Allamakee County Economic Development provides tour celebrating and educating about a variety of recent projects within the Waukon community
Economic development tour offers opportunity to view variety of local projects ... Allamakee County Economic Development coordinated a tour Wednesday, April 29 of a variety of recent and ongoing projects within the Waukon community relating to housing, business, conservation and municipal utilities, with more than 30 individuals from state and local government entities, economic development, education and the area business community in attendance. The tour, guided by Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Val Reinke, included eight different stops, such as the starting point of White Haus Social, a wedding and event venue pictured above, in addition to the new Peoples State Bank building pictured below that was completed and opened in February. Standard photos by Assistant Editor Joe Moses.
by Joe Moses
Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) coordinated a tour Wednesday, April 29 showcasing a variety of recent and ongoing projects relating to housing, business, conservation and utilities in Waukon. This tour was open to representatives and professionals from various entities including state and local government, economic development, education and the business community. Approximately 30 individuals along with ACED Executive Director Val Reinke traveled by bus between the eight locations visited in the Waukon area with several other individuals following and joining the tour via their own transportation.
The tour began at White Haus Social, a new wedding and event venue located in the northern portion of Waukon, with Reinke providing a welcome message and opening remarks relating to the tour. The 30-plus tour participants provided introductions individually with Kayley Hartman of White Haus Social then providing an overview of the planning and construction process relating to this business location which serves as a wedding and event venue for the local and tri-state areas.
Hartman, a sister of ownership partner Jess Jennerjohn, made note of a schedule conflict preventing Jennerjohn from being present for this portion of the ACED tour. Hartman discussed specifics relating to construction and design choices in addition to recognizing several entities and contractors that were instrumental in the planning and construction process including FreedomBank, Kurth Plumbing & Heating, Christensen Electric, Sweeney Builders, West Side Lumber and Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative, among others. Hartman discussed the first year of the venue’s operation and growth opportunities available relating to serving event needs for this area and beyond prior to those in attendance touring the venue.
The tour’s next stop was at what is known locally as the former “Bresnahan Property” in northwest Waukon, the site of the twin home/duplex project by Tailwind Capital Partners, LLC. Developer Ben Garrett with Tailwind Capital Partners, a Waukon native, discussed housing needs in the Waukon area with this twin home/duplex project made possible through a public and private development agreement with the City of Waukon.
Garrett noted that this project addresses a small portion of the overall housing need in the Waukon community, but provides an opportunity for an “empty nester” to downsize from a large family home, helping to churn the housing inventory and freeing up a home for the next family choosing to locate in Waukon. Garrett discussed the advantages of a single-floor duplex for those with limitations who choose to stay in their own space. He also noted his interest in being involved with additional housing construction in Waukon and elsewhere in northeast Iowa.
The new Peoples State Bank (PSB) location on Rossville Road was the next stop on the ACED tour with Chief Lending Officer Duane Rogers providing a presentation relating to the bank’s history and banking trends locally and nationwide. As part of the bank’s history, Rogers covered the timeline of branch location openings in Iowa and Wisconsin with the branch location in Waukon opening in April 2023 at a rented facility on West Main Street prior to the construction of the new facility on Rossville Road which opened earlier this year in February.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, May 13, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
