|
News Releases -
Business & Economy
|
|
|
Written by Garrett Burchett
|
|
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 08:07 |
|
The new business will bring a unique new tourist attraction to LeClaire and the Quad Cities metro area.
LeClaire, Iowa -- July 12, 2010 – Work began today on a new building in downtown LeClaire that will soon be the new home of Mississippi River Distilling Company. With plans to open on the banks of the Mississippi in late 2010, Mississippi River Distilling Company will produce handmade, premium spirits made from locally grown grains.
This start-up business will be the first whiskey distillery in the Quad Cities area since prohibition. Once in operation, the public will be able to tour the facility daily to see the production of vodka, gin and bourbon whiskey up close.
“We are so excited about the potential for our company in LeClaire,” said company partner Garrett Burchett. “The town fits our company’s image and the proximity to Interstate 80 gives us a steady stream of potential tourists to visit our facility. The community has been a great partner in bringing this dream to reality.”
People who visit the distillery will be able to witness the entire process of liquor creation on site. From the milling of the grain to the fermentation, distillation, aging and bottling; everything from grain to glass will be done at the distillery.
A new Iowa law that went into effect on July 1 allows micro-distilleries in Iowa to offer limited retail sales and tastings on the distillery premises. Mississippi River Distilling Company plans to be the first new distillery in Iowa to open after the passage of this legislation.
As the building is being constructed, operators are also awaiting the construction of a 1,000 liter handmade German pot still that will be the focal point of the facility. This copper and stainless steel instrument takes craftsmen up to six months to fabricate. Once shipped from Germany and installed, it will be the only one of its kind in the Midwest. The steam heated still gives producers the flexibility to create vodka, gin, whiskey and other spirits.
Aside from the production facility, the building will also house a retail area and large tasting room. Tours will conclude in the tasting room that will feature a large glass window looking into the production facility as well as a large window view out to the Mississippi River.
This building is the first of four to be constructed that will extend the existing downtown retail area of LeClaire to the north and develop a block of land that has stood empty for several years. This commercial expansion in LeClaire has many business people excited.
“LeClaire is experiencing continued growth and this development will enhance the experience of our visitors,” said Deb Mulvania, the president of the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited that Mississippi River Distilling Company has chosen to locate their unique new business in our downtown area. They will compliment our existing businesses and create excitement for further economic development.”
The construction of this facility has been the culmination of efforts from many entities across the region. Mississippi River Distilling Company has worked closely with the City of LeClaire, First Central State Bank in LeClaire, New Ventures Initiative in Davenport and the Iowa Department of Economic Development to develop and fund the project. “We can’t say enough about the community support we’ve received throughout this process,” said Burchett. “It really strengthens our connection to the local community to have such wonderful support from LeClaire, the greater Quad Cities region and the State of Iowa.”
### |
|
News Releases -
Business & Economy
|
|
|
Written by USDA Communications Office
|
|
Monday, 12 July 2010 15:01 |
|
CORVALIS, Ore., July 12, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced Recovery Act investments for 11 businesses in 9 states to strengthen rural economies by supporting local and regional food systems. Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Victor Vasquez made the announcement on behalf of Secretary Vilsack at the annual conference for the National Rural Economic Developers Association.
"Our farmers are the most productive in the world, supplying much of the nation's food, and in so doing, are creating the create jobs that are necessary to strengthen our economy," said Vilsack. "By connecting farmers and ranchers more closely with consumers of food, we are creating new economic opportunities for producers and helping consumers to access healthy, nutritious food."
These announcements come as part of USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, which seeks to create new economic opportunities, to promote local and regional food systems that help keep wealth in rural communities, and to encourage a national conversation about what we eat and where it comes from in order to benefit producers of all sizes.
"The Obama Administration and USDA are committed to strengthening and supporting rural business and regional economies in order to revitalize our small towns and communities," Vasquez said. "This funding will help create and save jobs and build on America's economic recovery."
For example, in O'Neill, Neb., Garden Fresh Vegetables, LLC was selected to receive a $3.9 million guaranteed loan to expand its greenhouse business by purchasing a 10-acre greenhouse, and by constructing a new facility. The expansion will create an estimated 35 new jobs in the community. The company is one of the largest employers in O'Neill, whose population is 3,733. Garden Fresh Vegetables currently employs 50 full time and an additional 10 part-time workers and also offers seasonal employment opportunities to high school and college students. Their produce is currently used in many local grocery stores and they also participate in the local Farm to Schools program.
