Central Iowa Press photos/John Speer Susan and Ryan Crain, “Barb” wire Ranch owners (center, right) were the gold award winners in the quarterly Tama County Economic Development Pitch and Build competition on Tuesday, April 26 at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center. Heath Kellogg (left) Tama County Economic Development executive director also presented silver awards to Ken and Robyn Midyett who plan to open “The Nest” Bed and breakfast in Dysart and to Kyle Hopkins, owner of AQUADAR?Technologies. In center of photo is Haley Shope, South Tama High School FFA member who was a speaker for Pitch & Build. She related the experiences of a group of FFA students who were sponsored by the Tama County Pork Producers on an agricultural tour in Florida.

By John Speer

Central Iowa Press

jspeer@tamatoledonews.com

“A very, very good night,” were Tama County Economic Development Director Heath Kellogg’s words describing the quarterly Pitch and Build contest sponsored by his office. Three project pitches vied for the gold in an outcome which was almost unheard of close, Kellogg said.

The judges, Tama Co. Economic Development Chair Mike Carnahan, Tama, member Carl Zoffka, Garwin and Lyle Niemeyer, Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Marshalltown, “had their work cut out for them,” Kellogg said.

Making pitches were Robyn and Ken Midyett, who are in the process of renovating a large Dysart home for “The Nest,” a bed and breakfast operation; Susan and Ryan Crain, Toledo, owner operators of “Barb” wire Ranch, a therapeutic horseback riding program; and Kyle Hopkins, Dysart, both a consultant for home and commercial energy evaluations and director for AQUADAR, an innovative system for air conditioning using chilled beams.

And, as usual, you must go inside to find out who took home “the gold.”

The Pitches–

“Barb” wire Ranch

Bringing years of experience with a therapeutic horse-related operation from her former home in Minnesota, Susan Crain joined forces with her husband, Ryan, for “Barb” wire Ranch on the outskirts of Toledo in December, 2104.

Just the name of their ranch tells a story. Ryan’s mother, Barb, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2014. This prompted the couple to name the ranch after her and get the program going, they said. Barb was able to see it in its early stages before her death in June, 2015.

Their therapeutic riding program is geared for persons with a wide range of disabilities, physical as well as mental. From young children to military veterans, the Crains say they have program to aid all.

Susan said one example of its success is with a young girl who was not responsive to many everyday things. After being mounted on a horse for a ride and making three rounds of a track, she showed signs of happiness and bonding with the horse.

The Crains said one of their goals form the onset has been an indoor arena which will allow therapy session year-round, not just during good weather.

They were able to report at the Tuesday night at the Pitch and Build competition that dream was being realized later last week when construction of a 96 ft. x 50 ft. area was set to begin.

The Crains said the help they receive from a corps of local volunteers in providing the service has been invaluable. With Ryan’s father, Rex, assisting with some of the work also, they have been able to transform their acreage into the “Barb” Wire Ranch which they hope to continue to operate and expand.

More:www.barbwireranch.net

AQUADAR

Technologies

Kyle Hopkins

Perhaps catching those attending a touch by surprise, Kyle Hopkins, Dysart, launched into an explanation of evaluating the cooling needs of marijuana growers in their growing rooms. Now this isn’t something he’s doing for those with a basement set up. Rather, he was addressing the needs of the commercial cannabis industry in Colorado and Washington states, where those licensed can grow legally.

Promoting a “chilled beam” system under the company name AQUADAR, Hopkins said the concept is basically “using water to heat and cool.”

The chilled beam products he represents are built in Thailand and shipped to the U.S. for assembly. Kyle said some buildings have been retro-fitted with the systems which he maintains operate much more efficiently than conventional ones.

With a dual focus, Kyle said the energy efficient audits he offers are priced and one-half as much as others.

During questioning, Kyle said he believes his enterprise could benefit Tama County by hiring employees to evaluate the audits and possibly for system assembly.

More: www.aquachilledbeams.com

“The Nest”

A 30-plus year nursing career of which Robyn Midyett is ready to slow down from combined with a job transfer from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo for her husband, Ken, is soon to lead the couple into the bed and breakfast business in Dysart.

Robyn has already made something of a second career out of re-purposing furniture and accessories, something she plans to continue with in furnishing “The Nest.”

It is a five-bedroom home at 401 Clark Street in Dysart upon which the couple is closing on in early. The Midyetts told Pitch and Build attendees they plan to do extensive work on the property and have it up and ready to go by July 1.

Ken is in the commercial electrical business and said he plans to rely upon a few of his fellow contractor friends to help with the mechanical end of the renovations.

The couple is relocating to Dysart and will live in the new bed and breakfast.

“I’m amazed at how everyone in Dysart has been so helpful,” Robyn said.

“We want to be a showcase for Dysart,” Robyn said of their plans. Known for its tourist and shopping trade in a number of speciality shops and stores, the Midyetts believe their new accommodations will compliment the existing businesses.

They said their goal is to average a “guest room” a night or 365 rentals in their first year of operation.

One marketing took they plan to implement is to work with Robyn’s nursing profession to offer bed and breakfasts to employees of the month.

And the winner by a “hair” – the Crain horses. Susan and Ryan Crain were awarded the “gold” while silver awards went to both runner-ups ups, Robyn and Ken Midyett and Kyle Hopkins.

Heath Kellogg said a closer finish was a rarity in the ongoing Pitch and Build competition if it had been this close, ever.