Home Care In Swisher, IA

Central State Bank and its parent company, AJJ Bancorp, Inc., announced its acquisition of Swisher Bancshares, Inc. and Swisher Trust & Savings Bank.

“Central State Bank has operated as a family owned, community bank for almost 90 years, proudly serving both the metro and rural communities in which we operate," wrote Greg Johnson, CEO of Central State Bank, in a press release. "The geographic location of Swisher fits well with Central State Bank’s current footprint and allows us to deepen our roots in the (c)orridor."

While they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Swisher and its subsidiary, the transaction is still subject to regulatory and Swisher shareholder approval. The transaction to expected to close in late 2018, according to a press release from Central State.

"For us it was about finding a good partner," said Phil Reed, chairman of the board for Swisher Trust & Savings Bank. "Swisher Bank is a mirror image of Central State Bank. They are just a lot bigger. They are a community bank."

Once the deal closes, Swisher Trust & Savings Bank will join Central State Bank's network of branches in Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Walford, Elkader, Marquette and McGregor. Located just one mile west of Interstate 380 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Swisher has been offering banking services in Swisher, Iowa, since 1913.

Trending towards bank consolidation

John Sorensen, CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association, said that while all mergers are informed by their management and shareholders, Central State's acquisition of Swisher does fit in a 10-year trend since the financial crisis.

"The regulatory climate encourages consolidation," Sorensen said. "We just observed the tenth anniversary of the financial crisis and Dodd-Frank, which was the comprehensive financial law that was passed in 2010. ... That impacts the size required of an institution to be able to assimilate those regulations into the operation."

Sorensen explained that as regulations have gone into effect, a common strategy for banks has been to increase the overall amount of assets through acquisition or other means so the bank is able spread out regulatory costs.

"(Banks generally) are making strategic acquisitions in different markets so they are diversifying their customer base a bit more to make healthier institutions, more able to withstand changes in parts of the economy," Sorensen said. "That diversification can make a stronger financial institutions."

Tech and competition

Sorensen mentioned two trends in Iowa that hasten bank consolidation. He said the popularity of mobile banking has pushed many banks to begin offering their customers options online.

"Mobile and online banking has become a lot more prevalent," Sorensen said. "Instead of investing in brick-and-mortar, a lot banks are investing in mobile online technology so they can serve customers in a way they would like to be served."

Reed said that while he has seen the growth in online banking, Swisher's adapting to it opened them to opportunities and greater service for their customers. But he noted that for bigger banks, there is an economy of scale; the costs associated with implementing and maintaining these mobile options are more easily managed by larger banks.

"Again, if you are a larger institution, oftentimes you are able to allocate those costs over a larger base," Sorensen said.

Sorensen — not talking about Swisher — said that smaller communities not located near urban centers have seen population declines over time as people centralize. The University of Wisconsin's data set on net migration for U.S. counties shows consistent losses from Iowa's more rural areas. For some less population-dense areas, that can lead to the closing of some branches and the consolidation of branches around certain areas.

"I will tell you, Iowa is a heavily banked state," Sorensen said. "It's why in almost every poll you will see, Iowa is typically rated in the top five states when it comes to a healthy banking environment, and when I say healthy, I mean competitive."

Sorensen said that the supply of banking options for customers means that Iowans have a great deal of rates, loans, deposits and fees to choose from.

"We have more bank charters per capita than any other state in the country," Sorensen said. "For a long period of time, that consistently increased. Branches were consistently growing. About 8 years ago, the numbers started to go the other direction. and decline.

In the last 10 years, the number of branches have fallen by about 100, according to number provided by the Iowa Association of Bankers. In 2007, there were 1,630 branches in the state. In 2017, there were 1538.

Rain fell during the morning commute Wednesday and finished up right before the lunch hour. Here's a continuation of rainfall totals from after 7 AM Wednesday, until rain ended:

A similar measure failed nearly two decades ago

Izabela Zaluska

SWISHER — Swisher voters rejected development of a public water system during a special election Tuesday.

The public measure, which needed 50 percent of votes to pass, failed with 401 voters — or 84.2 percent — voting “no.” A total of 75 voters — or 15.8 percent — voted “yes.”

A total of 476 residents voted in the special election for 72.34 percent turnout, according to unofficial results.

The conversation to put this measure on the ballot was in light of anticipated growth, a desire to improve fire response, and concerns about contaminated water. The Jefferson-Monroe Fire Department is the only fire department in Johnson County without a public water system.

