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Three Creston businesses compete in Dream Big Grow Here contest
SWCC plans development for new dorms in 2014
By KYLE WILSON
By BAILEY POOLMAN
handful of Creston business owners are dreaming big this month. Upper Crust Culinary Creations, She-Nae’s Rescued and Renewed and Leslie’s Dance Emporium (Defy Gravity) — all of Creston — are participating in the Dream Big Grow Here grant contest for south-central Iowa. Voting began Monday. In this contest, the top five vote-getters at the end of the voting period (Oct. 21) in the south-central Iowa competition will be invited to compete in a pitchoff event — slated Nov. 12 at Lakeside Casino — for a chance at winning $5,000 toward their dream. The winner of the regional contest will then advance to a state competition slated for spring 2014 where w i n n e r s Pantini will have a chance to win an additional $10,000. “This is the second year for the competition,” said Wayne Pantini, Union County Development Association (UCDA) executive director. “We are excited to offer this opportunity for businesses in Union County to exploit their business ideas. This competition allows them to earn cash, as well as gain exposure for their business.” The south-central Iowa grant contest includes Decatur, Clarke, Lucas, Ringgold, Union and Wayne counties.
She-Nae’s Rescued and Renewed — 311 W. Montgomery St. in uptown Creston — currently ranks fifth overall with 98 votes. She-Nae’s is a home decor and garden store — owned by Sheila O’Riley and Rene Foster — that rescues pieces from the trash or landfill and gives them new purpose (repurpose) or updated finish (up-cycle).
Southwestern Community College is moving along with development plans to build a new dormitory on the Creston campus. “I think we’re going to like the end result,” said Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development. “We’re going to get what we want.” According to Lesan, the building will be home to 88 students, each with their own rooms, which will be apartmentstyle similar to Spartan Hall and Spartan Suites. “That would actually be part of the existing need of students that we know we lost this fall because there wasn’t housing available,” Lesan said. Plans to build the new dormitory were passed unanimously after an increase in enrolled students wanting to stay on campus. Total headcount has dropped from 1,666 to Lesan 1,573 since fall 2012, but the average age of students attending the college dropped also, from 22.2 to 21.7, resulting in more students requesting dormitory rooms. It is estimated to cost $6.2 million for the three-story building. The board was given a timeline for the project, beginning with schematic design in October, and ending with move-in in September 2014. Actual construction is estimated to take six months. “You’ll see a very aggressive timeline,” Lesan said. “I think we have some staff people who twisted the architect’s arm up behind their back and made them say we can be operational next fall. Some things will have to happen for that to work out.” Lesan said in order for construction to continue as the timeline presents, the winter will have to be mild, the board will have to make a decision quickly and construction will have to be ready as soon as spring hits. “I think that’s doable if we get the dirtwork done, and if we get the foundation
Please see DREAM BIG, Page 2
Please see SWCC, Page 2
CNA asst. managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
Contributed photos
She-Nae’s Rescued and Renewed, above, Upper Crust Culinary Creations and Leslie’s Dance Emporium (Defy Gravity) — all small businesses in Creston — are participating in the Dream Big Grow Here grant competition for south-central Iowa. Voting began Monday. To vote, visit www.dreambiggrowhere.com and click on vote.
Current Dream Big Grow Here voting rank
Upper Crust Culinary Creation owners Cynthia Wolfe and Christy Whited.
There are a total of 11 small south-central Iowa businesses competing in this year’s competition. (See current voting ranks, right)
Upper Crust
Upper Crust — a boutique bakery located in uptown Creston — currently ranks third overall with 174 votes. Upper Crust’s “dream” is to expand their business plan to offer frozen meals and desserts to go. The grant money would be used to replace a 1960s-style freezer — that currently has the door held closed with a ratchet strap — with two larger more energy-efficient freezers. “We feel there is a need
Business 1) Afton Fitness Center 2) Podium Ink 3) Upper Crust Culinary Creations 4) Play Posse 5) She-Nae’s 6) Speed Moto Company 7) Country Cabins 8) Sew and Sew 9) Alley Diesel Performance 10) Leslie’s Dance (Defy Gravity) 11) Showstock Planet
City Afton Mount Ayr Creston Mount Ayr Creston Lamoni Chariton Lamoni Corydon Creston Woodburn
Votes 423 380 174 163 98 73 50 46 32 21 1
• Voting is allowed once each day. Voting ends Oct. 21.
to provide healthier dinner options in today’s fast-paced economy,” said Christy Whited, co-owner of Upper Crust. “Our frozen meals to-go offer a quick, easy and healthier alternative — perfect for the time-starved family. Our made from scratch, wholesome dinners can be baking while you are reviewing homework, preparing for the following day or balancing the checkbook.” Also, Upper Crust would like to purchase a refrigerated display case that’s more suited to their needs compared to the generic jewelry
display case currently being used.
She-Nae’s
Setting braces for SWCC-built home:
CNA photos by JAKE WADDINGHAM
Left, Southwestern Community College students work at the construction site on South Elm Street this morning. The group’s first task was to set braces for the walls of the house. Above, Joe Beaman unloads equipment for another day of hands-on learning. Serving Southwest Iowa since 1879 Price 75¢
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Volume 130 No. 85 Copyright 2013
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Contents
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Thursday weather High 77 Low 54 Full weather report, 3A