ROCKWELL CITY – Riley Bleam is the new executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corp. (CCEDC), the county recently announced.

Bleam, who will focus on economic development, tourism and historic preservation, grew up in in Rockwell City and is raising her family on a farm near Manson.

“As a resident of Calhoun County, I look forward to being a resource for our communities, existing businesses and prospective businesses and industries,” said Bleam, who started her new role on June 21.

For the past eight years, Bleam has worked in various positions within higher education, including economic development assistant director for Iowa Central.

“I am excited to bring the knowledge from my position with the college to Calhoun County to assist local businesses and industries and help them grow,” said Bleam, who also has a background in marketing and experience working for an abstract company.

Bleam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista University and a Master’s in Science from Fort Hays State University. Bleam replaced Jill Heisterkamp, who resigned in June to pursue other job opportunities.

New economic development opportunities are taking shape in Calhoun County. A June 3 groundbreaking ceremony, marked the beginning of construction on a new 115-acre business park being developed at the intersection of four-lane U.S. Highway 20 and Highway 4, just north of Rockwell City. This is the first business park to be located in Calhoun County. It’s also one of the first to be built along rural Highway 20 since the four-lane highway expansion project was completed in 2018.

“We’re excited to welcome Riley to the CCEDC as our new executive director,” said Keaton Hildreth, president of the CCEDC board and chief executive officer of the Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association. Riley will be a great asset to the county and its communities as she builds on the momentum created within our organization during the past several years. When you see her out and about in the community, I encourage you to introduce yourself and share your thoughts and ideas with her.”