MATT OLIVER
Staff Writer

Wednesday morning was the Central Iowa Expo's ribbon cutting ceremony at the Farm Progress Show site. As the event kicked off, Central Iowa Expo President Darrel Rensink reflected on the recent success of American athletes in the Olympic games in Beijing, noting that teamwork is what brought the Farm Progress Show to Boone.

"We all have great reason to have a smile on our face," Rensink said. "It's a team that makes things work."
When thanking all of the organizations that contributed to the show's preparation, Rensink said other parts of the state can take a look at the team effort and ask, "How did they get it done?"

After months of preparation and the assistance of the Central Iowa Expo Board of Directors, Boone County Supervisors, Boone's Future, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Boone Administrator Luke Nelson, Mayor John Slight and the city council, Rensink explained everything was made possible.

"About 11 months ago there was nothing here," he said. "But what you see here today took place over 11 months, which is magnificent."

Rensink also praised Foth Infrastructure and Environment, for heading up the engineering efforts at the Farm Progress Show site.

"None of this could have happened without our engineers," Rensink said. "If there's an important part of our team, it's certainly our engineers."

Rensink then discussed funding and the significance it played in jumpstarting the Central Iowa Expo's plans to secure the Farm Progress Show in Boone. One vital contribution was a $5 million loan guarantee from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"It was necessary for us to secure funds or at least going out to get commitments," he said. "Every piece has an important part and the USDA made this all possible."

Also on hand were members of the Iowa Legislature who helped make the show possible, including Iowa Senate Democratic President Jack Kibby, State Representative Donovan Olson, D-Boone, State Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone and State Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames.

"It's not just the fact that we were rewarded the $250,000, but the fact that they networked to bring in the support," Rensink said.

Farm Progress Show National Sales and Events Director Don Tourte concluded the ribbon cutting ceremony with a positive outlook on the upcoming show.

"It's really special being back here in central Iowa," Tourte said. "I really believe in my heart that this is a great day for central Iowa and the state of Iowa."