Article by: Howard County Business And Tourism (CEDA Team)
Filling large empty buildings in rural communities is a challenge for many, especially if it is retail. The CEDA contract in Howard County, IA was no different after Shopko closed its doors in the middle of 2019 at their location just outside of Cresco. Many contacts were made and seeds planted to potentially occupy the vacant 33,000 sq. ft. building, and when Hy-Vee contacted the Howard County Business & Tourism office near the end of 2019, hope was looking more like reality.
Jason Passmore explained, “CEDA and Howard County Business & Tourism worked with Hy-Vee in late 2019 to move this project forward, with huge assistance from the Howard County Board of Supervisors and local lender Cresco Bank & Trust.” The Cresco location is one of the first handful of stores to offer the new Dollar Fresh format that Hy-Vee is opening in various locations throughout the region.
Open seven days a week and employing over 30 workers, Cresco welcomed Dollar Fresh on June 26, 2020. Dollar Fresh offers groceries, wine and spirits, clothing, shoes, fuel, ready-to-eat meals along with their aisles on-line format offering easy curbside pick-up.