Storm Lake—Jump Right In!

“We got over 70% approval on two bond issues to do the $30 million Awaysis project,” Gary Lalone, executive director of the Storm Lake Chamber and Area Development Corporation told me as we toured Storm Lake, IA (population 10,076) during my visit there to talk at their Annual Banquet. He was talking about a new project to be built on the shores of Storm Lake’s 3,200 acre namesake lake. Storm Lake is looking to fully utilize one of their main assets for the future, especially as the aging baby boomers look for more recreational alternatives.

The Awaysis Project (www.awaysis.com) will include an 80 room lodge, indoor water park, 65’ light house and playground. The project also revamps the town’s municipal golf course and adds 30 condos right on the lake. The city is also spending $1 million per year on improving the quality of the lake by dredging the long-term silt buildup from farm fields.

Putting a project like Awaysis together is a monumental task. It involves various groups working together in a cooperative manner, putting egos aside and tearing down the silo mentality of leaders who only look at what is in it for their organization. Over 180 volunteers worked on 23 committees to achieve Awaysis. It is wonderful to see!

Storm Lake is a very diverse community. It has historically been a meat packing town, with Tyson and Sara Lee currently hiring 2,500 people in their hog and turkey operations. About half of the children in the school system are of immigrant parents of Hispanic, Asian and Sudanese backgrounds. Storm Lake is the only town in IA or MN with a Buddhist Temple! Channeling the entrepreneurial spirit of these immigrants and their children into new businesses should be a focus for Storm Lake in the future.

Another major asset in Storm Lake is the 1,300 student Buena Vista University. It is well endowed and had some incredible gifts from alumni. It is situated picturesquely on the banks of Storm Lake.

I hope to return to see the Awaysis when it is completed in a year. Storm Lake’s new brand of “Jump Right In!” is very appropriate for a town on the move.