SPENCER, IA (Northwestiowanow) – A statewide workforce housing developer will visit Spencer Thursday to determine whether the community has a need for additional housing.

Urbandale-based Kading Properties recently launched its Hometown Tour initiative, which brings company leaders into communities across Iowa to meet with local officials, employers and residents while evaluating housing needs and future growth opportunities.

Chace Hauschilt with Kading Properties says the company created the program after hearing from communities struggling with housing shortages across the state.

 

During Thursday’s visit, Kading representatives will tour several community assets, including the Clay County Fairgrounds, Spencer Hospital, local schools, downtown Spencer, the aquatic center and industrial areas. The group will also hold discussions with employers and community leaders.

Hauschilt says the goal is to learn what makes Spencer unique.

 

 

Following tours in five communities this year, Kading officials will review the information gathered and determine which communities may warrant further consideration.

If Spencer is ultimately selected for a project, Hauschilt says any development would still be several years away.

 

 

Kading conducts five Hometown Tours each year. Hauschilt says roughly 75 percent of communities visited through the program have gone on to enter development discussions or active development phases.