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Fountain Hired as New DCDC Executive Director

The Decatur County Development Corporation is excited to welcome its new Executive Director, Cierra Fountain.

Fountain graduated in 2019 from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Fountain, originally Clark, was born and raised in Decatur County where her childhood years were spent on the family feedlot east of Davis City, later relocating to a farm south of Leon. Cierra graduated from Central Decatur High School. After college, she returned to the area and currently resides in Leon with her husband, Colton.

Fountain is a large supporter and advocate for local businesses. Her passion for community development has been showcased in Decatur County through her participation and involvement in many community events and organizations. Much of her time and efforts have been dedicated to the performing arts in the community.

As a Decatur County native, Fountain has the passion and energy to continue current economic development projects in the county and the motivation to devise creative economic and community development solutions to continue to make Decatur County a great place to live, work, stay, and play.

“Decatur County is my home. It is where I grew up, and where I want my children to grow up. I am passionate about this county and the rural communities that it consists of. Decatur County has presented me so many opportunities, and I’m excited to be able to give back to help the county grow.”

Fountain’s goals are to continue to support local businesses and entrepreneurs and to work on recruiting outside businesses to Decatur County. These goals aim to retain the current population and increase the already high standard of living and quality of life for county residents.

The DCDC main office is located on the east side of the second level of the courthouse. The DCDC office is typically open from 8 am to noon, and 1 pm to 5 pm, but hours may vary based on meetings off site with community members and businesses.

Fountain welcomes any visitors to discuss new ideas, request business and marketing consulting, or just to get to know her! To contact her directly, email Fountain at cfountain@dcdciowa.org. You can also call the office at 641-446-4991 or Fountain’s cell phone at 641-442-6511. Learn more about DCDC at www.dcdciowa.org.

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Decatur County Development Corporation Receives Award for Business Retention and Expansion Efforts

Pictured L-R: Shannon Erb, Executive Director, Decatur County Development Corporation; Clark Smith, Smart Solutions Group (award sponsor); Tad Whittom, Founder, Freedom Racing Tool and Auto, LLC; Tyler Whittom, Freedom Racing Tool and Auto, LLC; John Henderson, Treasurer, Lamoni Development Corporation; Ethan Pitt, Director, South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center; Governor of Iowa Kim Reynolds; Lt. Governor of Iowa Adam Gregg.

Des Moines, IA – May 9, 2019:  The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) honored the Decatur County Development Corporation during the SMART Economic Development Conference held in Des Moines on May 9.

The PDI Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Awards Program recognizes the outstanding efforts of local and regional economic development initiatives in supporting growth and expansion of existing Iowa companies. Decatur County Development Corporation received the 2019 Single Project BRE Success Award. This award recognizes a single event or issue in which a community successfully mobilized to retain or expand an existing business. Consideration was given to the process of identifying the opportunity, collaboration with local, regional and/or state partners and the ability to respond quickly.

Freedom Racing Tool and Auto was established in 2010 in Lamoni and is an industry leading e-commerce business that sells new and pre-owned automotive specialty tools. The company was experiencing rapid growth going from three to 29 employees, leading them to look for locations to expand. Freedom Racing was recruited by communities in Missouri, but the Decatur County Development Corporation teamed with the Lamoni Development Corporation, Iowa Area Development Group, CIPCO, GRM Networks, Aureon, South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center, and the City of Lamoni to put together a great package to keep them home in Lamoni by helping them build and expand their facilities to meet their needs. 

“Supporting Iowa’s existing industry is a key priority for PDI’s membership,” stated Kelly Halsted, PDI President. “The BRE Awards are intended to increase the focus on fostering Iowa business growth by economic development organizations and spotlight BRE programs and projects that have made a significant impact on Iowa communities.”

Founded in 1973, with current membership of over 310, PDI is an organization dedicated to advancing the professionalism of its members through a wide range of programs and services. As an association, PDI provides professional training that helps its members do a better job for their community. PDI creates an atmosphere of support and offers an instant network of seasoned experts for local professionals to seek advice and support. Learn more about PDI at www.pdiowa.com, www.facebook.com/ProfessionalDevelopersOfIowa and www.twitter.com/pdiowa . Learn more about the Decatur County Development Corporation at www.dcdciowa.org and www.facebook.com/dcdciowa.

