Think Carroll 1st

I have been enjoying a bi-monthly newsletter, Business Record Iowa. It has tidbits and links to business news around the state. I always seem to find at least one article of interest. One that caught my eye awhile back was a discussion of buying local. The impulse for the article was a contract signed by the Iowa Department of Economic Development with an out-of-state firm to develop marketing objectives and strategies to attract business and industry to the state. Some think the department responsible growing the state's economy should only do business in Iowa. You can read the article here.

Be sure to read the comments section, where a number of readers share the view that buying local is not a entitlement of business, but that loyal customers are earned. A primary role of a Chamber of Commerce is be to help the local business realize this and understand how to put their business firstin the minds of customers, particularly local customers. Today's buyer is fickle enough... and certainly has enough demands on their time and attention, to be shamed or tricked in to buying local.

A second responsibility to business a Chamber has is to help local businesses get the message out to the consumer that selection, price and service are un-matched when you shop locally. Finally, there is a place for the Chamber make sure that residents understand that the more that is spent locally, the more the entire community prospers through additional employment, the multiplying effect of the local dollar spent, and additional tax revenue to keep the community vibrant and progressive.

Think Carroll 1st! Put local businesses to the test. Visit a local business the next time you're faced with a buying decision...Make them earn your business. You will be pleased with what you find, pleasantly surprised what you pay, and glad you made Carroll a little stronger all the while.

Chamber Welcomes Transcontinental Motor Convoy

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce was pleasantly surprised today when we received a phone call at 8:00 A.M. from organizers of MVPA 2009 Transcontinental Motor Convoy looking for a rest stop. The convoy was scheduled to pass through Carroll about 10:00 A.M. but due to the hot weather they decided to make short stop. In no time, plans were underway to welcome the convoy. Badding Construction offered their parking lot, Culligan donated bottled water, Hy-Vee donated ice, the media was notified of the change in plans and we made our restrooms available.
Previously the Boy & Cub Scouts lined the streets with American flags and our visitors from across the US were duly welcomed to Carroll. The hot and tired drivers had only driven from their overnight stay in Jefferson, but were ready for a break. They were having a great time in spite of the heat and dust. We took a lot of great photos, you can view them at www. http://www.carrolliowa.com/Convoy%20Pictures.htm

This group is retracing the route of the first US Army Transcontinental Motor Convoy across the United States along the Lincoln Highway. It is 3,250 miles and 62 days long.

Special thanks to Francie O'Leary, program manager at M & M Divide/RC&D and the City Police and County Sheriff's Department for their extra efforts on this project.

MidAmerican Energy Supports Cap, But Not the Trade

Here is an issue that business and industry in the Carroll Area should watch closely.

MidAmerican Energy, the electric provider in Carroll, is contacting economic development organizations in their service territory concerning proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act. In a discussion with company president Bill Fehrman last week, I learned about MidAmerican's position on the Waxman-Markey bill which would establish a cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

MidAmerican supports the 80% carbon emission reductions by 2050 called for in the bill. But the current level of emissions, already reduced by a significant commitment to wind energy generation, will cause the company to purchase allowances for emissions beginning in 2012.

MidAmerican believes the electric sector can achieve the 80% reduction in emissions by 2050, while avoiding the up-front costs of emissions allowances. The approach MidAmerican advocates would allow each state, through legislative action approved by the state’s governor, to select the option for its regulated utilities.

Either be subject to the federal allowance trading program or meet the federal CO2 emissions reduction goals by other means, such as using carbon dioxide (if the technology becomes available), retiring or changing the operation of fossil-fueled units. production would be replaced with zero carbon-emissions generation (renewable energy).

In contrast to a trading mechanism, this alternative would actually guarantee a reduction in carbon emissions and avoid the double jeopardy imposed on customers of having to pay both for allowances and replacement power, according to MidAmerican.


Read MidAmerican Energy Chairman David Sokol's recent article in the Washington Post:

Good Turn Out For Workshop

The Chamber had a good turn out for "When Conversations Turn Crucial" this morning at the Carrollton. Speaker Shirley Poertner shared insight on how our emotions effect our actions. She gave tips on how to use dialogue when conversations become crucial. Kelly Fischbach, Carroll Public Library Director was present for the workshop and has ordered 10 copies of "Crucial Conversations" in book form and one in CD form. If businesses or groups want to reserve them, check it out at the Carroll Public Library.

When Conversations Turn Crucial

Don't miss this fast pace and engaging workshop on Thursday, June 18th. Whenever you're not getting the results you're looking for, it's likely that crucial conversation is keeping you stuck. Whether it's a problem with poor quality, declining customer satisfaction, or a strained relationship - whatever the issue - if you can't talk honestly with nearly anyone about almost anything, you can expect poor results.

Shirley Poertner, Iowa's VitalSmarts Principal Associate, will share concepts and practices which help individuals achieve results while strengthening relationships. Learn insights and actions that you can use personally or share with others in your organization, to make it safe to talk with almost anyone about almost anything.

Click here to print the above registration form.

Mark Your Calendar

FREE Entertainment

featuring 3 local bands

Dude Mathias - Ferd the Snurd - Full Blown Woodies

1919 Military Convoy to Pass through Carroll

A bit of history will be visiting the area on Tuesday, June 23 as a 1919 Commemorative Military Convoy traveling across the country on the Lincoln Highway will be passing through Carroll and Crawford Counties and making a lunch stop in Denison. It is estimated that the military convoy will involve approximately 75 military vehicles and over 80 people. The military vehicles involved will cover all eras from World War I to current-issue military vehicles.

The convoy is noting the 90th anniversary of the 1919 Transcontinental Convoy and is being taken in conjunction with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission's celebration of the 200th birthday of our 16th president this summer.

The estimated time they will pass through Carroll is 10:00 a.m. and they are expected to pass through Westside and Vail before noon on June 23. For more information, visit their website http://www.mvpa.org/

Carroll - it's All here Business Spotlight

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring a joint image marketing campaign with Carroll Broadcasting Co and the Daily Times Herald. The Business Spotlight campaign offers Chamber member businesses a great marketing package through both medias. Call the Chamber to sign up (712-792-4383). The campaign begins July 6th. Call now to select your special week!

Carroll Farmer's Market

The Carroll Community is again fortunate to have the Farmer's Market beginning Wednesday, June 10, through Saturday, October 17, located in the Westgate Mall parking lot. This year 36 market dates are sheduled, lasting 2 weeks longer than previous years to accommodate the fall squash and pumpkin crop market. Markets will be from 3:30-6 PM on Wednesdays and 8:30-11:30 AM on Saturdays. There will be a market on Saturday, July 4. All vendors are welcome ranging from produce growers to arts and crafts. Fundraising events put on by the community are welcome as well as youth encouraged to put on demonstrations as learning experiences before the Farmer's Market crowd. A free sweet corn feed and pumpkin festival will be held in October. To reserve a spot in advance or any group interested in sponsoring or coordinating major events may contact the M&M Divide RC&D office at (712)792-4415.

Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Khruschchev's Visit to Iowa

More than 30 Iowa organizations are planning a state-wide commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s historic visit to Iowa—a visit that helped ease cold war tensions and created a new era of positive Iowa-Russia relations.

The centerpiece events will be a conference and banquet at the Hotel Fort Des Moines on August 28, and August 29th will be a celebration of Agricultural Progress Day in Coon Rapids, site of the historic Garst Farm. Participants will include Khrushchev’s son Sergei, Khrushchev’s biographer William Taubman, and high- level US and Russian agricultural officials.

For more information on the Anniversary, click on the Khrushchev link in the "Where to Go" section of this blog.