HUGE crowd attends Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum in Lidderdale

The large number of Carroll County residents attending Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forums continues to impress. More than fifty were in Lidderdale this morning to question Representative Rod Roberts and Senator Steve Kettering on topics ranging from texting to tax credits to state budget matters.
Click here to see video that shows the level of audience participation and the thoughtful answers by the legislators.

Hoop It Up Is This Weekend

The 4th Annual Hoop It Up Basketball Tournament is Saturday and Sunday with 4-9th grade boys action from around the state. Hotels are booked, restaurants are prepared and the Hoop It Up committee is ready for an influx of people coming into Carroll for the weekend. We have teams coming from: Dakota City, Remsen, Clive, Marcus, Mason City, Ft. Dodge, Treynor, Red Oak, Manning, Spirt Lake, Council Bluffs, Altoona, New Hampton, Des Moines, Humboldt, Urbandale, Ionia, Garner, Schaller, Harlan, Webster City, Nevada, McGregor, Bondurant, Creston and Sutherland.

If you are wondering what the Tiger and Knight teams will look like in the future, come and watch this weekend, there will be 13 local teams participating in this tournament. Please join us to watch the exciting games. You can get the divisions and locations of all games at the Chamber website.

Community Quick Reference Guide

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce has just released it's
updated Community Quick Reference (CQR).

This is updated yearly and provides statistical information for Carroll.

This is also availabe at the Chamber office and on the

Chamber web site. Check it out!

Career Pathway Panels

Thank you to all the panelists that participated in the Chamber's Career Pathway panels that were presented Tuesday morning, February 23rd at both Carroll High School and Kuemper High School.  The panelists shared work experiences and career knowledge with sophomores in both schools.  Thank you for helping the students make educated plans for their future.  What a great experience you provided!

Health Sciences Pathway Panelists
Mary Ann Schulte, New Hope Village; Amy Broderson and Allen Cheney, St. Anthony Regional Hospital;
Nathan Caviness, Ohde Twit Funeral Home; and  Jim Feauto, Regency Park of Carroll

Lidderdale to Host February 27th Legislative Forum

The Lidderdale Community Building will be the site for the Saturday, February 27th Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum. Senator Kettering and Representative Roberts will inform the public on the status of the Race to the Top grant and give their insight on what the Republican Caucus' plan may be to solve Iowa's budget problem. Plan to attend Saturday's forum, 10-11 A.M., and present to our legislators any questions you may have.

Check Out This Workshop!

DESIGN YOUR BUSINESS FOR SUCCESS

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

Carroll Chamber of Commerce, Harold Bierl Community Room

407 West 5th Street

Is your business giving you what you want? Bob Clements with E-Myth Benchmark can assist.  Bob is a powerful and captivating presenter who will give you the help you need to challenge you to focus on running a productive, consistent and profitable business.  The presentation will only take 90 minutes of your time.  Click on the registration form to see how you can be a part of this workshop.

Congratulations Rob Whitham and Brown's Shoe Fit!

Rob Whitham, a Chamber of Commerce Board Director, was awarded the honor of "Store of the Year" for Brown's Shoe Fit in Carroll.  What a great honor he received at the company's annual banquet in Shenandoah!  As Rob and his wife Jill truly believe - "It's All Here"!  What a great testimonial for Carroll.

Congratulations to Rob Whitham, Manager/Owner and his staff!
Stephanie Buse and Scott Cullen
Latham Hedeen - Asst Manager, Taylor Ostrich, Rob Whitham - Manager/Owner, and Brett Claussen

Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum

Saturday, February 13 from 10-11 AM the Carroll Chamber of Commerce is holding its Legislative Forum at Carroll County Farm Bureau, 408 W 8th St. Senator Steve Kettering and Representative Rod Roberts will inform the public which bills passed the funnel and the status of the reorganization bill and its impacts for Carroll County. Bring your questions and comments as the legislators allow ample time for public participation.

2010 Carroll County Visitor Guides Available

Stop at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce office for your copy of th 2010 Carroll County Visitor Guide. The guide lists attractions and events; it informs our visitors of lodging, food, shopping and other fun reasons to come to Carroll.

Local residents us the guide to keep abreast of events in the area. This information will also appear on the Chamber's website and can be updated throughout the year with new events as they are scheduled.

If you would like a personal copy or if you want a supply for your business, stop at the Chamber today.

2010 Carroll Chamber Annual Banquet Highlights

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2010 Annual Banquet Monday, February 8, at the Carrollton Centre. Nearly 250 Chamber members attended the event which recognizes the outstanding achievements of 2009. Mike Franey 2009 Chamber President reviewed the past year's goals and accomplishments. Rob Cordes, this year's Chamber President highlighted the activities and plans for the upcoming year. Congratulations to all the award winners.

Chamber Presidents Mike Franey (2009)

and Rob Cordes (2010)

Jim Greteman receives Public Service Award

Outgoing Chamber Board Members Mark Nepple, Pat Ruhnke and Rich Hartley

Tony Wernimont and Natalie Bullock from Anytime Fitness

accept Chamber's New Business Award

Pete Collison, Kim Hackett and Neil Trobak

accept the Chamber's Heritage Business Award

Doug Burns, Ann Wilson and Tom Burns accept the Public Service Award

Holy Spirit Sister receive the Humanitarian Service Award

Freda Dammann from Manning, Iowa receives the

Good Neighbor Award

Videos

Jim Greteman accepts Community Service Award

Frieda Dammann of Manning accepts Good Neighbor Award

CADC President Gary Riedmann's Remarks

Provide your input for regional economic development planning

Region XII Council of Governments is preparing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) which will serve as the region’s economic roadmap for the next five years. Public participation is essential to creating the most complete and effective plan possible, so we are conducting a public opinion survey of residents and businesses in the region to see what people perceive as the best and worst elements of the local economy. The results will be used to develop specific action plans that build on existing community strengths and to determine weaknesses that must be addressed. They will also help to identify emerging opportunities on which to base the future prosperity of our communities.

The survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete, but the results will impact the direction of your community for the next several years. We ask that you take a few minutes to complete the residents survey and also forward this message on, encouraging your family and friends to participate by going to the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NG8TJC3. We ask that that you please complete the survey by February 26 so we will be able to use the results as we meet with public leaders to develop the plan.

We appreciate your interest in helping to shape the future priorities of your community. Should you have any questions regarding this initiative please do not hesitate to contact Chad Schreck at cschreck@region12cog.org or 712-775-7812.

Invest In Yourself Day at Pella Corp

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce was excited to be one of 20 agencies and organizations to be invited to the first "Invest In Yourself Day" at Pella Corp in Carroll on Thursday. The overall objective for the day was to allow Pella's team members to learn about different businesses and activities that are available to them in the Carroll area.

Thank you Pella for giving the Chamber of Commerce the opportunity to share information about our members to your team members.

Legislative Forum at IKM Manning High School Auditorium

An audience of 30 attended the Carroll Chamber of Commerce legislative forum at IKM Manning High School auditorium, Saturday, January 30. Senator Steve Kettering and Representative Rod Roberts answered numerous questions on Gov. Culver's budget proposal and the state's "Race to the Top" grant application to the U.S. Dept. of Education. Several questions were raised in reference to federal aid and the recent winter storms in December and January.