Meanwhile, in Dundee, Ore., the Torii Mor Winery, LLC was selected to receive a $6 million guaranteed loan that will enable the company to restructure debt and establish a working capital reserve to create and retain jobs -- including preserving nine existing positions. Established 17 years ago, the business is in the heart of Oregon wine country and is an integral part of the local value-added agricultural economy. The winery purchases nearly 90 percent of its grapes from local vineyards, which helps sustain additional jobs and agricultural businesses in the region.
The loan guarantees announced today are from USDA Rural Development's Business and Industry (B&I)Guaranteed Loan Program, which received $1.57 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to help rural businesses stimulate their economies and support local communities. Under the B&I program, eligible applicants include private businesses, cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, non-profit groups, Federally-recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals. The funds are targeted to create and retain quality jobs and serve difficult-to-reach populations and areas hardest hit by the current economic downturn.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal Government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.
A list of borrowers receiving loans is shown below. Funding is contingent upon borrowers meeting conditions in the loan agreement.
Iowa
- North American Co-Pack, LLC; Iowa State Bank: $1,890,000 loan
- World Food Processing, LLC; Bank Iowa: $8,000,000 loan
|
|
News Releases -
Business & Economy
|
|
|
Written by Stephanie Austin
|
|
Monday, 12 July 2010 14:03 |
|
DAVENPORT, Iowa, July 12, 2010 – The Davenport Walmart, located at 3101 W. Kimberly Road, will celebrate a grand re-opening this week, giving local shoppers a glimpse of the company’s next generation of store design and customer experience. The results of a two month remodeling project will be unveiled at the Davenport Walmart at 7:30 a.m., Friday, July 16. Among the many improvements are a new layout, wider aisles, low-profile shelving, bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lighting and easy-to-read signage to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers than ever before.
“We listened to our customers and have redesigned the store to make shopping at Walmart even easier,” said store manager Daniel Cosner.
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
The remodeled Davenport store features a more open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Walmart also aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently, making it quicker to purchase everyday items.
“The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities,” said Cosner.
A bright interior paint scheme and enhanced lighting create a more inviting shopping experience and help define the store’s merchandise areas. Low-profile shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage helps customers find the products they need.
Expanded Departments Add Value and Savings
The remodel also brings Walmart customers an expanded electronics department featuring a wide selection of the latest consumer electronics and home entertainment. The new design includes a more hands-on experience for customers with interactive displays for hi-definition Blu-ray, video gaming and portable electronics. The interactive experience enables shoppers to test new technology.
A new department called Celebration Station has been added and will feature party supplies, greeting cards, balloons and helium tanks, cake supplies and gift wrap.
Grand Re-opening Activities Include Support for Local Organizations
The grand re-opening celebration is scheduled for Friday, July 16, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. During the ceremony, store associates will present $2,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to three local organizations including Children and Families of Iowa, lowa Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Scott County Family YMCA.
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed $2 billion to U.S. hunger relief efforts through 2015. The Fighting Hunger Together campaign will also engage Walmart customers and associates in the fight against hunger. More information can be found at walmart.com/fightinghunger.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Walmartnews. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
# # # |
|
News Releases -
Business & Economy
|
|
|
Written by MAPLight.org
|
|
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 10:25 |
|
BERKELEY, CA, July 2, 2010 - The House recently approved the Conference Report to HR 4173, a sweeping change to regulations over the financial services industry. In a mostly party line vote, the 192 no-voters received on average 41% more in contributions from big banks than the 237 members voting in favor of passage. Three Republicans joined Democrats in favor of passage while 19 Democrats sided with Republicans against passage.
- Representatives Voting 'No' took in an average of $20,995
- Representatives Voting 'Yes' took in an average of $14,857
Many industries are looking to carve out exemptions for their businesses or see certain provisions removed all together. See our previous post for list of industries that split their support and opposition.
See the break downs by vote and party at MAPLight.org. |
|
|
