Community News Stories

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are taking extra precautions to reduce their risk of contracting this virus including wearing gloves when heading out in public. While vinyl, latex and nitryl gloves protect the skin from body fluids and certain harmful chemicals, they don’t protect you from contracting viruses including COVID-19.

It may come as a surprise, but healthcare experts say wearing gloves won’t give you an added layer of protection against the risk of coming into contact with germs. Most experts say a pair of gloves won’t lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 mostly because wearing gloves provides a false sense of security that bare hands do not. Also, germs collect on the gloves as a person touches surfaces and spread when they touch other objects.

The best way to decrease your risk of COVID-19 is to practice proper hand washing, practice social distancing and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

LANE CLOSURES ON IOWA 9 BETWEEN WAUKON AND LANSING BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 4

POSTED ON: MAY 01, 2020

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – May 1, 2020 – A project to resurface and add asphalt shoulders to Iowa 9 between 10th Avenue Northwest in Waukon and South Road in Lansing will require lane closures with traffic being directed by a pilot car and flaggers beginning on Monday, May 4, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office.

Replacement of culverts from the north city limits of Waukon to Allamakee County Road A-44 on Iowa 9 will require a full closure with a marked detour route beginning on Monday, May 11 until early June. During the closure, motorists will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 9, Ninth Street, Iowa 76, and Allamakee County Road A-44.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites), or download the free app to your mobile device.

To receive email or text alerts about traffic incidents, road closures, traffic delays, and other restrictions that affect this highway route or other routes you travel, the Iowa DOT offers the “Your 511” option on 511ia.org. It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive the email/text alerts. Visit https://iowadot.gov/511/511-full-feature-website-help/how-to-videos for simple, step-by-step instructions.

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Contact: Ron Loecher at 641-394-3161 or ron.loecher@iowadot.us

“Test Iowa” site opens at Crossroads Mall in Waterloo

April 29, 2020 5:45 pm Taylor Vessel Coronavirus, News, Top Stories, Waterloo News

WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) — The second of its kind, a drive-thru testing site for “Test Iowa” opened Wednesday at Crossroads Mall in Waterloo.

For the first two days, the tent will operate from noon to 6 p.m. before becoming fully operational on Friday, when it will operate instead from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. moving forward.

Iowans who simply drive up without an appointment from TestIowa.com will be turned away.

“Once they reach the area, we ask that people keep their windows up and have their IDs and QR code, that they’ll receive from TestIowa.com, ready. Once they reach the site, they’ll be directed by National Guard soldiers where to go to next,” said Major Bryan Davis with the Iowa National Guard who are facilitating the site’s opening.

Wednesday morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds wished the site luck and said they were prioritizing essential workers for the first tests.

COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants
Issued April 28, 2020
Iowa restaurants have a responsibility to take measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The
Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on April 27, 2020, allows restaurants in all counties
except the following to resume limited on-premises dining service effective 5 a.m. on May 1, 2020, until
11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2020: Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque,
Fayette, Henry, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama,
Washington, or Woodbury.
RQ1: Is a restaurant required to physically remove tables or booths?
A: If a facility is unable to remove tables or booths to ensure a minimum of six feet between guests, tables
or booths which are not available for seating guests must be identified by signage.
RQ2: Is a restaurant required to take an employee’s temperature before allowing the employee to enter
the facility?
A: This is strongly encouraged. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must be excluded from work. This is a
reasonable public health measure that a restaurant can implement.
RQ3: What social distancing strategies should I use?
A: Do not allow guests to congregate in waiting or bar areas. Design a process to ensure guest separation
while waiting to be seated. This can include adding floor markings, enforcing social distancing outside the
restaurant, having customers wait in cars, etc. Consider also using a facility exit separate from the main
entrance, in addition to the main entrance. Predetermine traffic paths to/from restrooms to limit
proximity for guests and staff.
RQ4: Can a restaurant located in a mall or food court allow guests to utilize common seating in malls,
food courts, or in other venues where there is normally common seating?
A: Common seating areas outside restaurant dining rooms remain closed. Restaurants that utilize only
common seating (e.g., food courts) may continue to offer carry-out and delivery options only.
RQ5: Can restaurants refill customer beverages?
A: Refilling beverages at the table or from common containers (e.g., pitchers, carafes, decanters, bottles,
kettles, etc.) is strongly discouraged. We recommend using clean glassware to provide customer refills.
RQ6: Can a bowling alley or other entertainment venue with a restaurant reopen for on-premise dining?
A: Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks remain closed to the public. The
restaurant area of the facility may reopen for on-premises dining in accordance with the proclamation.
However, non-dining activities must remain closed to the public, including but not limited to bowling,
pool, darts, arcade games, amusement devices, and other games of skill or chance.
RQ7: Can a restaurant allow customers to use pool tables, dartboards, arcade games, amusement
devices, and other games of skill or chance?
A: No, the use of these items by the public continues to be prohibited in the governor’s proclamation.
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 2 of 5
RQ8: Can a restaurant provide live music and dancing?
A: We strongly advise against this practice. The governor’s proclamation requires restaurants to
implement reasonable measures to ensure social distancing of employees and customers, increased
hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
RQ9: Can a bar or brewery tap room partner with a mobile food unit or restaurant, or utilize restaurant
delivery options to allow on-premises dining along with alcohol sales?
A: No, bars must remain closed to the public, except for carry-out and delivery only. For the purposes of
this order, a bar is an establishment where a customer may purchase alcoholic beverages and in which
the serving of food in incidental to the consumption of those beverages and is limited to the service of
ice, snack foods, and the reheating of commercially prepared foods such as frozen pizza, pre-packaged
sandwiches, or other prepackaged, ready-to-serve products.
RQ10: Can a restaurant within a golf course clubhouse reopen to on-premises dining?
A: Restaurants within golf course clubhouses and other social and fraternal clubs may reopen to the public
for on-premise dining, provided clubhouse activities and other club activities remain closed and the
restaurant operates in accordance with the governor’s proclamation.
RQ11: Since restaurants are not allowed to conduct self-service food or beverage operations, are
grocery and convenience stores also prohibited from offering self-service food and beverage
operations?
A: Grocery and convenience stores are not mandated to cease customer self-service operations. We
advise that each operation assess self-service and consider discontinuing self-service beverages. We
further advise selling food that has been wrapped or placed in individual containers only.
RQ12: The governor’s proclamation states restaurants must limit the number of customers present in
indoor or outdoor spaces to 50 percent of its normal operating capacity to ensure adequate spacing of
groups. How is “operating capacity” defined or interpreted?
A: Operating capacity means the maximum number of individuals able to be seated for use by restaurant
patrons on the premises, which may include indoor and outdoor seating areas. Fifty percent operating
capacity includes customers seated for on-premise dining service, as well as customers waiting within the
indoor and/or outdoor seating areas for carry-out orders.
RQ13: How much distance do we need between restaurant tables?
A: The restaurant must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual diner.
RQ14: What if my family group is larger than six members? Will we be permitted to be seated together
in a group larger than six people?
A: No. Group seating is limited to six or fewer guests. Groups greater than six people could be divided into
smaller groups consisting of six or less individuals. The groups should expect to maintain a social distance
of at least six feet between groups while in the restaurant.
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 3 of 5
RQ15: If my racetrack/speedway includes a concession stand where food is prepared and served, may
I open the concession stand to serve food even though I am not permitted to reopen the speedway or
racetrack to permit spectators to attend an event in person.
A: Yes, the concession stand would be permitted to open for service to attending race drivers and race
crew members providing appropriate social distancing measures and guidance are implemented.
General public customers could be served as long as entry into the event is not required, and proper social
distancing measures and guidance are followed. If practical, general public service may be limited to
curbside carry-out at the speedway or race track location, or delivery.
RQ16: If I own or operate a licensed juice or health drink bar within a gymnasium, fitness center, or
health spa, can I reopen this space to serve customers?
A: Yes, however, the juice/health drink bar area would be included within the proclamation, which limits
