U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Fairfield Dental Clinic of Jefferson County. Throughout the 119^th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“For nearly 40 years, Fairfield Dental Clinic has represented the professionalism, community spirit, and dedication that keep Iowa’s small business community smiling,” said Chair Ernst. “Dr. Jones, Dr. Holt, and their team have built a trusted practice rooted in quality care, local engagement, and a strong commitment to serving families across Jefferson County.”

Co-owned by Dr. Pat Jones and Dr. Matt Holt, Fairfield Dental Clinic serves the Fairfield community through a patient-centered approach focused on cosmetic and preventative dentistry and oral surgery. Dr. Jones joined the practice as co-owner in 2015, while Dr. Holt became co-owner in 2022 after previously serving patients in the community since 2013. Today, the clinic employs seven staff members while continuing to invest in renovations, updated technology, and improvements to better serve patients throughout southeast Iowa.

Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award.

Entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone considering a move to a new commercial space will have an opportunity to explore available properties in Mount Pleasant this afternoon.

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance and Main Street Mount Pleasant are hosting a Commercial Property Open House from 4:30 until 6 p.m. The event is designed as a self-guided tour featuring retail and office spaces currently available for lease or purchase throughout the community.

Property owners, managers, and real estate professionals will be stationed at participating locations to answer questions and provide information about each site.

Office properties on the tour include locations on West Broad Street, South Grand Avenue, North Main Street, East Madison Street, Taft Street, and South Cherry Street.

Retail spaces available for viewing include properties on East Washington Street, South Main Street, North Main Street, West Monroe Street, South Adams Street, and Taft Street.

Rachel Lindeen, Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Executive Vice President, says the event offers a chance for prospective business owners, expanding companies, and community investors to explore opportunities and learn more about commercial spaces currently available in Mount Pleasant.

The Commercial Property Open House runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today. For additional information, contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance or visit their Facebook page.

Residents interested in the future of healthcare in Keokuk will have an opportunity to hear directly from Insight Health Services during a public meeting next week.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Keokuk City Hall. Keokuk Mayor Mark Smidt is encouraging anyone interested in the future of local healthcare to attend.

Company officials are expected to provide updates on construction planning, state approval processes, and grant funding efforts tied to the proposed reopening of a hospital in Keokuk.

According to Insight, construction planning is currently being led by Carl A. Nelson & Company in partnership with local contractors. Current work includes finalizing construction drawings, completing code reviews, and submitting plans to the Iowa State Fire Marshal for approval.

Insight is also working to utilize funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program and Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Program to support facility improvements and physician recruitment.

The company’s goal is to reopen the facility as Iowa’s first Rural Emergency Hospital, providing emergency care along with outpatient services designed to meet the healthcare needs of the Keokuk community.

The public meeting will offer residents an opportunity to learn more about the project’s progress and ask questions about the future of healthcare services in the area.

Today is Election Day in Henry County, and voters will head to the polls to cast ballots in Iowa’s Primary Election.

Iowa operates under a closed primary system, meaning voters may only participate in the primary election of the party with which they are registered. However, voters registered with no party affiliation, as independents, or with another political party may change their party registration at their polling place today and immediately vote in that party’s primary.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Voters must cast their ballot at their assigned polling location and present an approved form of identification.

Polling places in Henry County include Wayland City Hall for Precinct 1, Winfield City Hall for Precinct 2, the Emergency Management Building on West Washington Street in Mount Pleasant for Precinct 3, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church for Precincts 4 through 7, New London Christian Church for Precinct 8, and the New London Community Center for Precinct 9.

Locally, the only contested county race is the Republican primary for Henry County Supervisor. Six candidates are seeking the party’s nomination. The winner will move on to the November General Election, where Democratic candidate Sam Riepe is already assured a place on the ballot.

In addition to local races, voters will decide party nominations for several statewide and federal offices, including Governor, U.S. Senate, and Iowa’s First Congressional District.

Election officials encourage voters to verify their polling location before heading to the polls. Unofficial election results will begin to be released after voting concludes at 8 p.m. tonight.

KILJ News will provide election coverage throughout the evening on 105.5 FM, and online at KILJ.com.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities is considering a long-term infrastructure partnership that would give the city a direct ownership stake in a major electric transmission facility.

The proposal was discussed during a special meeting of the MPMU Board of Trustees, where trustees approved a resolution setting a public hearing on a joint ownership agreement with Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI).

The action does not approve the project itself. Instead, it begins the public hearing process required under Iowa law before the utility can enter into the agreement.

The Goal: A More Direct Connection to the Power Grid

MPMU officials have indicated the project is intended to provide Mount Pleasant with a more direct connection to the regional electric transmission system.

Currently, the city receives transmission service through another entity. Utility officials believe a direct ownership interest in transmission infrastructure could improve system reliability and potentially reduce long-term transmission costs.

What Is Being Proposed?

The agreement centers on construction of a new electrical facility known as the Saunders Substation.

The project would include:

• A new 345-kilovolt to 69-kilovolt electrical substation
• Transformers and related electrical equipment
• New 69-kilovolt transmission lines
• A connection to Ameren’s nearby Coddington Substation

The facility would function as a major connection point between Mount Pleasant’s local electric system and the broader regional transmission network.

Who Would Own the Facility?

Under the proposed agreement, ownership would be divided between the two entities based on their financial contributions to the project.

Ownership shares would be:

• Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois: 80%
• Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities: 20%

That ownership percentage would also determine each party’s share of the facility’s transmission capacity.

What Capacity Would Mount Pleasant Receive?

The proposed facility would have a total capacity of two 50 megavolt-amperes, commonly referred to as MVA, a standard measurement used in the electric industry.

Ownership of transformer capacity would be as follows:

• Ameren: 80 MVA
• Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities: 20 MVA

The allocation of the transformer capacity will be for MPMU’s customers.

Who Would Operate the Facility?

Although Mount Pleasant would be a partial owner, day-to-day responsibility for the project would remain with Ameren.

The agreement designates ATXI as the project’s operating agent, giving the company responsibility for:

• Design and engineering
• Construction management
• Equipment procurement
• Operations
• Maintenance and repairs
• Future upgrades
• Eventual retirement of the facility

MPMU would retain its ownership interest while Ameren manages the facility’s ongoing operation.

Why Is a Public Hearing Required?

The resolution approved by trustees simply schedules the public hearing process required under Iowa Code Chapter 390, which governs municipal utility joint ownership projects.

The hearing will provide an opportunity for:

• Public review of the agreement
• Public comment on the proposal
• Legal compliance before the utility enters into the ownership arrangement

The Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board has set a public hearing for 5 p.m. June 16 at the Municipal Utilities Board Room, 509 N. Adams Street.

The board’s regular meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. June 16, immediately before the public hearing.