There is a new face in the Wright County Economic Development office. But Darrel Steven Carlyle’s face is not new to our county. For the past nearly four years, he was Belmond’s City Manager. He began his duties as the county’s economic development director on September 10. (Carlyle prefers to be called Darrel Steven). He comes with a variety of experiences which will serve him and the county well in the future.
“I have prior experience as a municipal management consultant,” Carlyle said. “I was also the Executive Director of the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce.” His strengths include good communication skills, as well as a background in municipalities and finance. He understands state and regional programs and brings connections with players across Iowa. As Carlyle said, many times, “It isn’t what you know. It is who you know.”
Former county economic development director, Dennis Bowman, who played a part in the hiring process, said, “Carlyle not only brings a wealth of experience, but he will also be able to be seamless in carrying forward the projects which are currently in the works.” Nearly a dozen applicants were part of the hiring process with two or three being interviewed.
Bowman continued, “He has already been part of a number of economic development board meetings and committees. The Wright County Board of Supervisors wanted someone with a lot of experience, and we believe we found it in Carlyle. He has the ability to promote business development in small communities. He is a good fit for us.”
So what does Carlyle see as his priorities? “I want to continue to work to recruit industry for the Agribusiness Park south of Eagle Grove. I’ll look to work with current industries across the county to retain them. I want to work closely with the three major communities and their chambers and organizations. I want to assist companies as they individually work to recruit and retain their employees.” He sees daycare and housing as needed to help attain that goal.
“We have been in the process of getting a daycare facility in Belmond for many months,” he said. “And Belmond is in the process of adding housing with a coming subdivision for eleven new homes.” The daycare center, ‘Colts Corner’ was recently awarded $400,000 of American Rescue Funds to aid in the completion of the center. Currently there are 17 families who drive from Belmond to Garner every day to secure daycare for their children. Carlyle is confident that will change once childcare is closer to home.
Belmond was successful in recruiting Comm 1, a company bringing fiber infrastructure to every residence in the community. “This kind of infrastructure is so vital as more and more people work from home,” said Carlyle. “Recently Comm 1 purchased majority stock in Goldfield Network Access, expanding its footprint across Wright County. It’s exciting news for all of us.”
The trail system in the county continues to be a priority, as it has been for a number of years. “A group of us meet monthly,” said Carlyle, “with Raejean Chapman as the chair of that committee. We are looking to expand the trail system between Belmond and Mason City. County Conservation Director Eric Rector is working with Cerro Gordo County, as together we apply for a DOT grant which would help make it happen.” The group is also working to make a trail a reality between Clarion and Lake Cornelia.
While Carlyle knows that his duties will expand in his role as development director, he also knows he can reach back to Belmond to help them complete some of the projects he helped with and is most familiar.
“I know that I have big shoes to fill after our loss of Cindy Litwiller (former director),” he said. “She was highly respected across the state of Iowa. We are also in the process of hiring a new Marketing Specialist. Sarah Holmes did a nice job for us and has moved on to another position. Applications are being taken currently until October 15.”
Carlyle resides in Belmond and is the father of one adult daughter. “My daughter, son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren currently reside in England, where my son-in-law is stationed,” he added.
“Good things are happening across Wright County,” said Carlyle. “We have a progressive Board of Supervisors. I look forward to working together with them and others to continue to make good things happen here.”
