NEWS RELEASE

Contact: New Hampton Economic Development Office (Tammy Robinson or Megan Gleason) at 641-394-2437, nheconomic@windstream.net or Teresa Wiemerslage, ISU Extension, 563-794-0599, wiemer@iastate.edu

Grants Available to Local Food Producers

Farmers interested in starting or expanding local food production, processing, marketing or distribution in northeast Iowa are eligible to apply for a mini-grant from the Northeast Iowa Food and Farm Coalition (NIFF). The opportunity is available to producers in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

The grant funds may be used for start-up or expansion costs related to growing or marketing local food. Funds must be used on projects that will build the capacity of the farm to produce food long-term. Producers might use the funds for build or renovate facilities for growing, packing or storing local food, or to purchase equipment for production or processing of food. Projects related to the marketing or transportation of local foods will also be considered.

Each county will give out $1500 in mini-grants. The maximum grant amount is $500. In 2011, $12,000 was awarded to farmers in the region. The grant money was matched by an additional $115,000 in resources.

Applications are due by June 1, 2012  to New Hampton Economic Development, 112 East Spring Street, New Hampton, IA  50659.  Please contact Tammy or Megan at 641-394-2437 for additional information and a grant application. Applications are also online at www.iowafreshfood.com.  This grant opportunity is part of the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Food & Community project. All interested farmers are encouraged to apply. Additional information about the NIFF Coalition and Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative can be found at www.iowafoodandfitness.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 7
4:00-6:00pm     Farmer's Market (located on the corner of Main Street and Linn Ave)

FRIDAY, JUNE 8
**All Events will take place at Mikkelson Park unless otherwise noted**

9:00am     Dollars for Scholars Golf Tournament (NH Country Club)
6:00pm     Parade on Main Street
6:00-9:00pm       Balloon Man!! FREE! (during parade and at park afterwards)
7:00 - midnight    Food & Beverage Tent Open
8:00 - midnight    HEARTLAND'S GOT TALENT SEMI-FINALS*
                (Rain location to be held at Chickasaw Event Center)

SATURDAY, JUNE 9
8:00am     5K RUN/WALK Sponsored by the New Hampton Fire Department
8:00am- 8:00pm     Youth Baseball Tournament
10:00am-3:00pm     Vendor's Row Open (NO Prepared Food or Drink for sale)
11:00am-1:00pm     Pheasants Forever Slingshot and Target Shoot (no guns)
Noon         Bean Bag Tournament (Contact New Horizons-Chamber for Entry Form
                                                      $20 per team, 32 team capacity)
11:00am-8:00pm     Kid's Inflatable Games Open
10:00am-midnight   Food & Beverage Tent Open
1:00pm-2:00pm      Self Guided School Tours of Elementary, Middle and High School
12:30pm                New Hampton FFA Kiddie Tractor Pull
1:00pm-2:00pm      Park n' Rec Dance Team (pre-1st and 2nd-3rd and Just for Kicks Dance 4th- 12th grade)
1:00pm-5:00pm     Adrenaline X Mobile Laser Tag! (Cost $3)
2:00pm-3:30pm     Miss Heartland & Little Miss Princess Pageant*
                (Middle School Auditorium Rain Location)
3:30pm-4:00pm     New Hampton's Biggest Loser Grand Finale*
                (Middle School Auditorium Rain Location)
4:30pm-7:00pm     Heartland's Got Talent Karaoke Contest Finale*
                (Chickasaw Event Center rain location)
7:00pm-10:00pm   NIGHT SWIM DANCE PARTY (at the pool)
8:00pm-midnight   Live Music by "Cliffhanger, CB & Company"
Dusk                    FIREWORKS

SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Chickasaw County Rescue Squad
Breakfast By The Bandshell
8:00a.m.—12:00p.m. at Mikkelson Park
Youth Baseball Tournament
Tickets may be purchased from any Rescue Member or at the door
All proceeds benefit the Chickasaw County Rescue Squad

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
VALID ID REQUIRED TO OBTAIN WRIST BAND FOR PURCHASE OF ALCOHOL—NO COOLERS ALLOWED

Croell-Redi Mix is a company of about 800 employees in 5 states.  Concrete Foundations Incorporated (CFI) is a division of Croell and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Croell Redi-Mix.

As some of you may know, CFI is working on finishing Highway 63 between Denver and New Hampton.  Their portable plant is set up in Platte Quarry along Highway 63.  This is one of the largest paving jobs that they have done.  It is estimated to be a $17.5 million dollar job.  They have about 50-55 employees working on the job.  The project has to be completed, able to drive on, by Labor Day this year.