the number of customers to 50 percent of the maximum legal occupancy capacity of the gym, fitness
center, or health spa. Appropriate social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures must be
implemented.
RQ17: May I offer preset tables, which may include tableware, utensils, cups/glasses, table tents,
menus, salt/pepper shakers, napkin dispensers, condiments (e.g., ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce),
or other similar items?
A: We strongly discourage offering preset tables. As an alternative, you should consider offering prewrapped single-use tableware, single-service condiments (e.g., packets of salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard,
mayo) or other single-use items (e.g., napkins) upon customer request or delivery of the meal to the dining
table/booth. If offered for use, multiple-use tableware or glassware should be placed at the table/booth
as guests are seated and must be cleaned and sanitized between each customer.
RQ18: Can a restaurant allow dining customers to remain on premises and order additional beverages,
including alcoholic beverages, after the completion of their meal?
A: While it may be common practice for diners to socialize after the meal, we advise restaurants to closely
monitor this practice, establish limits, and inform customers of limitations.
RQ19: Are restaurants allowed to serve customers that are only ordering alcoholic beverages?
A: The governor’s proclamation allows restaurants to resume on-premises dining. If customers are only
ordering alcoholic beverages, they are not dining. We strongly advise restaurants to only service alcoholic
beverages to customers who are ordering and consuming food.
RQ20: Can a restaurant utilize seating at the bar to serve customers food?
A: To the extent possible, seating at bars within restaurants should be eliminated. When determining if
seating at the bar will be allowed, social distancing between customers and employees must be
considered.
RQ21: Can a restaurant be open for on-premise dining during hours when food is not offered? For
example, if the kitchen hours are from 4-9 p.m., can the restaurant be open to the public for beverage
service until 11 p.m.?
A: No, once food can no longer be ordered or consumed on premise, a restaurant, for the purposes of the
proclamation, meets the definition of a bar and must be closed to the public. They can continue to offer
carry-out or delivery for beverages but are not allowed to be open to the public.
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 4 of 5
RQ22: What type of disinfectants can be used for tables, chairs, and other non-food contact surfaces
following customer use?
A: Prior to disinfecting surfaces, these surfaces should first be cleaned (i.e., removal of germs, dirt, and
impurities from surfaces). Cleaning does not kill germs, but removing them from surfaces lowers their
numbers and the risk of spreading infection. An EPA-registered disinfectant effective for use against SARSCoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19) is recommended. The EPA’s list of disinfectants for use against
SARS-CoV-2 can be found online: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2. EPA-registered disinfectants
must be appropriate for the surface to which it is being applied, and must be applied in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions on the label.
RQ23: How frequently should I disinfect commonly touched surfaces in my facility used both by
customers and employees (i.e. door handles, credit card machines, bathrooms, and etc.)?
A: The FDA and CDC both recommend cleaning frequently-touched surfaces as often as possible. The
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and Iowa Department of Public Health, to the extent
practical, strongly recommend disinfecting commonly-touched surfaces at a minimum of at least hourly;
however, if practical, it may be necessary to disinfect such surfaces more frequently.
RQ24: If I need to post signage on the entrance of my food establishment restricting customer access
due to a consumer customer exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, are there specific requirements for the
signage (i.e., the size of sign or text on sign, and information or content printed on the sign)?
A: There are no requirements regarding size, format, size of text, or content of signage; however, each
establishment operator is strongly encouraged to consider the following when posting signage for
customers: (1) Signage should be placed where it can be easily be seen by customers; (2) signage should
be large enough for customers to identify and read the posted content (3) text should be appropriately
sized and be legibly typed or printed for the customer to read; (4) signage in multiple languages should
be considered, if necessary; and (5) signage should include information about particular COVID-19
symptoms. The CDC has identified the following symptoms to watch for on their website: fever, cough,
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache,
sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. Please check the CDC’s website for symptoms of coronavirus.
RQ25: Are my restaurant employees or customers required to wear masks?
A: No there are no issued mandates for employees and/or customers to wear protective face masks or
other personal protective equipment (PPE). Each establishment operator should consider enforcing their
own mitigation practices and/or strategies to protect their employees and customers from the spread of
COVID-19. Such mitigation strategies may include the wearing of a protective face mask, face shield, or
other applicable PPE. Employees with direct customer contact would be of greatest concern. Disposable
mask are recommended. However, if cloth masks are worn they should be changed as frequently as
necessary, or at least laundered and replaced daily. FDA has issued guidance related to employees in retail
food and food production settings wearing face coverings to prevent exposure to COVID-19 (posted April
4, 2020). The FDA’s guidance regarding this practice can be accessed online: Food Safety and the
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
COVID-19: Frequently-Asked Questions for Reopening Restaurants Page 5 of 5
RQ26: Is my restaurant permitted to use reusable menus?
A: It is strongly recommended to discourage the use of reusable menus. If used, each reusable menu
should be disinfected between each customer with an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against the
COVID-19 virus. It is recommended instead to use single-use paper menus, and to discard them after each
use. Alternatives such as stationary menu boards, electronic menus, or mobile device downloadable
menus should be considered.
RQ27: Can individual packages of condiments such a ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, hot sauce,
barbeque sauce, dipping sauces, salt, and pepper be served to a consumer be reused if they are
unopened or unused?
A: It is strongly recommended once served to a customer, unopened or unused individual condiment
packages not be served to new customers.

