Quilt museum set to open in May

In May of 2016, just as we’re switching off the space heaters, a new Iowa Quilt Museum should be set to open. Winterset’s newest “attraction” will be downtown on the square, if all goes as planned. The $439,000 project was recently greenlighted for a grant in the amount of $57,725 by the Vision Iowa Board. The project’s cost includes the purchase and remodel of the historic Madison County building.

Sugar high
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop is open for business in Ankeny. The shop is located at 1550 N. Ankeny Blvd., Suite 104. According to sources, it has 1,500 different candies, 100-plus types of saltwater taffy and roughly 500 flavors of soda. Around 115 of those funky soda flavors are based on foods like buffalo chicken, key lime pie and even bacon. The first Rocket Fizz opened in California roughly seven years ago. The company has since grown to nearly 100 franchises across the nation. Bob and Cindy Peters own the new sugar shop; they also own Ankeny’s Quilter’s Cupboard.

Revved up
Fenders Cycle, a locally owned business, is expanding its operations, according to a company press release. The Des Moines dealership is bringing the Indian Motorcycle and Victory Motorcycle brands to the area. These motorcycles are built in Spirit Lake.

Spa810 coming to Ankeny
Spa810 is coming soon to Ankeny at 1802 Southeast Delaware, Suite 107. The international spa is new in Iowa. The brand offers membership services that include custom massages, medical grade facials and laser treatments for hair removal. The chain’s launch in Iowa and Nebraska is being spearheaded by Mr. and Mrs. Steve Walker. The plan is for 16 or more new spa locations across Iowa.

Natural Grocers to open Clive store Feb. 9
Specialty grocery market Natural Foods is set to open in Clive on Feb. 9 at 8650 Hickman Road at the location of the old Dahl’s Foods store. The chain of stores offers certified organic fresh produce as well as other organic and natural products. The store will have a nutritional health coach and will offer free nutrition education classes to the public. The store will be open seven days a week.

Johnston to receive $500,000
The EPA’s new Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program has selected the city of Johnston to receive $500,000 of financial and technical guidance for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure planning. The same amount will be given to 10 communities nationwide.

Ankeny sets record number of construction projects in 2015
For the third year in a row, Ankeny’s Planning & Building Department has reported a record number of building permits. A strong economy and confidence from developers and residents are considered by city leaders to be the main contributing factors for the steady growth. Ankeny surpassed $300 million for the second time in its history with total of $314 million in 2015, in terms of total construction valuation. The record high of $318 million was set in 2014. Further review of the $314 million total construction valuation shows the following breakdown. The City issued a total of 2,240 building permits, which is a tie for the record set in 2005. Last year, 2,237 permits were issued. Ankeny’s largest commercial construction projects in 2015 include Accumold, Opus, Des Moines Area Community College and The Bridges. Ankeny issued 929 new residential permits with a valuation of $201,259,673. The highest number was set in 2005 with 1,347 units. CV