WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
We have coined PPP for years in Le Mars and my husband, Mike Wells, kept talking to our city about it when he would continue to invest in the city of Le Mars through Wells’ Enterprises and also when we started to invest personally about fifteen years ago. It seemed to fit perfectly with who we are and what we do together through our non-profit and also for Mike and me.
By definition traditional Public-Private Partnership is an approach to funding local development projects. These are contractual arrangements between a municipality and a private or corporate entity agreeing to share the responsibility of funding and managing an economic development project. The structure of a public-private partnership typically includes the offer of funding, tax incentives, or public land from the local government, while the private organization promises capital investment, job creation, or development expertise.
Mike’s view of this is that in a small community like Le Mars, it looks less structured and more relational. In our community there are those who invest and take the personal financial risk while taking advantage of tax credits which is a great tool. Those deferrals allow the developers to invest and build buildings that not only eventually go on the tax rolls, but immediately create jobs, drive interest in our community, and support the growth we desire. But it’s not so much about financial gain but more about supporting the future of our community. It takes those willing to take the personal financial risk in order to create wealth for the entire community.
It has been pure joy for us to walk with other people in our community and rebuild the hometown that we love, as well as to watch the borders stretch out in all directions because of other people seeing the plan and the potential, as well as the investments that they are now making. There are lots of people working together to make this all happen. Stop in town and enjoy some great food, drinks, and of course ice cream! Drive around town and check out all of the dirt work happening, as well as many new buildings and old buildings being worked on.
Of course, there are still all those iconic places to visit in Le Mars that you all love. Check out the new Bob’s Drive Inn and get the feels while you are there, and don’t miss Iowa Barbecue Company and the new Oak Room. IBC is now open year-round, and they also have special times of live music on the patio. Habitué Coffeehouse & Bakery has their courtyard open, and we always have new food and drinks also. Chix Chicken & Waffles is such a wonderful place to get the best chicken tenders. Another new one is Chaos on Central where you can get amazing smash burgers, as well as other great eats.
Get it on your calendar for ICE CREAM DAYS also happening June 17-20. You can go to the website and look at all the fun things, also both nights we will have live music on the stage at Olsen Cultural Center right downtown. Lots of great shopping in Le Mars when you’re here too; like Hotopps, Shop Cary’s, Sugar & Spice and Lily Zita Teen Boutique, Bike Central, Brown’s Gift Shop, The Market, Second Chapter Used Books, Mescher’s Menswear & more.
If you have never taken in a parade in Le Mars, it is such a treat. Come join us for a small town most beloved parade on Saturday, June 20th. You will want to come early and park and grab some coffee at Habitué downtown. You could even have ice cream for breakfast and be ready to see the parade that starts at 10AM. You can get ice cream all four days at every event during Ice Cream Days in the Ice Cream Capital of the World!