Special alert for VA, SSI recipients who don’t file a tax return and have dependents

VA, SSI recipients with eligible children need to act by May 5 to quickly add money to their automatic Economic Impact Payment; ‘Plus $500 Push’ continues

IR-2020-81, April 24, 2020

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today issued a special alert for Supplemental Security Income and Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries to act by May 5 if they didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and have dependents so they can quickly receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payment.

Their $1,200 payments will be issued soon and, in order to add the $500 per eligible child amount to these payments, the IRS needs the dependent information before the payments are issued. Otherwise, their payment at this time will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount will be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

“We want to ‘Plus $500’ these groups so they can get their maximum Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 and their $500 for each eligible child as quickly as possible,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “They’ll get $1,200 automatically, but they need to act quickly and use the Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov to get the extra $500 per child added to their payment. Everyone should share this information widely and help others with the Plus $500 Push, so that more Americans get more money as fast as possible.”

Following extensive work by the IRS and partner government agencies, $1,200 automatic payments will be starting soon for those receiving Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return in the last two years. No action is needed by these groups; they will automatically receive their $1,200 payment.

For VA and SSI recipients who have a qualifying child and didn’t file a 2018 or 2019 tax return, they have a limited window to register to have $500 per eligible child added automatically to their soon-to-be-received $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. A quick trip to a special Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov by May 5 for these groups may help put all of their eligible Economic Income Payment into a single payment. The Non-Filers tool is available in English and Spanish.

To help spread the word to recipients with children about this special “Plus $500 Push,” the IRS has additional material available on a special partners page that can be shared with friends, family members and community groups.

SSI and VA recipients: Have a child but don’t file a tax return? Visit IRS.gov now

SSI and VA recipients who have children and who weren’t required file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 should visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on IRS.gov. By quickly taking steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they can receive the $500 per dependent child payment automatically in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. Otherwise, their payment at this time will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

SSI and VA recipients who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments should receive their automatic payments by mid-May. If they have children and aren’t required to file a tax return, both groups are urged to use the Non-Filers tool as soon as possible before the May 5 deadline. Once the deadline passes and processing begins on the $1,200 payment, they will not be eligible to use the Non-Filers tool to add eligible children. Their payment will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

SSA / Railroad Retirees: Economic Impact Payments arriving next week

For recipients of Social Security retirement, survivors or disability insurance benefits (SSDI) and Railroad Retirement benefits (RRB), automatic payments of $1,200 are scheduled to begin arriving next week. No action is needed on their part. This includes people who don’t normally file a tax return.

For Social Security / RRB beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return, have a child and registered using the IRS Non-Filers tool by the April 22 deadline, more payments are scheduled to begin arriving next week as well.

For SSA/RRB beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return and have a child but did not register on the IRS Non-Filers tool by April 22, they will still receive their automatic $1,200 beginning next week. Given the deadline has passed, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with filing a tax return for 2020. This group can no longer use the Non-Filers tool to add eligible children.

