Spring Spruce Up at the Chamber

Spring has sprung and you can tell if you have driven past the Chamber yesterday or today.  Trash recepticals have been installed near the Harold Bierl Community Room.  Good work Brian, they look great!

You will also notice the seatwall in front of the office has more bricks.  A new sign identifying the Chamber of Commerce should be completed by next week. 

Everyone driving by the Depot Plaza will see bronze letters and know that the Carroll Chamber of Commerce is located here.

Why the Census is Critical to Community & Economic Development

Census 2010 is under way. Forms were mailed to 120 million households about two weeks ago.  Thursday, April 1 is Census Day. This is the day that, ideally, all forms should be returned.

An accurate census count is critical to economic development for multiple reasons. Pass along to your employees and friends the importance of full participation to your community’s future well being.

Most people are aware that results are used to determine seats in the U.S. Representatives – critical to a community’s representation in the federal government. But did you know that accurate data are critical in deciding how more than $400 billion per year is allocated for projects and services such as roads, schools, hospitals and job training centers? That’s more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period. Just 100 uncounted people can mean the loss of millions of dollars for a community between 2010 and 2020.

Particularly important in this economic climate, accurate data are key to attracting new businesses and the development of existing businesses. Businesses and consultants use census data to research markets, plan investments, analyze trends, understand consumer needs, locate pools of skilled workers, plan marketing strategies, and more. Used to identify where to locate shopping centers, offices, factories and more, accurate data directly impact the creation of new jobs!

It only takes 10 minutes to fill out the form, and completed forms are confidential. Remind your employees and acquaintances to mail their completed forms as soon as possible.

Phase V Corridor of Commerce Project

 The City expects construction for Phase V of the Corridor of  Commerce Project to begin in June. Phase V of the project will covers the areas from the West edge of Carroll Street to the East edge of Main Street along Highway 30.  Proposed improvements include replacement of some or all of the curb, sidewalk, lighting, storm sewer and roadway.  The Corridor of Commerce Project has been successful in transforming the appearance of the community and has helped to bring more business to Carroll.  Click on the photo below to see the proposed design developed by Confluence the city's designer and landscape architecture firm.

DMACC honors workers for winter storm clean up

The Chamber Coffee on Friday, March 26 - was hosted by DMACC's Student Activities Council to honor those who worked so hard during the winter storms to clear roads and restore electricity to the area.

Chamber Friendly Award

Have you nominated someone for a Chamber Friendly Award lately?  There are many deserving employees working for Chamber members who extend extra effort and friendliness to customers.  How about honoring them with this award? They deserve it.

Chamber Staff Celebrates Their Heritage

Chamber staff took a little break on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their heritage.  Katie is 100% Irish and Sue is only 1/8th Irish. That is why Katie has the hat.

Welcome New Chamber Members!

Welcome to John and Kay Gradoville, owners of Graddy's Salsa & Tomatoes.  John and Kay grow pesticide free hydroponic tomatoes and make a fresh, Graddy's All Natural Fresh Salsa.

Welcome to Jean Ludwig, associate member.  Jean is a certified retirement counselor at BancWest Investment Services.

Welcome to Larry Olberding, president of J & L Storage, Inc.  He provides storage rental in two locations with several sizes to better serve your needs.

Welcome to Julee Grell and Tom Duncan of Carroll County ISU Extension.  The Extension builds partnerships and provides research-based learning opportunities to improve quality of life in Iowa.

CADC Pushes Hwy 30 Four-Lane Across Iowa

CADC President Gary Riedmann and members Gene Meiners (Carroll County Supervisor), Scott Wernimont (West Central) and Jim Gossett join Chris Whitaker (Region XII C.O.G.) and others from U.S. Highway 30 Coalition at the Capitol to lobby the legislature to four-lane Hwy 30 across Iowa.

Hwy 30 Coalition meets with Assistant Minority Leader Dave Deyoe (R), Nevada

Gene Meiners, Scott Wernimont, Chris Whitaker and Gary Riedmann listen to Rep. Deyoe talk about transportation issues.

CADC continues to advocate for Hwy 30 expansion to four-lane. State budget issues aside, it is important that transportation in general, and Highway 30 in particular are kept in the forefront in order for Iowa's economy to grow. The Highway 30 Coalition's members include community leaders from across the state. Much work needs to be done in order to complete the four-laning of Hwy 30.

Of the Coalitions top four priorities for segments of the highway to be improved, only the Glidden to Carroll segment is not currently in the Iowa Department of Transportation's 5-year plan. The Coalition will propose to the IDOT this spring that the Glidden to Carroll section be included in the plan, which will set in motion the steps necessary to realize a long-term goal of community leaders in Western Iowa: Better transportation access, improved safety and greater growth in our part of the state.

Iowa Department of Transportation

U.S. Highway 30 Coalition

Creighton Economist Goss provides accurate analysis of Midwest Economy

The Goss Institute for Economic Research

Follow Dr. Ernst Goss for clear, concise information about the Iowa and Midwest Economy. His website is linked above. His most recent edition of the mid-american states economic report is linked below. Here is what he has to say about the Iowa economic outlook:

Iowa: For the fifth time in the past seven months, Iowa’s Business Conditions Index rose above growth neutral. The index, a leading economic indicator from a survey of supply managers, jumped to 58.2 from January’s 52.1. Components of the overall index for February were new orders at 65.3, production or sales at 64.3, delivery lead time at 60.4, employment at 53.2, and inventories at 47.9. “Over the past year, Iowa has lost more than 17,000 manufacturing jobs, or more than 8.0 percent of its manufacturing job base. Almost 90 percent of the producer job losses were in durable goods manufacturing. Based on our surveys, I expect no more manufacturing job losses, and minimal overall job gains for the state in the second quarter of 2010,” said Goss.

