You Owe it to Yourself to Think Carroll First!

I watch with great interest the growing support for “shop local” campaigns. Most recently, “Small Business Saturday” coming up this weekend is meant to get people thinking about the benefits of buying local. National studies from Civic Economics and other organizations show that for every $100 spent locally, nearly two-thirds stays in your community. Spend another $100 in a national chain, only $42 stays. No dollars are returned to your community when you spend $100 online.

A better thought might be, “Think Carroll First!” regardless of who owns the store. Celebrate the selection and service offered by a Carroll retailer this holiday season, whether owned by your neighbor or staffed by someone who sits near you in church.

Independent and chain stores are complimentary in Carroll. They need each other so that a broad selection is offered here, attracting shoppers from Western Iowa and beyond. While there is no better shopping experience than with an independent retailer, chain and franchise outlets in Carroll provide an important part of the merchandise mix. Family members coming home for the holidays are consistently impressed with all that Carroll has to offer.

Buying local does not mean walling off the outside world. No question there are benefits to getting out of town once in awhile – and purchases are certainly made while we are out of town. But there are few items we do not find locally.

Shopping in Carroll allows independent and chains to contribute to projects and causes that are important to us here. The business community generates millions of dollars in payroll and economic activity. They pay local taxes, providing revenue for local services like fire & police protection, and quality of life amenities we enjoy in Carroll. Charitable contributions to schools, medical services and community causes are only possible when Carroll businesses are supported by local residents and visiting customers.

The Carroll Chamber of Commerce’s “Think Carroll First” campaign is aimed at residents and guests, encouraging them to enjoy all that Carroll has to offer, especially during the Holiday season.  While shopping in Carroll, shoppers from all over the region enjoy great food in our restaurants and activities such as the Festival of Lights at Swan Lake, and concerts by the Carroll Community Chorus and Carroll Area Symphony, and much more.

The selection, service, and even the cost of Holiday shopping in Carroll likely will surprise you. I urge you to take a look at the membership directory at www.carrolliowa.com. Pick out a store that you have not visited in awhile and get in there! Carroll merchants are stocked with gifts and trained employees who genuinely care about making your shopping experience enjoyable. Save time and money by shopping in Carroll this Holiday season. You will be supporting the businesses that support your community while treating yourself to a most unique shopping experience.

Google "Iowa GetOnline" Workshop

Five Carroll County Towns Increase Population

Arcadia, Breda, Halbur, Manning & Templeton have more people in 2010 Census.
Click on the chart below to see a comparison of all Carroll County incorporated places

See Census Data from Comparable Size Counties & Towns

A mixed bag of population increase/decrease among like size cities and counties. Scroll down to see all charts:

Western Iowa Advantage Counties Down 5.4% from 2000 Census

Crawford County Slightly Up. Iowa metro & non-metro census figures also appear here:

What 2010 Census results say about Carroll and Carroll County, Iowa

From the Des Moines Register

I could spend all weekend analyzing census data. I like to compare Carroll and Carroll County to like-sized areas in the state. I don't NEED something else to do this weekend, but I probably will spend some time on this, so stay tuned. Here's what I think I know so far. As of the 2010 Census:

The City of Carroll population is 10,103 a decrease of THREE people (0.0%).
City population is 37th largest in the state. In 2000, Carroll was 32nd largest.
Of 1,008 Census municipalities in Iowa, only 296 are more ethnically diverse than Carroll.

Carroll County population is 20,816 a decrease of 605 people (-2.8%). 
County population is 32nd largest in the state. In 2000, Carroll County was 29th largest
Carroll County's population is roughly the same as it was 100 years ago. Population swelled to 23,431 in 1960, but has lost only 11% since. This is a much better result than many rural Iowa counties.

For easy access to excel spreadsheets with just released Census Data, go to the Iowa Data Center Website:

Check the Chamber Blog to view more analysis of Census Data, including comparisons of Carroll County City data, contiguous and comparable county and city data.

Welcome New Chamber Members!

Welcome to Randy Hockom, retired Hy-Vee store manager who joins us as our newest Senior Ambassador.  Thank you Randy for your support of the Chamber.

We also welcome Steve Riesberg and Brian Reinart, owners of B & S's 529, a restaurant and bar specializing in burgers and pizza.

The Chamber welcomes this month's new members!

Welcome New Chamber Members!

Welcome to Cody Irlbeck, owner of Irlbeck Precision Surfaces.  Irlbeck Precision Surfaces provide custom designing and installation of granite, marble, quartz and tile.  Contact Cody at 712-775-2775 or email him at codyirlbeck@yahoo.com.