The city had a previous special election to develop a municipal water system in February 1999. The measure failed with 72 percent of voters voting “no,” and 28 percent voting “yes.” A total of 395 residents voted, according to Johnson County archives.

Only residents residing within Swisher city limits were eligible to vote in this election. Residents with a Swisher address who live outside of city limits were not part of the vote.

Most Swisher city residents are served by private wells, but the city does have some public water systems. There are seven public water systems and about 95 private wells.

In 2019, there was a renewed interest to explore the possibility of a municipal water system, and a water feasibility committee was formed.

Cedar Rapids-based HR Green was hired to evaluate alternatives for water supply, treatment, storage and distribution, as well as conduct a water system study. The firm explored what infrastructure would be needed to move forward with a public water system if approved by voters.

HR Green hosted public information meetings about the $19.2 million project. Residents raised concerns at these meetings about the project costs, user rates and other uncertainties.

Swisher resident Chad Velvick said Wednesday one of the main reasons he was against the measure was the cost. He said other residents were also worried about the unknown monthly expenses.

Velvick created the Swisher City Water Forum page on Facebook in early February as a way for residents to communicate ahead of the vote and engage with one another about what they’ve heard and their questions. The group had just under 240 members ahead of the special election.

“If the message of the proposal had stayed consistent, it would have been a little bit easier to maybe discuss that part, but it moved a little bit, so people really didn't know what they were going to end up paying,” Velvick said.

Velvick also mentioned another factor residents were uncomfortable with was the amount of time to digest the information. It was about seven weeks from the first city mailer to the special election.

“The cost and the speed was just very worrisome,” Velvick said.

Swisher Mayor Chris Taylor previously told The Gazette that the questions and concerns brought up during the water discussion — such as improving fire response and addressing contaminated water — will still need solutions if the vote fails.

Taylor said on Wednesday the results showed that for some of the issues, like contaminated water, residents would prefer to address them as individuals rather than collectively as a city.

“I think the city will need to look at those problems with that in mind,” Taylor said.

Taylor added the city council will need to look at lessons learned, resident concerns and the research that has been done over the last three years as they discuss next steps.

“One thing that we can do now to help put the city in stronger position if this does come up down the line is to keep a record of what happened this time around,” Taylor said, adding the city didn’t have much information from the 1999 vote.

By keeping an archive of information, Taylor said his hope is that it will be helpful for future city leaders to see what residents were concerned about and the questions that came up. The city will need to wait at least four years before the issue can be put on the ballot again.

“That will enable those future leaders of the city to be better prepared to address some of the questions that are bound to come up every time this comes to a vote,” Taylor said.

“Regardless of the outcome, I absolutely think it was time to once again put it to voters and just see what they wanted to do next,” Taylor added.

Comments: (319) 339-3155; [email protected]

Land in Johnson County seen as ripe for development

Tom Barton

SWISHER — Drivers traveling on Interstate 380 likely have noticed the grading equipment moving dirt at a site east of the interstate and north of 120th St. NE near Swisher.

Grading also has commenced to the west of the Swisher/Shueyville exit off I-380, between the interstate and Highway 965, and north of 120th Street NW.

Development plan near Swisher and Shueyville

This map shows the development planned east of Interstate 380, just north of the Swisher-Shueyville entrance ramp. Curt Eilers of Cedar Rapids plans to build a commercial self-storage facility (top) on 6 acres. He also has applied to subdivide roughly 14 acres to the south of the storage facility into four lots for eventual sale and development.

Developers are in the throes of prepping the land around the undeveloped interchange to make way for a new RV center and repair shop, a commercial self-storage business, and commercial buildings offering office, warehouse and shop space for contractors.

Curt Eilers, a commercial property owner and real estate developer with Venture Real Estate in Cedar Rapids, secured a conditional use permit from Johnson County to build a drive-up, commercial self-storage facility just east of I-380, north of the Swisher/Shueyville exit.

It will be climate controlled, with RV and boat storage canopies on a 6-acre lot.

Eilers also has applied to subdivide roughly 14 acres of the 20-acre farm property to the south of the storage facility to create four buildable lots for eventual sale or development. The application also calls for the creation of stormwater detention facilities and a new frontage road with access to 120th Street.

“It was poor farm ground,” with a corn suitability rating, or CSR, of 47, Eilers said.

A CSR rating of 65 or above typically indicates productive farmland with soil considered fertile ground for row crops.