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DCDC Hosts First Annual Meeting

The Decatur County Development Corporation hosted its first Annual Meeting and Fundraising Gala on Friday, April 20, 2018. With over 70 guests in attendance, the group celebrated Economic Development and business successes from 2017 and 2018, and looked forward to upcoming projects to bring new business to the county and expand existing businesses. Deb Brown, the founder of Building Possibility and co-founder of SaveYour.Town provided the keynote addresses to highlight opportunities in Decatur County to implement innovative and creative business solutions. Executive Director, Shannon Erb thanked volunteers and honored Freedom Racing Tool and Auto as the DCDC Business of the Year for 2017. Former Congressman Leonard Boswell was also recognized as the first recipient of the Decatur County Development Corporation Distinguished Service Award, which was presented earlier this year. Erb also recognized board members who have served DCDC for 5 and 10 years, including:

  • Jim Fulton – 5 years
  • Ron Gibson – 5 years
  • Robert Omer – 5 years
  • Shane Akers – 6 years
  • John Henderson – 6 years
  • JR Cornett – 6 years
  • Leon Kessel – 6 years
  • Larry McAlpin – 6 years
  • Lynn Milnes (Deceased) – 6 years
  • Michael Jordison – 7 years
  • Alan Elefson – 7 years
  • John Sellars – 7 years
  • Bob Templeton – 7 years
  • Emil Segebart – 8 years
  • JoBeth Smith – 9 years
  • Marcia Stephens – 9 years
  • John Dunsdon – 9 years
  • Randy Smith – 10 years
  • Terry Geiger – 11 years
  • Stephanie Mendenhall – 11 years
  • Bill Morain – 14 years

Presentations from the event are available below:

DCDC presentation

Deb Brown Presentation

For all questions, contact Executive Director Shannon Erb via email at serb@dcdciowa.org or via phone at 641-442-6511. Follow the DCDC Facebook page at www.facebook.come/dcdciowa for updates on economic development and business news in Decatur County.
Over 60 attendees at the DCDC Annual Meeting and Fundraising Gala on April 20, 2018 held at The Cave Bar and Grill in Leon Tad Whittom accepts the 2017 DCDC Business of the Year Award for Freedom Racing Tool and Auto Dr. Jesse Bolinger, AmeriCorps VISTA with DCDC thanks Julia Wilkerson for her volunteer work on the new DCDC Resource Directory
Shane Akers accepts an award for service as a DCDC Board Member John Henderson accepts an award for service as a DCDC Board Member Michael Jordison accepts an award for service as a DCDC Board Member

Deb Brown provided the keynote address based her week

Thank you to the following businesses, organizations and individuals who helped make the first annual DCDC Annual Meeting and Fundraising Gala a success!

  • Thank you to everyone who attended to show support of Economic Development in Decatur County.
  • Thank you to all of DCDC’s public, business and individual donors who contribute annually to help with our continued growth.
  • Thank you to DCDC Board Members for your support.
  • Thank you to Curtis Manchester and Decatur County Hospital for catering the meal. And thanks to Bobby Reum for helping with set up and service.
  • Thank you to The Cave Bar and Grill for creating an event space and allowing us to rent it for our meeting.
  • Thank you to the Leon Journal-Reporter and Fusion Studios for use of tables and chairs.
  • Thank you to the Gala planning committee – Shelley Bickel, Jesse Bolinger, Chris Coffelt, Tammy Heintz and Sue Kelly.
  • Thank you to Deb Brown for an immersive county exercise creating meaningful, motivating conversations all week; and for providing our keynote. And thank you to the following sponsors for contributing toward Deb’s speaking fee: City of Lamoni, Lamoni Chamber of Commerce, Lamoni Development Corporation, City of Leon, Leon Chamber of Commerce, Leon Community Development Corporation.
  • Thank you to Laura and Monte Beemer at Little River Inn Motel for upgrading Deb Brown to the guest house at no additional cost.
  • Thank you to all those who donated a silent auction or raffle item: From the Ground, Leon Lions Club, Mormon Trail Schools, Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, Leon’s New Horizons, Inc., Fusion Studios, Decatur County Public Health, BTC Bank, Jordan Omstead, Lamoni Schools, Central Decatur Schools, Decatur County Conservation Board, SCIT Theatre, Lamoni Hy-Vee, Later Gator Children’s Consignment Boutique, Graceland University, Larry Phillips, Main Street Brickhouse, Lamoni Lions Club, Lockdown Fitness, Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Coliseum Theatre, Riverbank Bar and Grill, Invinci Graphics II and Invinci Store, IowaWorks, Southwestern Community College.
  • Thank you to Alysha Van Laar and American State Bank for purchasing and creating our centerpieces with flowers from Yutze’s Greenhouse.

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