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Community Introduction

Government

A mayor-city council form of government attends to the needs of Mason City, where a professional city administrator attends to day-to-day operations. Separate police and fire departments take care of public safety in the cities of Mason City, Clear Lake and Rockwell, while county sheriff personnel patrol other parts of the county. A new state-of-the-art law enforcement center opened in 2007. City and county services include garbage and recyclables collection and water and sewer. Natural gas and electric services are also available to all residents and businesses.

Communications

Five area newspapers, one network television station and one public-access channel, eight radio stations, and cable and satellite services help to keep Mason City and the surrounding areas well-connected to the rest of the world. In addition, several Internet service providers offer dial-up, wireless broadband and DSL service.

Health Care

Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa is a nationally recognized medical facility that is well-equipped to handle any medical emergency. Several medical clinics and a large network of dentists, optometrists, chiropractors and mental health practitioners also work hard to keep residents healthy. The 911 emergency telephone system provides quick access to top-quality health care.

Education

Residents of Cerro Gordo County have a wide range of education choices. An excellent public school system is complemented by private schools in both Mason City and Clear Lake. In addition, four colleges in North Iowa offer job training and higher education: North Iowa Area Community College, Kaplan University, Buena Vista University and Drake University.

Transportation

Commercial flights to Minneapolis and charter air service are available through the Mason City Municipal Airport (MCW); rail, taxi and mass-transit services serve the entire county.

Business

Business thrives in North Iowa. Mason City is a regional trade center with strong business and industry sectors. Most workers stay close to home, commuting less than 15 minutes to work each day. Over 326,000 acres of Cerro Gordo County are devoted to farmland; major crops are soybeans and corn.

Entertainment

Art enthusiasts enjoy local museums, theaters, musical performances and historical architecture. The region is well-known for its musical heritage and musical celebrations such as the annual North Iowa Band Festival and the “50s in February,” as well as a wide range of sporting events.