Mark Speck, owner of Speck Plumbing, Inc., has been an active part of the development of Ames for over 50 years. “I grew up in Ames north of 24th Street and Highway 69,” said Speck. “Our family farmed the area that is now occupied by North Grand Mall and Northwood…
Stepping Stones Child Development Center is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for its new $1.2 million childcare facility, which took place today in Slater. The new center aims to expand access to high-quality early childcare in the community and across the region offering a nurturing and stimulating environment where…
Last week, the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission took action to approve Revitalize Iowa Sound Economy (RISE) funding to support improvements to an existing roadway and for the construction of a new road to support the Daisy Brand and other growth in the community of Boone. The City of Boone…
Ringold Estates reached a key milestone this week as city leaders and Boone County Economic Growth Commission (BCEGC) representatives visited the project location to review the progress and discuss future plans. Josh and Heidi Walters are owners of Empire Realty, LLC. The ongoing development is set to transform the area…
As we approach the upcoming November vote on the Story County Water and Land Legacy Bond, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance wishes to express our strong support for this vital initiative. This bond will significantly enhance our community’s livability and environmental health by focusing on crucial projects that benefit both…
Boone, IA – [October 2, 2024] – Radicáto, a locally-owned meal prep business specializing in fresh, tasty, and healthy meal options, is excited to announce that it has received a combined $35,000 in funding to support the renovation of its new location at 812 6th Street. The funding comes from…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Katlyn Mock to the team as the new Client Services Coordinator. “Katlyn will be a great addition to our team,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “Katlyn’s background in hospitality, communications, and customer service will…
I recently returned from northern Minnesota where I presented for two days at the Upper Midwest Economic Development Course. I’ve had the honor of presenting there several times over the years and it is always an event that I look forward to. Speaking to emerging economic development leaders from around…
FUEL Story County, the young professional’s organization and an affiliate organization of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, has officially rebranded as AREA Young Professionals. “Our young professional organization has seen a lot of growth in recent years, and this rebrand is another exciting step in our efforts to build young,…
“The future of Agriculture is not about blindly throwing increasingly expensive inputs and precious resources at our food, fiber, and now fuel production,” said Roger Underwood during this keynote presentation at the 2024 Agriculture Breakfast event. “The future of agriculture is borderless and global,” as he provided a worldly perspective…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance hosted the 2024 Inter-City Visit from September 11-13, where city and community leaders from Boone, Hamilton, and Story County toured Fargo, North Dakota, and met with their community leaders. “The goal of the 2024 Inter-City Visit is straightforward,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of…
This spring, the City of Ames prepared an Urban Revitalization Area (URA) designation to include a plan for incentivizing construction of new housing. The Council action form stated that “expanding housing options with the community is both desirable and necessary for the economic health of the city,” and that qualified…
Every month, the Board of Directors for the Ames Regional Economic Alliance gathers for a Friday morning meeting that begins promptly at 7:00 a.m. Despite the early hour, the room is consistently full. These meetings bring together leaders from across our four-county region to hear updates, discuss emerging opportunities, and…
Leadership transitions are defining moments for institutions and communities alike. They are opportunities to reflect on the past while setting a renewed course for the future. Here in the Ames region, we are experiencing just such a moment with the appointment of Dr. David Cook as the next president of…
As we close out the month, I’ve had the opportunity to stand in a couple of very different places and be reminded that they are all part of the same story. Recently, I joined partners at the ribbon cutting for the Advanced Magnet Facility at Ames National Laboratory. Not long after,…
This April, I will celebrate 20 years as CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. Candidly, when I started in April of 2006, I envisioned staying five to seven years. But life happens. Kids grow up, schedules fill, and you learn quickly what you do not want to disrupt. Before…
As we wrap up the month, I want to take a moment to reflect on one of the most meaningful gatherings of the year to date for the Ames Regional Economic Alliance: our 2025 Annual Awards celebration. Since 1987, this event has served as more than a ceremony, but as…
As we close out another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on one of December’s highlights for our organization. If you attended our Annual Event earlier this month, I hope you enjoyed our keynote speaker, Valerie Grubb, an internationally recognized keynote speaker and author on leadership. I…
As we close out November, I’m reminded that this season naturally brings a sense of gratitude and we have much to be thankful for across the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. We’re in the season of many of our affiliate organizations hosting their annual events, giving us the opportunity to recognize…
As we near the end of another busy month, I’m reminded of a saying I used recently: “Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.” I’ve been told I have a lot of these sayings. I credit President Kennedy with this one, but it certainly applies to our organization and the momentum…
This past month has been another strong reminder of the incredible role Iowa State University plays in the life of our community and our regional economy. Few things highlight this better than the national attention Ames received when FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff show came to town for the Cy-Hawk football game. The…
Years ago, when I was only months on the job here in Ames, I held one of my first board meetings and timidly outlined a new direction for the organization. I was timid because I wanted to honor the amazing work that had already taken place while instilling new ideas…
I recently attended the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) annual conference in Philadelphia. It’s a conference that I attend often, as do others within our organization. The programming is always excellent, and it gives our team an opportunity not only to learn from others but also to reflect…
