MCBD receives 2019 National Main Street accreditation

Marshalltown Central Business District has been designated as an accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street America programs to recognize their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

“We are proud to acknowledge this year’s 840 nationally accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to strengthen their communities,” Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center, said. “These programs deserve recognition for generating impressive economic returns, preserving community character and celebrating local history. Main Street America Accredited communities are part of a powerful movement of change-makers and their dedication to improving quality of life in the places they call home is inspiring.

In 2018 alone, Main Street America programs generated $4.93 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 5,310 net new businesses, generated 25,301 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 8,146 historic buildings and clocked 2.2 million volunteer hours.

The Marshalltown Central Business District’s performance is annually evaluated by Main Street Iowa, which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet 10 national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings.

Jenny Etter, executive director, relates how important this accreditation is and how helpful the National Organization has been throughout the year but specifically after the tornado supplying resources and support through a very difficult time.

New director at Tama County Economic Development

The Tama County Economic Development Commission announced the selection of Katherine Ollendieck as its new Economic Development Director. She began her new position on April 9.

Ollendieck brings more than 20 years of economic development experience and is closely tied to Tama County.

Ollendieck is married with two children, daughter Abigail is a senior at the University of Northern Iowa and son Sam is a senior at Union Community School District. Ollendieck and husband Doug have called rural Dysart home for 25 years.

Ollendieck replaces former director Heath Kellogg.

“Katherine has a relationship with our County and she will be able to tell our story easily. She is an effective leader with a long history of making projects happen in Tama County” said County Supervisor and TCEDC member Larry Vest.

Ollendieck has spent the past 20 years as an independent consultant and grant writer, assisting Iowa communities to secure grant funds for community development projects. She served as the Benton County Economic Development Director prior to that.

“I am ready to hit the ground running. I have spent my career fighting for Iowa communities and it has been incredibly rewarding. I’m truly looking forward to the opportunity to work for the people I call friends and neighbors. I love where I’m from and believe in my heart that Iowa is a truly special place,” Ollendieck said.

Ollendieck, together with community partners and leaders, will oversee Tama County’s economic development initiatives.

“Katherine was selected from a pool of qualified candidates. She has a proven track record of effective leadership and strategic planning. We believe her enthusiasm and experience will serve Tama County well,” TCEDC President Tom Brandt said.

MCC celebrates recognition as Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institute

Marshalltown Community College announced that it has been recognized by the Excelencia in Education as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. Only three other colleges in the state have received this recognition in 2019.

MCC will be hosting events throughout the year to commemorate this achievement, starting with a celebration from 10:30 a.m. to noon on April 29. The event will include a short program by MCC Provost Dr. Robin Lilienthal at 10:45 a.m. along, with three MCC students sharing their experiences and stories. Refreshments and music will be provided.

The event is open to the community and will be held at MCC’s Faust Student Union.

Wound Healing Center win excellence award

The UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown Wound Healing Center at the Medical Park was the recipient of the 2018 Center of Excellence award Wednesday.

This award is presented to centers or departments that have achieved high clinical outcomes for at least two years in a row.

The center’s 2018 clinical metrics were:

• Heal rate: 96 percent

• Median days to heal: 22

• Patient satisfaction rate: 93 percent

• Outliers — patients who haven’t healed within 14 weeks: 12 percent.

Attending were department staff and hospital colleagues.

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Submit local business news

The Times-Republican invites businesses in its circulation area to submit brief items concerning their employees or businesses for the Names & Notes column, which is published on Sundays.

Potential subjects of these business briefs include announcements of new businesses, branch acquisitions, departures of longtime employees, employee recognitions or new hires. Submissions will be edited and run on a space-available basis. Items must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration in Sunday’s column.

Submit brief articles and JPEG headshots to: Names & Notes, Newsroom, Times-Republican, 135 W. Main St., Marshalltown 50158, or call Kathy Beane at 641-753-6611 or email news@timesrepublican.com