Lt. Governor stops in Anamosa on state tour

     Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg stopped in Jones County on July 19 as part of his 99-county tour across the state.

     Jones County Economic Development Executive Director Derek Lumsden spent time with Gregg in Anamosa, showcasing the work being done in the city’s downtown district.

     Gregg also stopped for a photo at Anamosa’s “God Bless America” sculpture.

     “He spoke about how great of a boon this could be for Iowa tourism,” noted Lumsden of the Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” statue currently on display in Anamosa. “He made sure that Anamosa reached out to the state and the Department of Cultural Affairs to see if there is help they might be able to give towards the permanent ownership of the sculpture locally.”

     The City of Anamosa, JCED, and downtown business owners came together for a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) façade project. Work is underway right now on the project.

     “He (Gregg) noted how great these projects are for rural communities,” shared Lumsden.

     The façade project costs over $1 million. Lumsden also shared with Gregg how the project would look once complete.

     Plans are in the works for a similar project on the north side of Main Street in Anamosa once this phase is complete.

     “The hope would be to start working on initial plans for that (grant) application this fall with a submission date in 2022,” noted Lumsden.

     The final stop on Gregg’s visit to Anamosa was Metal Design Systems, which is currently housed in the former Bennett Machine manufacturing facility on Chamber Drive. Gregg met with Kreg Tjelmeland, president and CEO of Metal Design, and also toured an upper-story renovation project.

     “Kreg talked about his acquisition of the Bennett building and the work to be done out there,” said Lumsden, “in addition to needing some short-term office space.”

     Right now, Metal Design is renovating the Bennett facility, and also assisted the City of Anamosa to renovating the upper level of City Hall, which Metal Design is using as temporary office space until the work is done in their facility on Chamber Drive.

     “After speaking with myself and Anamosa City Administrator Beth Brincks, it was decided to approach the (Anamosa) City Council about a renovation plan where Metal Design would cover the cost of some of the work in exchange for rent,” continued Lumsden. “Not only could Metal Design use it, but once they had moved out to their new site, the space would be a benefit to the city to rent out for wide range of gatherings.”

     Tjelmeland then extended an invite to the Lieutenant Governor to attend a ribbon-cutting event once the work in done at the old Bennett facility.