 2 years, if you are still here, you will accept a job with Prestage Farms, Inc. Shame on you… Shame on us for electing you…
Chad Schreck and the Board of the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp. also facilitated bringing Prestage Farms, Inc. to Mason City, Iowa. I am not sure if it was “Eric’s Magic”, or just peer pressure from each other, or were they just blindsided at the 11th hour like the rest of us on this fast tracked bad deal? More later…MFW.
It takes a mighty big dog to weigh a ton
Most everyone in Mason City, Clear Lake, and other parts of the state are aware of the newest Iowa Economic Development Authority’s project – Presatge Foods of Iowa. Prestage, home-based in North Carolina, wants to build a pork processing plant inside Mason City’s southern city limits. This huge $240 million dollar project involving a massive 650,000 square foot building was dropped like……a ton of bricks? A bomb? Or a Giant Redwood falling on our community. Or should we go with what City Administrator Brent Trout said, “This will be a changer for Mason City.” What Trout said was a mouthful and I hope we don’t all choke on it.
Anyway, I’d have to say this is by far the largest project and decision for Mason City in my lifetime, and probably yours. With that said, I must interrupt my train of thought and share with you 2 pieces of mail I received in the past week.
Letter 1 This letter is typical of the mail I’ve gotten over the years. They’re usually not signed, and most of the time the content isn’t very accurate. They’re usually just mean spirited, personal and vindictive. I give this letter a 6 on a scale of 1-10. That’s my own grading system….and it’s confidential. I do know that several people in the community received the same letter.
Letter 2 This is the more serious and telling of the two letters. I’ll give this a 10 on my confidential grading scale of personal attack letters. After you read letter two, you’ll understand why.
I remember several times, late last year, driving west on 19th St SW past the former AMPI or State Brands Creamery building (on the corner of Pierce Ave and 19th St SW, just 1 mile north of the proposed Prestage plant) seeing vehicles and equipment with Illinois license plates at the plant. At that time someone said a food processor was coming to town, but nothing ever opened up. Then, with the announcement of Prestage, the first thing I did was simply go out and drive around, checking out the lay of the land. I won’t go into my MO, but what I found was more activity on the back side of AMPI. I saw those same vehicles with Illinois plates and more equipment. I stopped and spoke with one of the three workers. He was very friendly and accommodating, but didn’t know much about the company. These companies can be very difficult to trace, but here’s what I’ve found so far. The new owner of this building is Chipped Brick, LLC. PO Box 244, Alpha, IL 61413. Cerro Gordo Property search #071740002700. The name of the company is Iowa Dry Transload Services, 1305 19th St SW. Which is related to Midwest Dry Transload, Inc. 641-423-0391. Email Tim@iowadry.com. My googling and reading has led me to believe that there’s more to these companies than meets the eye. I’m not ready to call it good or bad. Feel free to do your own research. I’m thinking it may be linked to Prestage. Letter 2 says I’m going to shit my pants when they tell me what’s coming to town next. More later….
MY FINDINGS:
Associated Milk Producers Inc., to Chipped Brick LLC, 17-96-20, NE SE, SE SE, Part of E ½ N and W of RR Exc W50’ and Also Exc Parcel as Desc in Survey B91 P1056 and Exc Part of NE of SE Deeded to City of Mason City B08 P5586, $500,000.
North Iowa Area Community College, State of Iowa-$3485000 Taxable Industrial New Jobs Training Certificates, Series 2015-1, November 6, 2015.
Midwest Dry Transload, Inc.- Midwest Dry Transload, Inc. designs, builds, and operates one of a kind processing for dry food by products. They pack and depack: supersack, bag, box, tote and gaylord dry food byproducts for a variety of customers and brokers all over the United States which in turn move these products all over the world. Midwest Dry also warehouses products customized for short or long term storage requirements. They also offer contract pelleting, mixing, grinding, screen cleaning, and separation services. Midwest Dry’s style of operation also allows their customers to be able to custom brand products with all their own unique trademarks.
Midwest Dry is adding 15 new positions to their Mason City, Iowa location. Positions include, production, warehousing, office support, and supervisors.
Pet-Food Manufacturer Shutting Down After Spending ‘Every Penny’ to Comply with OSHA Standards-Click link to read full story.
In all fairness I had an amicable discussion with Mr. Tim Anderson. He was very forthright in answering my questions. When we talked about the NIACC Job Training Bill, it became more sketchy. I am not sure that was totally accurate that he talked more about the safety issue than job training. Mr. Anderson spent $500000 acquiring the former AMPI building. There is going to be more activity than just 15 employees bagging pellets and transloading. When asked if he had any relationship with Prestage Farms, Inc. he said, “no, not at all, but he is very aware of what is 1 mile south of him.” He also responded that he would not turn down a conversation with Prestage in the future. His company does have experience with meat, bone, bloodmeal, roasting, etc. He also mentioned that he there will be certain kind of business that will follow a plant that size, (Prestage) and they will most likely support the hog processing industry. He said that Progressive Rail is also in his building and they may be doing some sort of food tanker business in the future. He said that Mason City is in a favorable position to attract this kind of business. Dog food plant, possibly. Is this the answer to letter #2, where the author said, “Max is going to shit his pants, when we tell him what is coming to town next?” Anything can happen after the May 3, 2016 Mason City Council vote.