Welcome Chris Baack!  Chris is the owner of Christopher Lee's Catering, based at the Arcadia Legion Hall.  Christopher Lee's books catering for all events at the Hall or at the location of your choice.  Chris offers an extensive menu and competitive prices.  Email them at christopherleescatering@yahoo.com or call them at 712-830-5695.

Welcome Beth Tiefenthaler, owner of Salontief.  Salontief is a full service salon and spa. Check Beth out at http://www.salontief.com/ or call her at 712-792-0760.

The Chamber welcomes all three new Chamber members!

Welcome New Chamber Members!

Welcome to Carol Thompson, consultant for Private Quarters.  Private Quarters offers quality linens for your bed and bath, numberous spa items and a line of Comfortwear.  Carol is available for one-on-one consultations as well as home "Getaway" parties.  Contact Carol today and let her help bring quality and comfort to your home.  Check Carol out at www.privatequarters.net/quality or email csharpie78@yahoo.com.

Welcome Susan Rix, owner of Finishing Touch Gallery.  Finishing Touch Gallery provides professional custom matting and framing of photographs, artwork, canvasses and needle work of all kinds for homes and businesses.  They specialize in conservation practices and custom matting designs.  See all Susan has to offer at http://www.finishingtouchframing.com/ or email her at susan.rix@mchsi.com.

Welcome Dennis Bailey, Pastor of Carroll First Untied Methodist Church.  The Church specializes in connecting people with God through worship, witness, service and sharing.  The Church's website is http://www.carrollunitedmethodist.org/ or email Pastor Bailey at carrollumc@msn.com.

The Chamber welcomes this month's new members!

Computer Concepts of Iowa hosts a Chamber coffee

Congratulations to Adam Schweers and his staff on the expansion of Computer Concepts of Iowa.  The Chamber coffee allowed everyone to see the new office.  Thanks for hosting one, Adam!




Computer Concepts of Iowa - Coffee and Ribbon/Cutting



Carroll's Retail Sales strong in FY 2009

Retail sales in Carroll showed a slight increase (2.28%) for the year ending June 30, 2009. This is according to the latest figures available from Iowa State University Department of Economics. Read the full report here. Below are charts illustrating the strength of Carroll's retail economy. Sales are much greater than expected for a town this size. Growth in number of firms reporting and Carroll compares favorably to similar towns in a "peer group" designated by ISU.

For the full report on Retail Sales in Carroll, click HERE

Watch this space for the Carroll County Retail Analysis, which will include sales of merchandise by category

Two Energizing Workshops Sponsored by the Chamber

Two great speakers from Le Mars spent time in Carroll today presenting energizing workshops to Chamber members.

Angela Watson presents Hospitality Magic Tricks

Angela Watson presented Hospitality Magic Tricks in the morning to a group that enjoyed hearing how customer service ultimately effects the bottom line. She informed how important it is for employees to have fun at work and how that directly affects how they treat the customer.  Thank you Angela for sharing your expertise with the Chamber members.

Dave Smetter presents The Three Pillars of Business Success

Dave Smetter informed the afternoon group the three pillars of success are Leadership, Communication and Employee Engagement.  He shared many examples of these pillars in his presentation.  Thanks Dave. It was a great day of learning for many Chamber members.

New Board Orientation

The Chamber's new board members for 2011 attended a board
 orientation meeting on Thursday, October 7th

Welcome to the Chamber Board

Doug Gifford - State Farm Insurance

Jair Mayhall - Greteman & Associates

Ken Payer - Champion Ford

Terry Ruchti - Carroll Cycle Center

Gina Bauck - Enchanted Gardens

Ag Representative -  Aaron Juergens

 Juergens Produce & Feed

53rd Annual Carroll Band Day

People lined the streets of Carroll 's 53rd Annual Band Day Parade's new route through Graham Park on Saturday, October 2nd. It was a fun day had by all with beautiful weather and children waiting in anticipation for the next parade entry and their chance at another handful of candy. Winners this year: High School Class 3A: 1st Place - Jefferson-Scranton, 2nd Place-Carroll Community Class 2A: 1st Place - Roland-Story, 2nd Place -East Sac County, 3rd Place - Cherokee Washington Class 1A: 1st Place - Aurelia, 2nd Place -Guthrie Center, 3rd Place - Glidden Ralston.  Middle School Class 3A: 1st Place - Boone, 2nd Place - Jefferson-Scranton. Class 2A: 1st Place - East Sac County, 2nd Place - Ogden, 3rd Place - Cherokee. Best Overall Drum Major: Jefferson-Scranton HS-Brandon Tjepkes. Best Overall Baton Twirler: Kuemper-Catholic HS, Mallory Raemakers. Best Overall Color Guard: Roland-Story. The Best Overall Band Performance went to Roland-Story High School for the 2nd year in a row. Congratulations to all the winners!

