When: Wednesday, May 11th 10:30-11:am

Where: Henry County Courthouse lawn

Who: The event is free &

open to the public Keynote address from Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds

Color Guard Salute Light hors d'oeuvres Testimonial from a local veteran

Cake

Designation Ceremony

FEAT

UR

EDIN

VEST

OR

- Triple B & Pit Row Car & Bike Show- Main Street Iowa Anniversary

- New Members & Ribbon Cutting

- Upcoming Events

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MOUNT PLEASANT

Newsline May 2016Area Chamber Alliance

www.mountpleasantiowa.orgfeatures Todd Mabeus of Mt. Pleasant Electric working at a residential construction site in Mount Pleasant. Photo by Amy Becker Photography.

this month's cover photo....

Yes, New Workforce Housing CanBe Profitable in Henry County

I realize most people reading this are not in the business of developing residential property or property management. Still, I think its worth getting the word out about available incentives designed to stimulate development... you know, just in case.

First, you should know that multi-family dwellings with three units or more receive 100% local property tax abatement for 10 years in several Henry County communities. Imagine ten years of no property taxes where you currently live! That is significant savings that can boost return on investment or developers, or perhaps provide a bit of wiggle room on rent prices to attract tenants. Beyond that, by the time property tax kicks in, you'd be paying residential rates, as opposed to the commercial tax rates that applied prior to the Iowa's Commercial Property Tax Reform Act of 2013.

By 2021, the graduated change means that the "rollback" will bring the taxable value to 63.75% of the assessed property value, when it had been treated as commercial and taxed at 100% of assessed value.

Second, the State of Iowa's Workforce Housing Tax Incentives Program stimulates residential development for middle-class households. Eligible projects can earn rebates on construction costs- up to 10% of the first $150,000 per unit (i.e. $15,000). Additionally, developers can receive a refund of the state sales tax spent on construction, which adds up quickly.

Market rental rates alone make it challenging to see a return in in residential development. However, when you plug in the property tax abatement and Workforce Housing incentives, your pro forma analysis starts to look much better.

Lots of programs exist to provide financial assistance to developers and home-owners, each with specific criteria and requirements. Our housing needs analysis shows significant demand for new housing units, and we certainly need more housing in order to keep pace with job growth. Interested? Let's talk!

Travis Kraus, EVP

DEMAND FOR HOUSING IS HIGH IN HENRY COUNTY

Local, state and federal programs provide

assistance to developers and home-owners.

www.ncibuildingsystems.comwww.hchc.org www.olsonpowell.com

www.moutrie.netwww.homefurnituremp.com www.wlfoods.com

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS AND VOLUNTEERS HONORED

30th Anniversary for Main Street IAThe annual Main Street Iowa Awards were held on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (Iowa Events Center) in downtown Des Moines.

In recognition of this important milestone the event recognized local Main Street projects, activities and volunteers. The ceremony was attended by more than 500 individuals representing communities across the state. Competitive nominations were submitted for 66 projects and activities within the three categories of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Game Changer. Nine projects received winner recognition in these three categories.

Mount Pleasant received one of three Game Changer

awards for their efforts in creating upper story housing in the Main Street district.

Over the past 14 years, Main Street Mount Pleasant partnered with the City of Mount Pleasant and Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to secure $4,250,000 in grants from six different rounds of funding to create 54 new upper story housing units. With $121,000 in incentives from the City of Mount Pleasant we have seen over $8,500,000 spent on creating upper story housing.

Brent Schleisman, Mount Pleasant City Administrator, was honored with a Leadership Award for all the work and support he has given to Main Street Mount Pleasant over the past 14 years.

Mount PleasantChamber Members: Please join us for this month's Alive After Five Networking Event!Promote your business by networking with other Chamber businesses, all while enjoying food, refreshments, and giveaways!

Hosted by: Anytime Fitness700 North Grand Ave, Suite 102Mount Pleasant, IA 52641

319.385.2033

When: Wednesday,May 4th | 5-7pm

www.teamssi.com www.contitech.us www.walmart.com

Lisa Oetken Executive Main Street Director

You are invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Triple B...Bacon, Brews and BBQ festival and the 2nd Annual Pit Row Car & Bike Show, June 11th 2016 at McMillan Park in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

This charity festival is a celebration of everything that makes summer enjoyable: scrumptious food, cold drinks, cars, bikes, music and fun people. PLUS Bacon, Brews & BBQ are the trifecta of foods!

When: Saturday , June 11th, 2016 at 11:00amWhere: McMillian Park, Mount Pleasant

Sign me up: Interested in entering the BBQ or bacon contest? To reserve your space for the 2016 Triple B and Pit Row Car & Bike Show, contact Lisa Oetken at 319.385.3101 or by email at loetken@mountpleasantiowa.

Wagler Manufacturing is a second generation family owned and operated business. They specialize in wood, plastic, and metal trophy & award components.

605 N. ParkwayWayland, IA 52654 319.256.9663www.waglerwood.com

Duckett Upscale Clothing & More offers new and used women's clothing, jewelry, shoes, formal wear and more! Check often for new arrivals and great deals!

106 S. Main St319.385.1410Mon-Fri 10 to 6 | Sat 10-5

The Brazelton Lofts offer luxury living with modern kitchens, state-of-the art bathrooms and washer/dryer units. Rental rates start at $619.00. Now Leasing!

100 N Main St.319.826.6532hwww.hobarthistoricrestoration.com Duckett Upscale Clothing & More

www.tworiversbank.com www.kilj.com

www.hy-vee.comwww.kimzeyfh.com

www.c1stcreditunion.com

www.shottenkirktruckstop.com

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS AND VOLUNTEERS HONORED

30th Anniversary for Main Street IA

Do you track your web traffic with Google Analytics? Our first 30 days of our new website show awesome results!

www.mountpleasantiowa.orgü 1,141 sessionsü 943 unique usersü 3,383 page viewsü Average session: 2:16 minutesü Average pages/visit: 2.96ü Largest age group: 25-34ü 63.1% are female visitorsü Top 3 visited pages:

- Homepage- Events Calendar- Business Directory

Tracking web stats is a great way to learn more about your customers and clients!

www.tdtpc.comwww.hearthnhome.com www.irisdentalcare.com

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, June 1st Alive After Five hosted by Northeast Animal Hospital, 5:00pm. Saturday, June 11thTriple B (Bacon, Brews & BBQ) & Pit Row Car & Bike Show, 11:00am - sign up as a food vendor before May 6th. Friday, June 17th Ag. Rock Around the Block featuring Amarillo, Premier sponsor: Henry County Farm Bureau, 6:00pm.

Friday, July 22ndRock Around the Block featuring Final Mix, Premier sponsor: Orthodontic Associates of Iowa, 6:00pm.

Friday, August 26thRock Around the Block featuring Andrew Terrell & The Beaker Brothers, Premier sponsor: IWU, 6:00pm.

Tuesday, May 3rdChamber Chat on Updating your Google Profile at Access Energy, 8:00am. Wednesday, May 4th Alive After Five hosted by Anytime Fitness, 5:00pm.

Wednesday, May 11th Home Base Iowa Dedication Ceremony, located on the Henry County Courthouse lawn, 10:30am. Monday, May 23rdSmall Business Counseling Office Hours with Janine Clover at MPACA Office, 11:00am.

Thursday, May 26thAMP Lunch & Learn at Access Energy on "Effective Meetings," 12:00pm.

Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance124 South Main StreetMount Pleasant, IA 52641office: 319.385.3101www.mountpleasantiowa.org

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Alliance:Chamber of CommerceArea Development CommissionMain Street Mount Pleasant