Governor Kim Reynolds met with several community leaders in Stuart Thursday afternoon to discuss the successes in housing and other development for the City.

Stuart Enterprise for Economic Development member Warren Varley led the group in sharing the progress the City has had including the three housing developments that are expected to add about 100 homes to the City, infield development, and the recent opening of a stand alone daycare facility. Stuart Economic Development Director Kristen Renslow also mentioned the approximate 30 new full-time positions that Karl Chevrolet brought to the City, and other new employment expected from DICA Manufacturing that plans to build its new headquarters in Marks Business Park. Governor Kim Reynolds says that making visits like Thursday’s is her favorite part of her position, “It was incredible, the numbers that they gave me and the success that they have. This is something that every community across the state of Iowa, especially rural Iowa, is trying to figure out. And I was just so impressed with the thought that they put into it and the strategy and the different phases and the number of housing that they’ve been able to bring online.”

Renslow mentioned to Governor Reynolds that one of Stuart’s biggest challenges is filling downtown retail space, and Varley said his wish list addition for the City would be for a T1 internet connection to help bring more new residents and businesses.