Homers -- What's going right

MORE WIND POWER: Welcome MidAmerican Energy's plan to invest $1.9 billion - without state subsidies or tax credits - to install 656 more wind turbines in Iowa. The company says the project won't add any net cost for customers and will stabilize long-term rates. State officials say the expansion will provide more than $360 million in new property tax revenue over the next 30 years. Our concern is whether the transmission grid will be able to efficiently accommodate the additional electricity.

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THE NEW WESTDALE: The Frew Development Group's $90 million redevelopment plan announced last week clearly will transform Westdale. The long-struggling old mall will become an open-air area with a pedestrian plaza. Anchor stores Younkers and JCPenney will be joined by other retailers, and the plan offers much more, including a hotel, office space, housing, and restaurant and entertainment options.

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A BETTER WAY: Linn County engineer Steve Gannon is stretching local option tax dollars for road repairs by using “whitetopping” - concrete overlay, now price-competitive with asphalt, requiring less maintenance and lasting decades longer.

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