Note – Direct Express Account Holders: You may use the Non-Filers tool, but you cannot receive your and your children’s payment on your Direct Express account. You may only select a bank account for direct deposit or leave bank information blank and receive the money by mail.

No action needed by most taxpayers

The Treasury Department will make these automatic payments to SSA, SSI, RRB and VA recipients. Recipients will generally receive the automatic $1,200 payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.

For more information related to veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments from VA, please visit VA.gov.

General IRS information about the Economic Impact Payments is available on a special section of IRS.gov.

Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments

The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. There is no fee required to receive these payments.

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Root River Trail Towns cancels annual 60-Mile Garage Sale

Root River Trail Towns was planning its sixth consecutive 60-Mile Garage Sale on June 19-20, but concerns due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus have forced its cancellation. The garage sales usually take place in the nine towns along the Root River State Trail, as well as locations in between.

Trail Towns President, Gabby Kinneberg, said, “The 60-Mile Garage Sale has brought in visitors and garage sale enthusiasts from across Minnesota and surrounding states the past several years. We’ve seen its popularity increase each year. Unfortunately, with the projections for continued COVID-19 transmission and the need to continue physical distancing, we feel it best to cancel the event this year. We hope the 60-Mile Garage Sale in June 2021 can be even bigger as more area residents and organizations join in by having a sale.”

Root River Trail Towns is a non-profit agency led by volunteer representatives of each town that work together to promote the Root River State Bike Trail System as a regional destination, and to link people to an outdoor experience while fostering community connections. For more information, visit www.rootrivertrail.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

City of Decorah Offering Loading of Compost and Wood Chips on 5/2 and 5/9

Decorah, IA (April 28, 2020) – The City of Decorah will be offering loading of free compost and wood chips at the City’s Yard Waste Disposal Site located on Trout Run Road. The City will have an end loader at the Yard Waste Site on Saturday, May 2^nd, and Saturday, May 9^th, from 8 AM to 12 PM to load compost or wood chips. The giveaway is available to residents and non-residents of the City of Decorah.

In an effort to maintain social distancing, residents should not leave their vehicles or approach the loader operator or other vehicles. The piles of wood chips and compost will be labeled with signs. Residents should drive their vehicles to the appropriate pile and wait to be loaded. Any communication with the loader operator should be done through the vehicle window.

Please contact the Street Department at 382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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Black Hills Energy Hires Pete Hamell as Director of Operations
Grimes, Ia.– April 28, 2020 – Black Hills Energy is proud to announce Pete Hamell as the new director of
operations. In this position, Hamell will provide overall leadership, management and direction for the Black Hills
Energy Iowa Gas field operations team.
Hamell was raised on a farm near Gowrie, Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration –
Finance degree from Iowa State University. He previously worked for Ingram Barge and BNSF Railway with
extensive leadership experience in operations, logistics and customer service in railway and transportation
industries.
“Pete’s proven success as a leader of people, combined with a focus on safety and customer service will allow him
to serve our company and customers well,” said Shirley Welte, Black Hills Energy Vice President of Gas
Operations.
Pete and his family are relocating from the greater Nashville, Tennessee area.
About Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of
improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the
company serves 1.28 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa,
Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at
www.blackhillscorp.com and www.blackhillsenergy.com.
—
Media Contact: Digital Media:
Nicole Breitbach www.blackhillsenergy.com
563-235-7854
nicole.breitbach@blackhillscorp.com
24-Hour Media Support:
888-242-3969

Support local healthcare heroes during national day of giving on May 5

As the life-threatening COVID-19 pandemic reaches our communities, the need for support has never been greater.

#GivingTuesdayNow on May 5, 2020, is a new day of giving to meet the unprecedented needs caused by COVID-19.

You can join the global effort by supporting small businesses, connecting with those isolated due to the pandemic or supporting the healthcare heroes in your community with a gift to Gundersen Medical Foundation.

Generous donations to Gundersen Medical Foundation support our frontline workers caring for your community by:

• Equipping them with protective equipment and supplies to provide safe care to patients
• Assisting them with critical resources and support during the crisis
• Advancing cutting-edge medical research on COVID-19 conducted in Gundersen Medical Foundation research labs
• Providing meals and coffee

Gundersen Medical Foundation is partnering with the La Crosse Media Group for a Radiothon on May 5 to support COVID-19 response efforts. Tune in to hear from local frontline healthcare heroes and learn more on how to give.

