Golf Anyone? Chamber's Annual Golf Outing
Mark your calendars for Monday, September 14.
I not suggesting the Chamber invented the idea of a "Golf Outing" but this is our 47th year . . so we have been at this for a while and its' still fun!

Most of our participants come out to actually golf and have fun. But we have a few that just like to lean on the cart and harass other people. We won't mention any names. See you September 14th . We are putting our President, Mr Franey in charge of weather that day.

Lt. Governor Patty Judge to Visit Carroll

At a time when many Iowans are looking for an affordable way to get away this summer, Lt. Governor Patty Judge has the solution - travel Iowa. Along with Carroll she will visit 66 other cities in Iowa. She is calling on Iowans to stay around Iowa this summer, and in the process invest their money in Iowa's communities to support local businesses and jobs. Lt. Governor Judge will be in Carroll at Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery on Thursday July 23th. To see a map of tour locations she will be stopping at, visit Travel Iowa 2009 Blog. Here you can learn more about the places and events the Lt. Governor will visit, find resources for planning your own vacation and follow along as the Lt. Governor travels the state.

Check the Carroll Chamber of Commerce website for our Carroll County Visitor Guide and Community Calendar to find out what there is to see and do in Carroll County.

MidAmerican Energy CEO to Talk Cap & Trade in Carroll

Carroll Area Development Corporation will host a special luncheon for Carroll County business leaders on July 14. William J. Fehrman, President and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Company will discuss the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The bill, which is being considered in the U.S. Senate, proposes to reduce carbon emissions by implementing a “cap and trade” system among energy companies (see earlier post titled, "MidAmerican Supports Cap, But Not the Trade")

Chamber members who want to learn more about MidAmerican’s position on this bill and it’s affect on your energy costs should contact the CADC and reserve a seat.

Newton Room
Carrollton Centre
Tuesday, July 14
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch Sponsored by MidAmerican Energy

Contact: Carroll Area Development Corp.
chamber@carrolliowa.com ~ or ~ 712.792.4383

Chamber Prez's Popular Postings

Chamber President Mike Franey has become quite the celebrity with the golf crowd and many more with a popular local blog, The Franey Golf Report. We could go on, but the Daily Times Herald article here says it best!

Do you have a favorite blog that promotes your community or organization? Comment on this post and we will share it with our readers.

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: