John Anderson and Becky Halling pictured above

Four organizations from Perry came together on Tuesday to present updates to the community.

The 2nd Annual Perry P.O.W.E.R. Hour was held at Hotel Pattee, featuring the Perry Parks and Recreation Department, the Perry Community School District, the Perry Economic Development, and the Perry Chamber of Commerce.

First was the Parks and Rec Director John Anderson and Assistant Director Becky Halling that shared how the organization was renovating the Floyd Foster VFW 2060, then the recent completion of the Mini-Pitch Court that will having a ribbon cutting on Saturday, several improvements at the McCreary Community Building to better accommodate guests, plus Anderson touched on transforming an old homestead into an orchard at Perkins Park, after a resident’s raspberry bushes were destroyed.

“We put a whole bunch of blackberries and raspberries back in that house foundation. In that conversation, we generated some interest from Drake University. So we started in a Drake graduate class, they had species, diversity, there’s cherry trees, there’s all sorts of different types of apple trees, pear trees, there’s apricot trees, there’s a wide variety (of trees).”

Halling finished off with highlighting an indoor training facility for participants and a maintenance building to store equipment. Next up was Perry School Superintendent Clark Wicks who went through all the Homecoming events set up for this week. He said an area of emphasis the school district was pushing this year is providing students with the best education possible.

Third in line was Perry Economic Development Treasurer Eddie Diaz, who spent time discussing the new companies of M&R Properties, A.D.R. Axles USA, and JBS Prepared Foods that are soon to come to the community. Specifically, he explained that M&R will have two 12,000 square foot facilities beginning operation in December, that A.D.R. Axles will be breaking ground in October, and JBS Prepared Foods will build a $130 million state of the art structure, which will eventually bring 500 jobs to Perry.

Lastly, Perry Chamber Director Lynsi Pasutti went through all the accomplishments the organization has seen throughout the past year, including that there are 156 members, there’s been seven ribbon cuttings this fiscal year, and that over $2,100 of chamber bucks have been purchased. She added that the chamber is working on several upcoming events with Spooktacular in October, the Lighted Parade in November, the Peppermint Walk in December, and the 49th Annual Bike Ride to Rippey in February of 2026.

Clark Wicks (below)

Eddie Diaz (below)

Lynsi Pasutti (below)