Reviewing the first decade of the Millennium
School and medical additions among key changes to countyBy Michael Tidemann - Staff Writer
While the nation struggled with two wars and a declining economy toward the end of the decade, Emmet County saw continued improvements, both in the public and public sectors.
Not that the county was immune from the unemployment woes that hit the rest of the nation - in fact Emmet County at 10 percent unemployment exceeded the national average - however, the impact of the national recession did not seem nearly as severe as the farm crisis and Morrell's closing of the mid-1980s.
The reason, according to area economic developers, is that Estherville has diversified from the monoeconomy of the John Morrell Days. One of the most visible changes since then, of course, was the final demolition of the remaining buildings at the Morrell's site and construction of a new building for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.
Another big community investment - and one that has been recognized nationally as an example of intergovernmental cooperation - was the Regional Wellness Center.
Avera Holy Family Health underwent a massive expansion throughout the decade, upgrading its technology and providing state-of-the-art healthcare for area residents.
Another big change in healthcare occurred in Armstrong where Valley Vue Care Center opened its new independent and assisted living facility, Spring Creek.
Armstrong-Ringsted Consolidated School District also built a new wing on the northwest corner of the school for the junior high. The new facility includes a gym and the school continues technology and energy efficiency upgrades which makes the school a model facility for a school district of any size. There were also significant improvements the elementary school in Ringsted this past summer.
Estherville Lincoln Central, meanwhile, underwent a massive transformation of its facilities when voters approved a new middle school plus upgrades to other facilities. Final touches on the school have been completed, and Phase II construction is in the future.
The new Emmet County Nature Center is a drawing card for visitors to Wolden Campground and the Ingham-High Lake complex. The nature center hosts many programs and camping at county campgrounds is up as well as at Fort Defiance State Park.
Armstrong built a new aquatic center, raising $300,000 in a community of 900 residents in 10 months, proving that the community was willing to invest in its youth.
Armstrong youth showed their thanks by winning the state eight-man football title after taking the runner-up trophy the previous two years.
Emmet County proved that it knew how to host a celebration too, with ever-increasing numbers every year at the Fourth of July parade in Armstrong and the flight breakfast at the Estherville Municipal Airport. Other events growing in popularity are Tuttle Lake Day, Sweet Corn Days in Estherville and Pioneer Day and Christmas on the Farm at Peterson Point. The Black Knights Car Club, which includes some original member of the club which first formed in 1955, has drawn big crowds to the Sweet Cars Show during Sweet Corn Days as well as the airport drags. The annual Relay for Life in Library Square in Estherville is proving to be a truly countywide event which has drawn national recognition.
Iowa Lakes Community College has benefitted from its prophetic vision of the renewable energy industry. The wind energy and turbine technology program has grown multifold since it started just a few years ago and is now regarded as the best of its kind in the nation.
Emmet County voters also gave a resounding yes to community development by approving an extra 1-cent city sales tax for community development.
While Emmet County does face the same economic challenges as the rest of the nation, the county has created an infrastructure of public and private projects that will help sustain it into the next decade.
When the economy does improve, Emmet County will be poised for not only progress, but incredible success.
