The Walnut City Council, Thursday, held discussion on ways to entice businesses to locate to “Iowa’s Antique City.” City Clerk Terry Abell said the Council, during their first meeting of the new year, talked about offering “incentive packages” to bring new business to town, but no action was taken. Abell said also, the Council reappointed Larry Humann to the Zoning Commission. The Council, in it’s review of the State Audit Report, noted some policy changes that need to be addressed. Abell said that includes a Disaster Recovery Policy for City Hall records, a written internet/password protection policy, and a new investment policy. The audit report, she said was “Clean,” and showed no discrepancies.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says a partnership between the Young Professionals of Atlantic and Healthy Cass County has produced a lunch seminar scheduled for January 18th. The seminar, titled “Why New Years Resolutions Don’t Work,” is tailored for area 20 and 30-somethings and will focus on making plans that are achievable and ways to stay motivated. Cass County Wellness Coordinator Bethany Rogers will be speaking to attendees about making and keeping wellness goals for 2012. Rogers has gained recognition in the area as a community leader for the ongoing Blue Zones Project, studied Coaching at the University of Northern Iowa, and has been employed in several health and wellness positions. 

Lunch will feature a healthy and affordable recipe.  Registration is open until January 15 online at www.AtlanticIowa.com. Attendees will also have an opportunity to register for Live Healthy Iowa’s popular 100-Day Wellness Challenge which begins January 23. Organized under the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, the Young Professionals of Atlantic group has been actively working to expand the social and business networks of area professionals in the 21-40 set. 

More information can be found through the Chamber at 712-243-3017 or Rogers at 712-249-4529.

Officials with Mid American Energy Company today (Friday), announced the development of new wind projects in Iowa, totaling 407.1-megawatts. Among the projects, is a signed agreement with Clipper Windpower Development Company, for the acquisition of both the 200.1-megawatt Eclipse wind project, located in Adair County. The projects, which also include those in Marshall and Tama Counties, a combined 176 turbines, will be complete by the end of 2012. An additional 2.3-megawatt wind turbine will also be added to the Rollings Hills wind project this year.

In December 2010, MidAmerican announced it would add 593.4-megawatts of new wind-powered generation in Iowa. The projects included the 443.9-megawatt Rolling Hills wind project, located in Adair, Adams and Cass Counties. The final portion of the 593.4-megawatt expansion was placed in-service at the end of 2011.

The company’s other wind projects are located in several western Iowa counties, including Carroll, Crawford, and Pottawattamie. They total 1,284.3-megawatts of wind generation. When the 2012 wind projects are complete, MidAmerican will own 2,284.8-megawatts of wind generation, with about 29% of its total generation capacity powered by wind. By the time the 2012 projects are completed, the company will have invested about 4-billion dollars in those projects.