“So I didn’t feel too bad about taking it out of production,” Eilers said. “It’s right off the interstate. It’s never going to be peaceful and quiet, and it’s poor soil. So it seemed like a pretty prime candidate for commercial (development).”

Light-industrial zoning

Johnson County officials agreed, granting a zoning amendment to reclassify the property south of the planned self-storage facility from agricultural to light-industrial use.

“There’s not a huge number of places in the county where light-industrial zoning is allowable,” Johnson County Planner Joe Wilensky told The Gazette.

“The location here is pretty good for that kind of use, with I-380 and a lot of paved roads in the area. It’s a good spot for more commercial and more industrial uses than other, more rural parts of the county — which is reflected in the land use plan for that area.”

Wilensky noted property just to the west, on the other side of the interstate, is similarly zoned for commercial and light-industrial use.

“It’s a good spot for more intense use,” he said.

Need for storage

Eilers plans to put three 10,000- to 12,000-square-foot commercial buildings immediately to the south of the self-storage facility that offer office, warehouse and shop space available for contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers and other skilled tradesmen to lease or rent.

He said many contractors are searching for secure off-site storage for construction materials amid supply chain challenges. Many are buying their materials up front and/or in bulk to alleviate problems of not having them when they need them.

Eilers said the property provides a convenient, centralized and easily accessible location for contractors and tradesmen to bring equipment and material to the job site from storage, be they working in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo or elsewhere in the region.

He said the self-storage building will be fenced and gated and have controlled access, video surveillance and “high security.”

He said he intends to market the rest of the lots for build-to-suit commercial buildings.

He said the plans for the southern portion of the property, closer to 120th Street NE, are tentative, but early conceptual designs show the possibility of an indoor trampoline park.

“It’s still pretty fluid,” he said.

Prime location

Eilers said the land around the I-380 interchange is primed for the development of gas stations, restaurants, motels, event centers, dealerships, light manufacturing and warehouse, distribution and trucking services because of its visibility and accessibility to I-380, which is slated to be widened from 120th Street north through Wright Brothers Boulevard in Cedar Rapids.

More than 90,000 people drive that section of Interstate 380 every day, according to Iowa Department of Transportation data.

“And with more traffic coming on I-380 and all the development around The (Eastern Iowa) Airport and Wright Brothers Boulevard to the north and on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids,” the corridor affords businesses added visibility and accessibility to existing and future customers, Eilers said.

West of I-380

On the other (west) side of the interstate, work is underway to prepare for the construction of an RV center and truck repair shop.

Todd Phillip, president of Auto Truck Center in Cedar Rapids, plans to relocate to and combine the company’s RV sales, service and repair business in a larger, more visible location at 2612 120th St. NW near Swisher.

The company, which sells fifth wheels, toy haulers and travel trailers from a number of manufacturers, operates a main sales lot and repair shop at 941 66th Ave SW in addition to a repair shop in Walford.

“We’ve been in business for 45 years … and had problems with people knowing where we’re at and who we are,” Phillip said. “It will be so more advantageous to the business” to be in a highly visible, highly traveled spot where it can consolidate operations to one location.

He said the company plans to build a 42,000-square-foot building, roughly twice the size of the company’s current building.

RV sales surged in 2020 amid pandemic travel limitations — providing the comfort of home with the benefits of the outdoors, with less of the stress, worry and cost of booking a flight and hotel room during COVID — and hit a record high in 2021.

While the industry’s unprecedented pandemic boom has cooled, Phillip said retail demand remains steady.

“Sales have slowed. Interest rates caused some heartache, but not a lot,” he said. “I forecast a lot worse that what we have seen.”

He said he anticipates a 30 percent increase in business due to the new location.

“I think the growth there will be tremendous just by the fact that you’re able to be seen my so many more people,” Phillip said. “We had been a word-of-mouth operation for 45 years, with some advertising. It will be so more advantageous to the business.”

He anticipates 10 to 15 jobs — ranging from RV technicians, to truck/trailer technicians, salesperson and clerical staff — being added once the new location is up and running.

Phillip said he’s hoping the new RV center and repair shop would open in late 2024 or early 2025.

The development is the first planned on 60 acres located next to the I-380 interchange that was rezoned earlier this year from ag dwelling to highway commercial and light-industrial use.

Phillip said plans also call for construction of a gas station and convenience store at 120th Street and Highway 965 sometime in 2025.

‘Economic engine’

Eilers, the Cedar Rapids real estate broker, said his plan is to begin constructing the frontage road east of the interstate and solicit bids to build the commercial self-storage facility this spring, and work his way to the south developing the rest of the property.