Carroll Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum

At 7 PM Tuesday evening, October 5, the Carroll Chamber of Commerce hosted a Candidate Forum for candidates running in contested races for House District #51, Supervisor and Recorder. An audience of 130+ attended the forum held at the Carroll High School, Gene Vincent Auditorium and listened as candidates answered questions submitted by the public prior to the forum, by the audience in attendance and call-ins.

Chamber Sponsored Workshops

The Chamber has found 2 dynamic, experienced speakers to present at workshops scheduled for

Tuesday, October 19th at the Carrollton.  

Click Above and Print



Click Above, Print & Register Today

Angela Watson, Sales and Customer Communications, Well's Dairy will present

"Hospitality Magic Tricks".  It will give a few simple tools to incorporate immediately. 

Whether it's a simple "me check" or a full-organizational refresher course, this presentation will magically transform any business into a preferred place to work and to do business.

Dave Smetter, Senior Director, Corporate Marketing & Communications, Wells' Inc. will present

"The 3 Pillars of Business Success"

Leadership - Communication - Employee Engagement

This workshop will help you build the skills and knowledge necessary to strengthen your foundation in order to reach new heights as a top business performer.

Call the Chamber office with questions.

Choose one or both of these workshops, for you and your employees. 



Carroll County Employment and Jobs - August 2010

 



Carroll County's August Unemployment Rate the Fifth Lowest in Iowa





   As the state and nation continue to struggle with high unemployment figures, Carroll County continues to stay below the 5% mark that is named by economists as statistical full employment. This has been the case throughout a national recession. Carroll County's unemployment rate peaked in April, 2010 at 5.2%. However Iowa Workforce Development reports 350 fewer jobs in Carroll County than August 2009. There has been a slow and steady slide in job numbers throughout the state over the last 24-36 months.

Interestingly, the highest unemployment rate in August was in Lee County, the most Southeastern Iowa County at 10.8%, while  the lowest rate was in Lyon County the most Northwestern County at 3.9%.

The Western Iowa Advantage Region’s monthly unemployment rate increased to 5.5 percent in August from 4.7 percent in August 2009, according to figures released from Iowa Workforce Development. Iowa’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in August from a revised 6.3 percent in August 2009. The U.S. unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in August. Total employment in the region decreased slightly to 46,846 in August from 47,796 in August 2009.

Western Iowa Advantage tracks various economic indicators in Adair, Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, Ida and Sac Counties in Iowa, including employment trends.

County unemployment rates in the region for August:

Adair 5.7%
Audubon 5.9%
Carroll 4.7%
Crawford 4.9%
Greene 7.4%
Guthrie 6.4%
Ida 5.1%
Sac 5.4%
Western Iowa Advantage is a partnership of economic development organizations dedicated to promoting Western Iowa for business and job attraction and retention. 

Bloomers - Congratulations on 20 years!

Congratulations goes out to Strauto (Jim Strautman) and Tank (Tom Wieland) for celebrating 20 years in business here in Carroll.  Bloomers hosted a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon-Cutting on Friday, October 1st to celebrate this milestone.  We are fortunate to have Bloomers as part of our community.



Congratulations Strauto and Tank, owners of Bloomers!



Carroll Chamber of Commerce Band Day Parade

On Saturday, October 2 spectators will be choosing viewing spots in anticipation of the 53rd  Annual Carroll Band Day Parade. At 10:30 AM the parade will take off at 12th & Adams and proceed  to Graham Park where the judging of bands takes place. Immediately following the parade, the Carroll  and Jefferson-Scranton High Schools will perform field presentations at the Carroll Stadium. Presentation of the trophies will follow. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. This year Band Day is sponsored by Lou Walsh Motors and the Carroll Chamber is partnered with Carroll Community Schools and Kuemper Catholic School. See you all there!

New Maps Have Arrived

Thanks to 42 sponsors who purchased advertising, the Carroll Chamber of Commerce has updated the City and County maps.  If you would like to have them available at your business or for your personal use, stop by the Chamber and pick up a supply.  The map was last updated in 2008, a new copy may come in handy.

The Chamber has local and state visitor information, the Carroll magazines and maps of the 50 states.