April 27, 2020

For Immediate Release

Re: Winneshiek County Development Secures Funding To Support Winneshiek County COVID19 Programs

Contact:

Stephanie Fromm, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism

563-382-6061

director@winneshiekdevelopment.org

Winneshiek County Development and Tourism (WCDT) recently helped Winneshiek County secure $11,040 through an Iowa Economic Development Authority Community Development Block Grant. The funding will be used to support innovative COVID-19 programs in Winneshiek County.

Stephanie Fromm, Executive Director for Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, stated “The funding was made available at a time when many of us were struggling to figure out what our communities, businesses, and residents would need to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. We wanted to maximize the structures, resources and programs our agencies and organizations already had while filling in the gaps that no one could have imagined would occur during a pandemic.”

WCDT Project Coordinator Lora Friest, who put the proposal together, noted that the proposal requested funding for equipment and new programs. “At first we thought we were going to be able to secure $45,000 in funding for COVID-19 testing equipment for our hospital and another $5,500 for communications equipment for our emergency personnel. That was everyone’s first priority. But, after the federal stimulus included millions for equipment through Homeland Security, the grant funder, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, decided equipment was no longer eligible. They ultimately limited the grant award to new programs designed to help communities deal with the COVID-19 crisis. While we weren’t able to get the funding we wanted for equipment, we were able to secure funding for two new initiatives that will help residents throughout the county.” Fromm noted that when the equipment was declared ineligible under the Economic Development grant award guidelines she began working with Sean Snyder, the Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator, who was simultaneously drafting a request to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management for COVID-19 testing equipment. Fromm contacted federal legislators to secure letters of support to go with the request Mr. Snyder was submitting. “Mr. Snyder mentioned that the request to Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which has a regional focus, is a longshot so we wanted to help him demonstrate federal support.”

Through the grant, Northeast Iowa Community Action will receive $7,040 to implement a new food delivery program to rural residents. The program will help community members, especially elderly, at-risk, rural community members who used to come to town to eat meals at senior centers in Decorah and Calmar. Friest stated “Due to the pandemic, the senior centers just can’t serve food anymore. Although Meals on Wheels, whose services have been increasing daily, is doing a phenomenal job getting food to people in our towns, we realized there are alot of rural residents that weren’t being reached. Northeast Iowa Community Action offered the use of their EARL public transit vans to deliver food to those at-risk rural residents. Because of the pandemic, they are not able to use them to transport people so they were available for this temporary use.” An estimated two thirds of the people who were previously served at Congregate Meal Sites live in rural areas of the county. Trisha Wilkins, Executive Director of Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation noted “NEICAC wanted to be responsive to our community needs during this crisis and is grateful for the resources that allow for our EARL Transit to provide food delivery in Winneshiek County. We intend to help those who need it most in addition to doing our part to encourage everyone to stay home.” Fromm mentioned that the program meets multiple goals stating “It uses existing transportation vehicles, employs drivers, and helps us keep rural residents safe and healthy.”

The other $4,000 of grant funds will be used to maximize community volunteerism through the Decorah and Winneshiek County Mutual Aid Network. The Network is a new online and phone call platform set up to help residents connect during the COVID-19 crisis. People can find information about where they can get help and how they can help others during this difficult time, including information about community services, which businesses will deliver food, local job openings, who has financial assistance available for community members, businesses, and others. Fromm noted that WCDT worked with Decorah Now and the Decorah Faith Coalition, with support from the Winneshiek Board of Supervisors, to get the Network started but that the need for the Network has extended longer than expected. “At the beginning, when we helped develop the Mutual Aid Network, I don’t think any of us thought that the crisis would go on so long. The funding will help us keep the part-time Administrator of the Network for a few more months until we get through this crisis.” Fromm added that the response to the new Network has been overwhelming and additional funds will also help expand volunteer coordination and social media management saying “New information that needs to be distributed to the public from many different sources is coming in daily and over a hundred volunteers are helping with various efforts.