Q: What is Midwest Partnership, and how is it different than the Panora and Lake Panorama Area Economic Development Group?
A: Midwest Partnership is an economic development corporation serving Adair and Guthrie counties and serves as a facilitator for the retention, expansion and attraction of business to create jobs and grow the tax base. The Panora and Lake Panorama Area Economic Development group serves as the economic development organization in the Panora and Lake Panorama area. The group traces its roots in Panora to the 1980s and even earlier, beginning as an informal group of business leaders looking to attract, support and grow area businesses and promote housing.
Q: Where is the Calmer Subdivision plat that I keep reading about?
A: The Scott and Joyce Calmer minor subdivision is officially located in Section 29 Township 80N Range 30W, which is near Highway 4 north of Panora. The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors approved the subdivision plat in their Jan. 27 meeting. Documents state that the property is intended for commercial (storage) use.
Q: When will RAGBRAI stay over in Guthrie Center, and how might that affect Lake Panorama?
A: RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. This year’s ride will be July 18-25. Guthrie Center was named the Day 2 (Monday, July 20) overnight community. Other overnight communities named include Onawa, Harlan, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence, Dyersville and Dubuque.
The route will leave Guthrie Center and go through Panora on its way to Boone, but the exact route has not yet been announced. Details to come.
From a community standpoint, we expect some groups will use this for fundraising opportunities in Panora. From a lake operations standpoint, LPA General Manger John Rutledge told us: “Our team will plan ahead to minimize the need for us to haul our equipment along the bike route. If a time sensitive project arises, we will either go around the north end of the lake or simply proceed with the patience required to ensure safety for all involved.”
Some riders may choose to stay with Panorama family and friends on Monday night.
“For those that do so, we will encourage them to trailer their bikes to and from their lodging to an on-route location, so they have the benefit of the official RAGBRAI traffic control and support,” Rutledge said.
Rutledge also encourages the LPA membership to be mindful of how this could impact their morning commute and plan ahead.
“Traffic on a Monday is reasonably well-timed for Panorama, versus what we might expect on a Friday,” he said.
Q: How much will those new homes in Panora by the school go for?
A: Groundbreaking occurred on Jan. 21 for five new homes being built at Dream Acres in Panora by Origin Homes. The homes will be on West Clay Street, near downtown Panora and the Panorama schools. The new homes will be on the north side of Clay Street with house numbers of 301, 303, 305, 307 and 401. Origin Homes, based in Des Moines, builds homes of various designs with the five planned in Panora priced between $312,700 and $364,000. Homes are expected to be completed in mid-summer 2026. The homes will all be three- and four-bedroom ranches with two-car garages, some with finished basements, and a range of 1,300 to 2,400 square feet. If interested buyers reserve a home in the early stages of construction, Origin can customize finishes, siding colors and more inside and outside of the home.