History
Forest City Development was established in April 1956 by the Chamber of Commerce
to attract industry to Forest City. The jobs created by new companies would replace
the numbers of farm families who were being reduced as the size of farms increased.
One of its first projects was the formation of Modernistic Industries, Inc. which
manufactured travel trailers. This company later became Winnebago Industries, Inc.
In November 30, 2001, Forest City Development transferred its assets to Forest City
Economic Development, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation.
Staff
Executive Director
Beth Bilyeu
E-mail: Beth@forestcityia.com
Assistant Director
Norma Hertzer
E-mail: Norma@forestcityia.com
Board of Directors
Officers
| President | Dave Kingland | Manufacturers Bank & Trust |
| Vice President | Mason Harms | Waldorf College |
| Secretary | Cindy Carter | Waldorf College |
| Treasurer | Bill Krahling | Titonka Savings Bank |
Board of Directors
| Brent Aberg | Krysilis |
| Dave Arndt | D.K. Arndt, P.C. |
| Steve Bakke | Bakke Law Office |
| Ray Beebe | Winnebago Industries |
| Allan Boyken | Titonka Savings Bank |
| Dennis Busta | Manufacturers Bank & Trust |
| Cindy Carter | Waldorf College |
| Tony Coloff | KIOW Radio |
| Rod Craft | Manufacturers Bank & Trust |
| Mary Ann Farus | First Choice Realty |
| Lynn Hagenson | Farmers Cooperative |
| Mason Harms | Waldorf College |
| Bob Alsop | Waldorf College |
| Chuck Holland | Holland Contracting |
| Dave Kingland | Manufacturers Bank & Trust |
| Bill Krahling | Titonka Savings Bank |
| Darwin Lehmann | Forest City Community Schools |
| Ron Lichtsinn | Lichtsinn Motors |
| Pat Lovik | Missal Insurance & Real Estate |
| Bob Olson | Winnebago Industries |
| Jim Oulman | Winnebago Country Supervisor |
| Randy Potts | Winnebago Industries |
| John Roisen | 3M Distribution |
| Jack Soderling | Retired |
| Kay Sorensen | City of Forest City Councilperson |
| Vicki Tegland | Forest City Ford |
| Terry Wegener | WCTA |
| George Wilson | City of Forest City Mayor |
| Gaylord Wooge | Farm & City Insurance |
Committees
Housing
Co-Chairperson - Dennis Busta
Co-Chairperson - Pat Lovik
Create and utilize housing options to increase and diversify the types of housing units in the community; to meet the changing demographics of Forest City and housing needs.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Chairperson - Mason Harms
Develop and support the recruitment and retention of small businesses and entrepreneurs; to develop a culture that encourages entrepreneurship and small business growth.
Industrial & Large Business
Co-Chairperson - Dave Kingland
Co-Chairperson - John Roisen
Expand the industrial and large business base in Forest City; to diversify by size and type of industry.
Professional & Educational
Co-Chairperson - Steve Bakke
Co-Chairperson - Ray Beebe
Attract medical, dental, legal, accounting, and other professionals; as well as, facilitate interaction and development with Waldorf College and Forest City School Systems.
