Spencer, IA --The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has released its second annual Holiday Gift Guide. The guide lists dozens of food and artist entrepreneurs in the four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet Counties.
“Our goal is to create a greater awareness of the artists and products made right here in our back yard and encourage residents and businesses to think of these entrepreneurs when ordering their holiday gifts this year," said Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.
Many publications and statewide organizations around the country promote “Made In ____” products and encourage residents to shop and buy local. The Iowa Lakes Corridor found that publications often didn’t include products from this part of Iowa, so decided to compile one for the area.
The list of food products and visual artists in the region continues to grow. “I often go to local stores and look for products made here,” said Evert. “I enjoy finding new products and hope others across Iowa and beyond will discover them, too.”
The Corridor has sponsored two food entrepreneur seminars in the past three years and has seen a continued interest in the development of food products. TAMS Glazed Bites, started by Tammi and Mike Heuck of Everly, is one of the success stories of the food seminar training; their family recipe for sweet pickles has grown from recipe to reality and can be purchased at many grocery stores in the Midwest. Long-term, the Corridor envisions more of these products originating from here or being made locally to warrant a special brand and marketing campaign.
To help support these entrepreneurs, Evert said the Corridor has purchased products for gift bags for clients and guest speakers visiting the region and has placed as favors at Corridor annual meetings. “There is any number of ways residents and businesses can support these entrepreneurs throughout the year.”
The 2009 Holiday Gift Guide is posted on the Iowa Lakes Corridor homepage at www.lakescorridor.com.
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