Since May when a devastating tornado hit Parkersburg community leaders and citizens have been cleaning up and rebuilding.   Through a unique partnership Iowa’s Rural Electric Cooperatives are stepping forward to help disaster relief. 

 

Under the leadership of Rick Whalen at Butler County REC a total of 13 RECs in Iowa have combined forces and funding to provide $725,000 from their local revolving loan funds as a financial aid in building the new Parkersburg Commercial Building.  The 9,558 sq.ft. building to be located at the southwest corner of Highways 14 and 57 will provide space for up to five displaced businesses.   One of those businesses affected by the tornado was the town’s only dentist office, which will locate in the new building.   

 

The project will begin construction this fall and be completed by spring 2009.    The 13 Iowa electric cooperatives providing funds are: Butler County REC, Calhoun County REC, Central Iowa Power Cooperative, Consumers Energy, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, Glidden REC, Grundy County REC, Guthrie County REC, Humboldt County REC, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, North West REC, Pella Cooperative Electric Association, and Prairie Energy Cooperative.  Loan guarantees have been approved by the Butler County Board of Supervisors and the Iowa State Bank, Parkersburg.