The Grinnell Rotary Club held its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Following the opening of the meeting, members shared good news and club business. The speaker for this week’s meeting was Sam Cox, Mayor of Grinnell, Iowa.
Mayor Cox was raised in Grinnell, Iowa where she graduated with the Class of 1987. She went away to college and came back to settle down in Grinnell. She spent a lot of time working in retail, real estate, and for the past 14 years, owning and operating Saints Rest Coffee House on Broad Street.
Mayor Cox went on to describe some of the larger projects under way such as the new water tower and the water plant. The water tower, at the southern end of East Street, will be going up in May 2026. Arrangements are being made for having bleachers to watch the tower being hoisted up and affixed to the top of the tank shaft. The new water plant will be providing water starting in January 2027, with full operation by July.
Mayor Cox then updated us on another big project, the Veterans Memorial Monument. Details of some of the fabrications in the project can be found on the Facebook pages. Some of the bits and pieces are being manufactured in Chicago. Installation will be in May of this year. The dedication will be part of the 4th of July celebration.
Mayor Cox was raised in Grinnell, Iowa where she graduated with the Class of 1987. She went away to college and came back to settle down in Grinnell. She spent a lot of time working in retail, real estate, and for the past 14 years, owning and operating Saints Rest Coffee House on Broad Street.
Mayor Cox went on to describe some of the larger projects under way such as the new water tower and the water plant. The water tower, at the southern end of East Street, will be going up in May 2026. Arrangements are being made for having bleachers to watch the tower being hoisted up and affixed to the top of the tank shaft. The new water plant will be providing water starting in January 2027, with full operation by July.
Mayor Cox then updated us on another big project, the Veterans Memorial Monument. Details of some of the fabrications in the project can be found on the Facebook pages. Some of the bits and pieces are being manufactured in Chicago. Installation will be in May of this year. The dedication will be part of the 4th of July celebration.
More news: The stoplights at 5th Avenue and West Street will be removed. The Iowa DOT has determined that there is not enough cross traffic to keep a light there.
Another big project is on 16th Avenue. Work will be taking place on Penrose for the new elementary school. Ground breaking will take place on April 29th.
The Grinnell Police Department, which has been understaffed for a very long time, recently extended offers to two candidates. This will bring the department up to 10 officers. Discussions are underway to add another officer.
Mayor Cox said that sidewalks are an issue to her because she walks everywhere possible. There is discussion about better lighting on 10th Avenue for reasons of safety. This includes for people from town walking in the evening as well as students from Grinnell College.
The Grinnell Police Department, which has been understaffed for a very long time, recently extended offers to two candidates. This will bring the department up to 10 officers. Discussions are underway to add another officer.
Mayor Cox said that sidewalks are an issue to her because she walks everywhere possible. There is discussion about better lighting on 10th Avenue for reasons of safety. This includes for people from town walking in the evening as well as students from Grinnell College.
May Cox’s presentation appears on the Rotary Club of Grinnell website in the section labeled “Stories, April 14, 2026.” Grinnell Rotary Website https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1642
If you are interested in learning more about membership in the Rotary Club of Grinnell, the club meets every Tuesday evening at 5:30 at West Side Family Restaurant.
Peter Jackson.
