Conservation Director Brian Ries said Little Clear Lake Park, just southeast of Albert City, recently completed a three-year effort to provide for the needs of modern campers. In 2021, the project included a new playground complex, kayak launch area, and landscaping around the bathrooms and kayak launch area. Ries said he hopes they are able to continue to expand the campgrounds.

The county partnered with the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce on an alumni project that will bring together all the alumni of the schools across the county.

“The Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors partnered with the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce to execute an exciting alumni project through the Rural Return Grant, which is part of the governor’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative,” said Parker Aden, executive director of the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce. “The grant allows a county-wide alumni registry to be built, enabling us to maintain contact information for alumni that graduated through the various past and present school districts in Pocahontas County.”

Aden said, once established, this registry will be used to keep alumni informed of news and announcements.

“The Chamber will be providing free loyalty memberships to each individual and family that moves back through the registry for their first year,” Aden said. “Membership with the Chamber enables us to stay connected with the new residents, help them find local resources, and help them stay informed of their opportunities in the community.”

Another program that was launched was the Jump-Start Accelerator Grant Program. The Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission (PCEDC) started the program to assist new businesses in gaining capital to open their doors and thrive within Pocahontas County.

Emily Williams, of the Development Commission, said, “So far, the program has supported the opening or expansion of six businesses which have contributed greatly to the quality of life for our region. The businesses who have received grants consist of a new cafe and coffee shop, the ownership transition of a travel agency, a small “you pick” berry farm that attracts people from all over northwest Iowa, a brand new tavern with a golf simulator, a new med spa business offering the latest technologies in skin care, and a new retail store offering Christian books and craft events.”

Willams said this program has led to business growth and job creation as well as spurred several remodel and improvement projects to Main Street buildings.

The Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors stayed busy through the year with many projects.

The supervisors and Pocahontas County Sheriff Steve Nelson met with John Hansen of Midwest Construction Consultants (MCC) to discuss the current jail facility. They accepted a proposal from Midwest Construction Consultants for an assessment of the county’s future needs as well as a feasibility study for the possible construction of a new jail.

The supervisors also partnered with the Iowa Nutrient Research Education Council to identify suitable sites for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs wetlands. The supervisors contracted Bolton and Menk Engineering, which has identified six possible locations.

Supervisor Jeff Ives said, “The sites would represent around 100 acres of wetland and 250 acres of easement. If all of the sites are built, water quality would be improved by the removal of 100,000 pounds of nitrate annually.”

When the Heartland Greenway System liquid carbon dioxide pipeline announced intentions to construct through the western and southern portion of Pocahontas County, the Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution with the intent to protect the investment that landowners have made in agriculture drainage, both district owned and privately owned systems.

“The resolution contains specifications as to how tile systems are to be repaired should they be damaged by construction, as well as how deep the pipeline should be constructed to avoid interference with any future drainage projects. There are further specifications included in our resolution to protect our taxpayer’s investment in our county road systems,” Ives said.

The county also is working toward making Emergency Medical Services an essential service for the county. “We have many citizens of our county involved in an effort to utilize the recent change to state law, which will allow a countywide plan for EMS,” said Ives.

The process would include establishing a countywide plan for EMS, including such things as maintaining services across the entire county, estimating funding needed to maintain those services, and forming an advisory council that will be in charge of oversight of the plan and distribution of funds. Once the plan has been established and funding identified, the entire project will be sent to the supervisors to be adopted as a resolution and ultimately sent to the citizens of the county for vote.