Another member of the Cass County Board of Supervisors has announced he will not be running for re-election during the June 7th Primary. District 1 Supervisor Duane McFadden told KJAN News about his decision during a visit to our studios this (Thursday) morning. McFadden will be completing his 12th year on the Board of Supervisors at the end of December.

He says he’s learned there are many up’s and down’s in trying to bring economic development to Cass County, especially with regard to bringing an ethanol plant to the County. Those efforts were bolstered late last week by a decision from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to award Farmers Energy Cardinal, LLC a $4.2-million tax break to create 49 jobs, of which 45 are incented at a qualifying wage of $18.67. The plant, originally planned in 2006, stalled and wasn’t completed.

When completed, the 150-million gallon per year, dry-mill corn ethanol plant will be Iowa’s 44th corn ethanol refinery and at 150 million gallons a year is among the state’s largest. The project will result in a capital investment of $189.9 million.

McFadden says when he leaves the Board, he’ll be moving to central Iowa. Duane worked for Lindeman Tractor in Atlantic for more than 20-years before he began his last campaign for office. He says whomever is elected to the District 1 seat on the Board of Supervisors has to know, especially if you’re elected Board Chair, like he was up until recently, it’s not just a couple of hours per week they’ll have to devote to the job, it’s a commitment to the County and its people.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green has announced he will be running to fill the District 1 seat in June. Mayor Dave Jones also has an interest in the seat, but he has not yet formally announced he’s running. Last month, Cass County District 4 Supervisor Chuck Rieken announced he too, won’t be seeking re-election.