2023 DCDC Annual Fundraising Gala
On Tuesday, May 23, DCDC held our Annual Fundraising Gala at the new Stables Event Center in Lamoni, Iowa. We had nearly 100 attendees, comprised of local business owners, community leaders, and DCDC supporters. 15 Local businesses donated raffle baskets, totaling over $1,400 in value! The meal was catered by Lizzie Yoder and served by the Decatur County ROCCS students. The meat was purchased with a discount from the Red Barn Meat Market in Lamoni. The evening’s program included;
– a brief introduction of our regional Small Business Development Center by Jamie David
– a brief introduction of the Southern Iowa Council of Governments by Beth Waddle
– a presentation of current DCDC projects by Director Fountain
– a presentation of “years of service” certificates to DCDC board members by President Erb
– a keynote address by Ethan Pitt from the Iowa Area Development Group
– a Decatur County Business of the Year Award- presented by Director Fountain to North Lumber in Leon and Southern Iowa Building Center in Lamoni (Sally Dykes, Tony Dykes, and Cody Lindsey)
Thanks to everyone who made this event possible!
– Stables Event Center, Lydia and Calieb Kistler, Lizzie Yoder, ROCCS Students, Red Barn Meat Market, Chase Clausen, Ethan Pitt, Jamie David, Beth Waddle, Kayla Clausen
THANK YOU to our local businesses who donated raffle baskets: SCIT Theatre, Infinity Health, North Lumber, Southern Iowa Building Center, BTC Bank, Down South Company, Main Street Brick House, Battle Axez, Invinci, Kat Akers (Mary Kay), Graceland University, Delta Metals, Hedge Creek Homestead, Southern Roots/Northside Iron, American State Bank
DCDC Seeks New Executive Director
The Decatur County Development Corporation is in search of an Executive Director to manage the non-profit organization to support Economic Development in Decatur County, Iowa. The Director will serve as the COO of the organization, and will be responsible for all day-to-day activities and long term strategy for business retention, business expansion, and business recruitment. To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Shannon Erb, Board President, at serb@dcdciowa.org by April 15, 2022.
Job Title: Executive Director of the Decatur County Development Corporation (DCDC)
Job Description: It is the role of the Decatur County Development Corporation (DCDC) Executive Director to facilitate economic growth for Decatur County, IA by fulfilling the following duties as Chief Operating Officer of the organization:
- Focus on supporting existing businesses in Decatur County with business retention and expansion efforts.
- Develop and apply specific local, regional, and state-wide resource tools to support local business development and recruitment efforts.
- Maintain a strong relationship with the following boards by regularly attending meetings:
- Leon Chamber of Commerce/Development Board
- Lamoni Development Corporation (LDC)
- Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI)
- Leon Chamber of Commerce
- Lamoni Chamber of Commerce
- Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
- Iowa Rural Development Council
- Small Business Development Center
- Rotary Club of Decatur County
- Stay up-to-date on Iowa Area Development Group and Iowa Economic Development Authority programs, projects, and business incentives.
- Maintain and promote DCDC’s Revolving Loan Fund and other RLFs for entrepreneurs and expanding businesses.
- Oversee all financial activity for the organization managed in QuickBooks, and submit payroll taxes to the state on a quarterly basis and federal taxes on a monthly schedule.
- Attend business recruitment events.
- Attend local, regional and state networking events.
- Work closely with the South Central Small Business Development Center.
- Organize monthly Board of Directors meeting and report on monthly activities, financial reports, and current events of the organization.
- Organize annual meeting in January and provide report on the annual success of DCDC.
- Implement on-going training activities for existing businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Attend and report to City Council Meetings upon the request of Council, or when projects warrant a discussion.
- Direct all marketing efforts of the organization.
- Attend on-going training sessions and seminars regarding economic development endeavors.
- Seek grants and funding to apply towards economic development.
- Lead and assist in community development programs.
- Maintain a healthy relationship with the business community and all residents in Decatur County.
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Decatur County, Iowa
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge and experience in non-profit management preferred.
- Knowledge and experience in Economic or Community Development organizations as a staff member or volunteer preferred.
- Proven track record of building and maintaining partnerships, and networking.
- Self-driven leader with ability to multitask and manage many projects at once.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to plan, assign, and manage the work of volunteer boards and committees.
- Valid driver’s license, and ability to insure.
- Ability to work with business, community, and governmental leaders effectively.
- Ability to appropriately handle confidential information.
- Ability to deal with problems and make sound decisions.
Education: BA/BS Degree plus 3-5 years’ experience in economic or community development preferred but not required.
How To Apply: Email cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Shannon Erb, Board President, serb@dcdciowa.org by April 15, 2022.
Munter Hired as DCDC Executive Director
The Decatur County Development Corporation (DCDC) recently hired Emily Munter as their new Executive Director. Munter, a resident of Lamoni, is new to DCDC but is no stranger to Decatur County. As she says, if she needs to visit family, all she needs to do is take a quick trip to Rose Hill.
A graduate of Graceland University with a degree in Elementary Education, Munter has actually spent most of her professional life working with small business sales and marketing. Her past endeavors include owning her own event planning company, heading up market entry for a small farm where she also directed their AgriTourism activities and staff, and working with a small family owned music company as their educational representative in addition to her years in the classroom teaching 5th grade and music. Munter grew up in Southern Illinois, the daughter of two Graceland alumni who she credits for teaching her the way to not only handle the business world, but also how to navigate life and any challenges it may bring.
When asked how she sees her role as the DCDC Executive Director, Munter stated she desires to see Decatur County not just grow, but diversify and find ways to increase visibility in new avenues. “I want to plug holes and build bridges”, Munter said, “but I’m also aware I have much to learn about not only economic development, but about Decatur County and its residents.” As she has phased into her role, Munter has been grateful for the support of former Executive Director Shannon Erb and members of the DCDC Executive Board. “If there is a more gracious place to learn the ways of economic development, I’m not sure where it would be. Every person I have interacted with since day one has been helpful and supportive. When you’re given that when taking on a new role, exciting and unexpected things can happen!” Munter says she sees her role, and the role of DCDC, summed up well in a famous Walt Disney quote, “Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long… We keep moving forward, opening up new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
Munter looks forward to building her own connections and networks in Decatur County and throughout the state of Iowa in the immediate future. As this occurs, she is confident what she has learned previously and currently will have a positive impact in the DCDC area. She has also said there are no plans to relocate any time soon – her son is a freshman at Graceland University this fall and there are some perks being close enough to see his soccer games, provide some home cooked meals and do some laundry!
Emily works in the DCDC Office located in the Decatur County Courthouse in Leon. To reach her, call 641-446-4991 or email here at emunter@dcdciowa.org.