Article by: Spiff Slifka
Construction is underway! With over 150 dignitaries in attendance including Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, shovels were put to use and black dirt was turned over in honor of Lime Springs Beef, LLC. Branstad acknowledged, “As big a deal as Facebook and Google are in other parts of the state of Iowa, Lime Springs Beef is a big deal in this area.”
Jesse Stevens, Lime Springs Beef President said his story is “about an Iowa farm boy who after a long and rewarding business career was given the opportunity to return home and be part of a project that will turn the plight of a region and possibly the plight of the beef industry.”
This $7 million project, expecting to bring 50 new jobs to Howard County, is located along US Hwy 63 at the unique epicenter of locally raised highest-quality beef. This technologically cutting edge slaughter house will feature certified beef producers and the entire process from farm to fork will allow consumers to track their cut of beef full circle.
This innovative business is a true partnership from Board of Directors, Howard County Business & Tourism, the State of Iowa, and now our local FFA organization from Crestwood High School. Earlier in 2013 Governor Branstad and Lt Gov Reynolds were keynote speakers at the HCBT Banquet and signed into law House File #533. This law, written and sponsored by local House Representative Josh Byrnes, now allows entrepreneurial education funds to be invested in private business. Crestwood FFA bought a share of Lime Springs Beef and is now a stakeholder in this pioneering business.
CEDA Vice President of Iowa operations Jason Passmore and Community and Business Development Specialist Spiff Slifka through their work with Howard County Business and Tourism assisted the project by securing a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) grant in the amount of $418,197 and a High Quality Jobs Program (HQJP) grant in the amount of $234,090.