The Ames Regional Economic Alliance contributes to the economic security of the area’s workers, businesses, and community through a wide range of workforce solutions.
The Ames region is more than just the heart of the Midwest — it’s a dynamic hub of innovation, genuine community, and big opportunities without the big-city burnout. With small-town charm, a bold food scene, and outstanding quality of life, it’s the ideal place to grow your future and truly feel at home.
Through the support of our workforce sponsors, the Alliance is creating programs and partnerships that strengthen the regional workforce pipeline.
The AREA Intern Program hosted by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance is designed to help interns and college students connect with local business leaders while exploring the opportunities the Ames region has to offer. By immersing interns and college students in a variety of professional development experiences, we hope to inspire them to consider staying in the AREA as they begin their careers.
AREA Young Professionals, formerly FUEL Story County, was founded in 2002 as an affiliate organization of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. Our mission is to be transformative leaders enhancing quality of life through a community focused on leadership, growth, philanthropy, and social engagement.
AREA YP provides a forum for networking, professional development, and community partnerships. We seek to promote and preserve the businesses, attractions, and events that make our Central Iowa communities a great place to live, work, and play. We are committed to creating an environment that attracts and retains young professionals in our area.
The Retraining Program is free to all residents in Story and Boone County who are 18 years or older and have obtained a diploma or GED. It is a partnership between Story County, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, and the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), who hosts the classes at their Ames and Boone campuses. This free Retraining Program provides an opportunity to master new skills that can lead to a new career opportunity in a very short amount of time.
Read highlights from Mid-States Companies and Mary Greeley Medical Center by
clicking here.
To learn more about the Story County Retraining Program, contact Jenavieve Christensen at jenavieve@amesalliance.com.
Today’s Students are Tomorrow’s Workforce.
We are proud to partner with local school districts to provide opportunities for student to interact with local businesses. This engagement creates pathways for students to transition successfully from secondary education to post-secondary opportunities and eventually into our workforce.
Events and programs that we host throughout the year include:
The Rising Leaders Academy is an eight-month leadership development program designed for high school juniors who demonstrate leadership potential and a desire to make a difference in their schools and communities. Through monthly sessions, students gain firsthand exposure to leadership, workforce opportunities, civic engagement, and community development.
Participants engage with community leaders, tour local businesses, explore career pathways, strengthen professional skills, and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing our region. The program encourages students to think critically about leadership while building connections with peers from neighboring school districts.
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open soon.
2025-2026 Rising Leaders Academy Class:
The Central Iowa Middle School Expo introduces seventh grade students from multiple Central Iowa school districts to a wide range of career opportunities through hands-on, interactive experiences.
During this full-day event, businesses and organizations host engaging activity stations that allow students to explore careers in the trades, agriculture, and healthcare industries. Rather than simply hearing about careers, students experience them through activities that spark curiosity and encourage future exploration.
By helping students discover career opportunities at an early age, the Central Iowa Middle School Expo helps students begin connecting classroom learning to future career possibilities while broadening their understanding of the industries that drive Central Iowa’s economy.
CropQuest Challenge is an “Amazing Race”-style career exploration event that introduces students to the exciting opportunities within the Iowa State University Research Park. Hosted in collaboration with the Iowa State University Research Park and Sukup Manufacturing Co., student teams rotate through a series of interactive challenges and activities.
At each stop, students participate in hands-on experiences that showcase how technology is transforming modern agriculture. Activities may include precision agriculture, robotics, plant science, data analytics, drone technology, sustainability practices, and other emerging innovations shaping Iowa’s largest industry.
Through friendly competition and teamwork, students discover the wide variety of careers available in agriculture and gain a deeper understanding of how technology drives the future.
Pitch Tank is a student entrepreneurship competition that challenges high school students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and develop innovative business ideas. Created as the next generation of Innovate U, Pitch Tank offers students more preparation, mentorship, and hands-on learning throughout the process.
Working in teams, students identify a local challenge or community need and develop a business concept designed to address it. Along the way, students learn entrepreneurial thinking, market research, teamwork, presentation skills, and problem-solving techniques. Teams then present their ideas to a panel of business leaders in a live pitch competition.
Pitch Tank is made possible through a partnership between the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Availa Bank, Iowa State University Research Park, and the Small Business Development Center.
Teaching for the Workforce is a two-day professional development experience for educators designed to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and workforce opportunities throughout Central Iowa.
Hosted in partnership with DMACC, the event brings together educators to explore regional industries, workforce trends, and career pathways available to students. Participants tour local businesses, engage in hands-on activities, hear directly from employers, and learn about the skills and experiences students need to be successful in today’s workforce.
The program helps educators return to their classrooms with practical ideas, industry connections, and real-world examples that support career exploration and future-ready learning.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the National Civics Bee®, a nonpartisan competition that encourages middle school students to deepen their understanding of civics and become active contributors to their communities.
Open to students in grades 6-8, the competition challenges participants to demonstrate their civic knowledge while exploring solutions to real issues facing their communities. Students begin by submitting an essay that identifies a community challenge and proposes a thoughtful solution.
Top essay finalists advance to a live local competition where they compete for recognition, cash prizes, and the opportunity to advance through the National Civics Bee® competition pathway. Finalists may ultimately earn the opportunity to compete in the National Civics Bee® National Championship in Washington, D.C.
Why Civics?
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance believes informed and engaged citizens are essential to a strong community, a strong economy, and a strong workforce. Through participation in the National Civics Bee®, we are helping students develop civic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a lifelong commitment to community involvement.
Essay submissions for the 2027 National Civics Bee® will open in Fall 2026.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is working with community and employer partners to address child care challenges and identify sustainable solutions.
United Way of Story County (UWSC) and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), in
partnership with Iowa State University, recently engaged Pendulum Dependent Care Solutions (Pendulum) to conduct the Story County Child Care Feasibility Study.
Please take a moment and view the summary report by clicking the button below
Ames, Boone and Story County are proud of Iowa’s commitment to veterans and their families. Our area complements Iowa’s mission to welcome, employ, and honor those who serve our country. The Home Base Iowa Communities initiative designates communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans and further highlights Iowa’s statewide commitment to welcoming veterans to the state.
Contact Shannon Thiele
Vice President, Affiliate Programming
shannon@amesalliance.com
