‘A deserving recipient’
Reeck receives Growth Alliance's Catalyst Award; City staffer has had leading role in many projects
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla <BR> Vickie Reeck, of Fort Dodge, gives her granddaughter Byntlee Kuebler, 2, of Fort Dodge, and niece Allison Drew, of Fort Dodge, a hug after receiving the Catalyst Award at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner on Thursday night at Fort Frenzy.
-Messenger photo of Fort Dodge <BR> Tina Hindman, of Fort Dodge, gives a standing ovation to this year's Catalyst Award winner, Vickie Reeck, during the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner Thursday evening at Fort Frenzy.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla <BR> Dawn Larson, of Fort Dodge, tears up after finding out that her friend and co-worker, Vickie Reeck, received the Catalyst Award at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner on Thursday inside Fort Frenzy.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla <BR> Vickie Reeck, of Fort Dodge, gives her granddaughter Byntlee Kuebler, 2, of Fort Dodge, and niece Allison Drew, of Fort Dodge, a hug after receiving the Catalyst Award at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner on Thursday night at Fort Frenzy.
-Messenger photo of Fort Dodge <BR> Tina Hindman, of Fort Dodge, gives a standing ovation to this year's Catalyst Award winner, Vickie Reeck, during the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner Thursday evening at Fort Frenzy.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla <BR> Dawn Larson, of Fort Dodge, tears up after finding out that her friend and co-worker, Vickie Reeck, received the Catalyst Award at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Annual Dinner on Thursday inside Fort Frenzy.
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Vickie Reeck, a Fort Dodge city staffer who has had a leading role in just about every economic development and housing project in the community over the last 20 years, was honored Thursday evening with the top award presented by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
Reeck, the city's community and economic development manager, received the Catalyst Award at the Growth Alliance's annual dinner.
After being handed the hefty sculpture that is the Catalyst Award, Reeck spoke very briefly and softly saying, "Thank you so much. I appreciate it."
Reeck has worked for the city for more than 35 years in various roles related to planning and development.
Kelly Hindman, the vice president of the Growth Alliance board who presented the award, said Reeck's work is "often behind the scenes as she negotiates development agreements, works on property acquisitions and dispositions, prepares financial pro-formas, and calculates incentives packages."
Hindman said Reeck has been a key leader in these high profile projects:
• Decker Development Park.
• Williams Bend housing area.
• Retaining Elanco in the community.
• Redeveloping Phillips Middle School.
• Crosstown Connector.
• Corridor Plaza.
• Parkview housing area.
• Northwest River District.
• Lincoln neighborhood redevelopment.
Nestle Purina PetCare plant expansion.
"Additionally, she is known across the state for her expertise with brownfield sites and environmental cleanup, even speaking at EPA conferences about her brownfield cleanup expertise," Hindman said. "Over the years, she has secured over a million dollars in state and federal brownfield grants and services, which has been instrumental in the redevelopment of many areas of our community."
Reeck's service to the community is not limited to her professional role. Hindman said she is active in these other capacities:
• Main Street Fort Dodge volunteer.
• Meals on Wheels volunteer.
• Community cleanup volunteer.
• Facing Autism annual Autism Awareness Walk volunteer and participant.
• MIDAS Council of Governments board member.
• Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation board member.
• Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Housing Committee member.
"What a deserving recipient," Hindman said.