Branstad Visits Cargill Complex
Governor Branstad and Lt Governor Reynolds listen to local leaders about how to help grow the regions economy at an August 2 meeting in Eddyville.
Eddyville, Iowa – Taking the time to re-evaluate and show what they have accomplished in 25 years, and once again letting everyone know what they have to offer and what they can become even yet is part of a reason why the Indian Hills Regional Development hosted Governor Branstad at the Cargill Complex in Eddyville today.
A delegation including Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Department of Economic Development Director Debi Durham accompanied Governor Branstad on his return trip to Eddyville.
Twenty-five years ago, Governor Branstad helped to break ground on the Cargill Complex, and today, he returned to see what that simple beginning has turned into.
Many local businesses that make up the complex and local government agencies have all been a part of selling our area of the state; not only to people such as the Governor, but also to the Federal level to help bring updated roads and transportation systems to the area and attract new ones.. The Highway 63 project, and the regional airport have been two such ongoing projects that will connect and help grow business, like those located in Eddyville.
Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock started the meeting August 2, that helped showcase the Iowa BioProcessing Center to the Governor and Lt. Governor
Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock, who helped kick off the days gathering, told Osky News about the importance of the meeting to Oskaloosa. “For Oskaloosa, Cargill, this complex, Ajinomoto. It’s big for us in a sense of employment, and the people that it employes often times live in Oskaloosa, Ottumwa or Eddyville. So anything with a regional impact like that has significant importance to us as a community. What we’re trying to do today, meet with the Governors Office, director of economic development, and talk to them about some of the important issues for this complex.”
Schrock went on to say that along with the presentations, they were going to engage in 1 on 1 discussions and give the Governor and his delegation a tour of the facility. “See what they think, if they can help us with some opportunities.”
“I think that we need to be working together as a region, and that’s what we’re doing here with Indian Hills Regional Development, and I feel very strongly that this is the way we’re going to progress, by working together and working on projects like infrastructure and Highway 63 coalition,” stated Dale Uehling, Mayor of Ottumwa.
Left to Right: Governor Branstad, Debi Durham, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Cargill Facility Manager Kaye DeLange inspect various products made from ingredients produced at the facility.
Chuck Crabtree, Director of Iowa BioDevelopment at Indian Hills Community College, stated, “The purpose of today’s visit is to showcase the Iowa Bioprocessing Center and its global reach throughout the world”. Explaining further, Crabtree concluded with, “We want to highlight what we have in Eddyville and ask these key Iowa dignitaries to join us in bringing additional economic development opportunities to our immediate area.”
