PCDC receives the Silver Shovel Award

Polk City, Iowa – Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) and its member electric and telephone systems honored Polk City Development Corporation with the Silver Shovel Award on May 24th at the development group’s annual meeting held at the Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City.  IADG is the business and community development leader for Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, member municipal electric systems and the independent telephone companies across the state.

The Silver Shovel Award recognition was established to help commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Iowa Area Development Group and its economic development mission.  Polk City Development Corporation was nominated for the award by Midland Power Cooperative.

The Silver Shovel Award honors outstanding leadership, innovation and achievement in business and community development and collaboration with IADG and its utility partners.   In presenting the award Mr. Bruce Hansen, IADG Vice President, Marketing highlighted numerous accomplishments of the organization including regional and local leadership by Executive Director John Calhoun in economic development matters as well as other strategic investments, marketing initiatives, and accomplishments for businesses and communities in the Polk City region.

Bruce Hansen praised Calhoun and his board for their enthusiasm and dedication to growing and diversifying the economy of the community.  He noted Calhoun’s leadership roles and involvement in many accomplishments including the Big Creek Technology Campus, the professional office building, and various business recruitment efforts for the community.

The Silver Shovel Award also brought with it a $1,000 contribution from the Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation.  The financial award will allow Polk City Development Corporation to advance economic development through contributions to local 501c3 organizations.   The IADG Community Foundation was established to facilitate community based philanthropy throughout rural Iowa, promote entrepreneurship and advance economic development.

Iowa Area Development Group was established in 1985 to help its utility sponsors and their communities promote and foster economic development.   The organization and its utility sponsors have been instrumental in facilitating over 1,600 projects, $5.6 billion in investment and creating over 40,000 jobs for Iowa.

Left to Right- Bruce Hansen, Iowa AreaDevelopment Group, Mayor Gary Heuertz, Executive Director John Calhoun, NormFandel, Midland Power