February 2010 Mid-American States Economy

Ernest Goss is the MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Goss' research spans local, regional, and national perspectives with market analysis studies ranging from the impact of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, to the U.S. Olympic Trials. His regional and national impact is continuously rewarded throughout the nine state Mid American Regions and the three state Mountain region with recognition and media coverage of approximately 100 newspapers and over 90 radio stations. Dr. Goss has noted and quoted research that appears regularly in newswires and publications such as the New York Times, MSNBC, Investors Business Daily, Wall Street Journal, The Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Sun Times.

Carroll County Agricultural Scholorship

If you (or someone you know) live in Carroll County and will be atttending a post high school in an Ag-related field next fall you may be interested in the Carroll County Agricultural Scholorship.  Applications are available at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce office and from high school guidance counselors.  Scholarships are awarded annually.  Deadline to apply is Thursday, March 25th. This program is made possible through donations from Carroll area businesses and proceeds from a special 1987 livestock auction.

2009 Chamber President Mike Franey presenting scholarships to Ryan Schroeder and Joel Pudenz 2009 winners.

Connect Young Professionals Event

Meet the Members

Friday, March 26

5:30 Social / 6:30 Program

Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery

Featured Speakers:

Adam Haluska and Chuck Offenburger

CYP is for people ages 21-45 and is welcoming new members.

CYP is great way to network, meet people and

get involved in the community.

If you would like to attend the Meet the Members

event and learn more about CYP,

contact the Chamber office 712-792-4383.

St. Anthony Regional Hospital hosts Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum - March 13

St. Anthony Regional Hospital will host the next Carroll Chamber of Commerce legislative forum on Saturday, March 13 from 10-11 AM. This forum will be held in the St. Francis Room of the Education Center. (Park in the 2nd floor of the parking ramp and take the ramp elevator to the 4th floor). Hear what Senator Steve Kettering and Representative Rod Roberts have to say on how Carroll County will be impacted by the reorganization bill. In addition, find out what legislative issues are left to deal with.

32 Business People Receive Training

This morning Bob Clements from E-Myth Benchmark shared his expertise with 32 local business owners/managers at "Design Your Business For Success" workshop sponsored by the Carroll Chamber of Commerce. After explaining 5 core principles to follow in business, he related that there are three business personalities; the Entrepreneur, Manager and Technician and gave details of each.

Thank you Bob for coming to Carroll and I am sure our members participating in your workshop will implement some of the strategies you shared.

Business Outlook for Large Employers Strengthens

Iowa Business Council Releases First Quarter Results
The Iowa Business Council (IBC) released it's quarterly Economic Outlook Survey. See the news release and report here. The survey is conducted quarterly to inform Iowa businesses and iowans about projected trends in the state's economy, which may prove useful for business and economic planning purposes. Twenty corporate members of the Iowa Business Council were surveyed during the second half of February, 2010. Increased levels in sales, capital spending, and employment projected for the coming six months has moved the Outlook Survey Index to 54.3 (an index of more than 50 means respondents are positive about the economy. The chart below reflects the index over the last 10 quarters.
The Chamber shares this kind of information with readers of the Chamber Blog from time to time. For past posts, see  "Chart of the Week" under labels in the right column of this blog. Comment on this post and provide your thoughts. Do you think the economic outlook is brighter for Iowa, especially Western Iowa, over the next 6 months?

Carroll Magazine

It's Here - the 2010 Carroll Magazine

The Carroll Magazine provides a great snap shot of Carroll  

It is a quality publication and an exceptional marketing tool

for the entire community.  The magazine is filled with beautiful pictures

and valuable information that give people a feel for what it is like to live in Carroll.

 The Carroll magazine was produced through a partnership

with Carroll Chamber of Commerce, the Daily Times Herald

 and Stone Printing & Office Supply and made possible by the

advertising support of Chamber Member businesses.   

Stop in the Chamber office and pick up a copy for your business. 

Hoop It Up Attendance Tops 2,000

The 4th annual Carroll Chamber of Commerce Hoop It Up youth basketball tournament was a huge success and a positive tourism experience for Carroll. Local hotels were full, restaurants were packed, and local businesses were able to capitalize on all the fans in the stands checking out Carroll.

8th Grade Division Winners at Carroll High School.  Dee Gossett and Mike Soppe Site Coordinators

Trophies were presented to the winners and medals were presented to the 2nd place teams in each division.
Winners in each division include:
4th Grade - Carroll Knights 1st and Dallas Center Grimes Mustangs 2nd in pool play
5th Grade - 39 - 29 Mason City Hawks over Remsen St. Mary's
6th Grade - Spirit Lake Indians 1st and Carroll Knights 2nd in pool play
7th Grade - 45 - 33 New Hampton Renegades over Humboldt Wildcats
8th Grade - 47 - 30 Carroll Tigers 1st and Harlan Cyclones 2nd
9th Grade - 42 - 41 Creston Panthers 1st over Nevada Cubs 2nd

Good teams, good officiating, games running on time all made for a great weekend of basketball.  A special thank you goes to a fabulous committee. Kurt Baumhover Tournament Director, Troy Auen Committee Chair, Scott Tigges, Dave Holdsworth, Tom Duff, Kim Hackett, Jen Mosman, Amy Ross, Mike Soppe and Pat Venteicher.  Others working as site coordinators include Mike Franey, Dee Gossett and Brent Baumhover.

4th Grade Division at Holy Spirit with Kim Hackett Site Coordinator

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce wishes Carroll High School good luck tonight in their game and wishes Kuemper good luck with their game next Monday night.  Let's get March Madness off to a good start.