“Over the next five, 10, 20 years, this whole corridor is going to be an economic engine for the area,” Eilers said. “

Comments: (319) 398-8499; [email protected]

You can’t help but wish Nick and Rebekah Neuendorf well.

This young couple is putting sweat equity and modern marketing skill into reviving the 90-year-old DanceMor ballroom in Swisher, the last of its kind to survive in this area.

Almost one year into the project, it’s so far so good.

The Neuendorfs reopened DanceMor last fall with Friday and Saturday night dances each weekend — a mix of country/western bands and vintage rock bands, mostly from around the region. Wednesday nights became popular for country line dancing with a DJ.

This fall, they’ve tweaked things a bit. They’ll still have a prominent live band on Saturday nights for adults, but will turn Friday nights over to teens. They say they are working to learn what audiences want.

“We want to provide an open, safe and fun place for kids to be on Friday nights,” says Rebekah. “They can get out of the house, play some games, have some snacks, maybe dance, maybe jam on our stage. We’ve got pool and darts and might put up a video gaming system.”

And country line dancing, she says, is as popular as ever, so the Wednesday night sessions are still on.

“When we took over, we were floored that line dancing is still such a big thing,” she tells me.

“I grew up line dancing at the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo,” she continued. “Both my young daughters are doing it and I love to see the older ladies draw them into the dancing. People from Dubuque to the Quad Cities drive here to dance. Sometimes we get nearly 100 people.”

The Neuendorfs are Iowa natives who were working as college financial aid advisers in Chicago when they decided to return to their home state and selected Swisher as their residence in 2012.

“We could hear the music from the deck of our house,” said Rebekah. “We could hear the bass bumping. So, we decided to check it out.”

They were impressed by the acoustics and the nostalgic atmosphere they found at DanceMor. Then the ballroom closed in 2014 with no buyer in sight. Four years later, the couple took the plunge into ownership, spent six months getting things ready and then opened for their first event.

They said the ancient, wood-framed building is basically in decent structural shape.

Nick spent nearly two months covering the insulation at the top of the peaked ceiling with black, sound-deadening fabric. They stripped the beams and removed large hanging decorative discs to give patrons a better view of the maze of old-style, crisscrossed beams supporting the roof.

“This old floor’s got a lot of character,” Nick adds, pointing to the hard maple wood installed when the place opened in 1929 as the Swisher Paramount Pavilion. The dance venue was originally open to the sky with only a picket fence surrounding it. Dancers sometimes came by horse and buggy or the train, which unloaded passengers just a few steps from the front entrance.

A roof — but no side walls —was added in 1932 and the venue was renamed the Swisher Pavilion. When removing decorations last year, Nick was excited to uncover a date apparently scrawled by a workman of the era which said “April 15, 1932.” The building was enclosed later, and expanded with an addition.

“Admission was 25 cents when it first opened,” says Nick. “Then it dropped to 10 cents and then five cents during the Great Depression, then it was whatever you could afford.”

The couple also found an old custom-built shoe rack in the building.

“People would check the shoes they wore here and take a number,” says Rebekah, “then change into their dancing shoes.”

The stage is the same as it was 90 years ago, as are most of the booths surrounding the dance floor. The old wooden beams above echo with the spirit of an earlier generation. They danced to the live music of Lawrence Welk, Conway Twitty and other big name performers back in the day.

“So many people have come up to us and said things like, ‘I met my husband for the first time here at booth No. 11 and we had our first cocktail,’” said Rebekah.

The DanceMor has never been open in summer, say the owners, because old ballrooms without air conditioning do not fare well in the hot months.

“The previous owner, Craig Davis, used to put a sign on the door that said: ‘Gone fishing. See you in the fall’,” she said.

However, the current owners host a summer yoga class each Wednesday morning before the sun heats things up in the ballroom.

“It’s not new and it’s not fancy,” Rebekah concluded. “It’s about the nostalgia. You stop and take a long look around you out there on the dance floor. You go back in time.”

Nick estimates there were nearly 100 thriving ballrooms in Iowa at one time, but it’s said only about 20 survive today. The DanceMor was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

The Neuendorfs want to preserve what originally helped put Swisher on the map and promote their community as well. Rebekah is even a member of the town council.

“We’re only the third family to own this place in 90 years,” Nick said. The Frank Stangler family owned the original structure, then it was owned and operated most recently by the Harold Davis family.

“Who knows,” he added. “Maybe our family will run it for the next 40 years.”