As a leader, I try to spend most of my time shining a light on the many positive things happening across our region. And truthfully, that’s easy to do—we live in a community filled with innovation, collaboration, and momentum. But the reality is, not everything we do succeeds. Failure is…
AgCertain Industries, Inc. has begun its Phase III expansion in the Boone Industrial Park located in Boone, Iowa. AgCertain held a groundbreaking at their Boone campus to announce the construction of Rail Spur B, additional processing and logistics capabilities and the start of planning phases for the industrial campus including…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2023 Inter-City Visit from October 18-20, where city and community leaders from Ames, Boone, and Nevada toured Lafayette and West Lafayette, Indiana, and met with their community leaders. “The goal of the 2023 Inter-City Visit is straightforward,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO…
Danfoss Power Solutions campus in Ames is undergoing an expansion project that will double the space for engineers to do work on innovative solutions with a focus on sustainability. Known internally as Americas Application Development Center (ADC), the area will focus on research and development and will be available to…
Empire Reality, LLC will be constructing eight market rate rental units on four infill lots in West Boone. The Ringold Estates project will consist of four twin homes. Josh and Heidi Walters, owners of Empire Realty, LLC explain, “This State of Iowa funding is critical to move our Ringold Estates project forward. We…
In a Statewide announcement made Friday, August 11th the following Ames MSA housing projects were awarded Workforce Housing Tax Credits from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Awarded $1.0 M in state funding assistance, Nevada Flats, LLC will add sixty market rate apartments in the Nevada community when complete. The proposed…
YSS celebrated their ninth Kids Club location with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, August 1 at the Colo-NESCO Middle/High School. “It’s been a year’s worth of planning and pulling things together and we’re really excited to kick this thing off,” said Marc Snavely, Colo-NESCO Superintendent and Elementary Principal. YSS Kids…
The Iowa Economic Authority (IEDA) has announced funding for two companies in the Ames MSA. State funding has been approved for M.H. Eby, Inc. in Story City and Mid-States Material Handling and Fabrication in Nevada. M.H. Eby, Inc. M.H. Eby was founded in 1938, as a manufacturer of wood livestock…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Ottie Maxey to the team as Director of Business Retention & Expansion. “A large part of job growth in any region is the result of businesses and companies growing and expanding,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber…
Earlier this month, the State of Iowa identified and ranked 96 new “Broadband Intervention Zones” for its Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. The status makes areas eligible for “enhanced incentives” and “higher prioritization” for state dollars, according to a news release from the state. These zones identified by local…
Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, has been selected as this year’s Leadership for Iowa Award winner. The award is presented annually to a past participant of the Leadership Iowa program who exemplifies quality leadership both on a community and statewide level and demonstrates a…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Emory Widlowski has been promoted to Director of Events. As Director of Events, Emory Widlowski will continue to manage the planning and organization of events on behalf of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and affiliate organizations. Widlowski has been with…
(May 5, 2023) – The Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC), and partner organizations will be celebrating National Economic Development Week from May 8 – 12, 2023 to showcase the contributions of positive economic development and ongoing economic development projects in our communities. “Economic Development Week is…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Jenavieve Christensen as its new Economic Development & Workforce Coordinator. “We are excited to welcome Jenavieve back to the Alliance team,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “During her time as an intern, she demonstrated…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Morganne Dennis as its new Investor Relations Coordinator. “Morganne will be a great fit for our team at the Alliance,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “Her professional experience and strong connections throughout the Ames…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance has been recognized with two awards from the Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE), honoring excellence in chamber leadership, programming, and communications across the Midwest. Leading the recognition, President and CEO Dan Culhane was named Executive of the Year, one of MACE’s highest honors. The award recognizes a…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Baylie Janssen to the team as the new Client Services Coordinator. “We are pleased to welcome Baylie to the Alliance team,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “Her experience working directly with students, families, and…
In April 2026, Dan Culhane marked a milestone that few in economic development reach: 20 years leading one organization, one region, and one evolving vision for growth. When Culhane stepped into the role in 2006, the organization was known as the Ames Chamber of Commerce, with a focused footprint in Story County….
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to announce Ronnie Olson as the new Executive Director of Ames Main Street (AMS). Olson previously served as Investor Relations Coordinator for the Alliance and has been with the organization since 2024. “Ronnie has a passion for Downtown Ames that is perfect for…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is pleased to announce Sidney Hansen as its new Digital Marketing Specialist. In this role, Sidney will support the Alliance’s communications and outreach efforts by creating digital content and amplifying the organization’s mission across multiple platforms. “Sidney joins our organization at an exciting time, as we continue…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Harrison Swift as a new Director of Economic Development. In this role, Harrison will also serve as the Executive Director of the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation (BCEGC), where he will focus on advancing business retention and expansion, workforce development, and community growth for…
Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities to Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Shannon Thiele, Director of Workforce Development of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, was selected to participate in the twelfth cohort of its premiere business…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Katlyn Mock to the team as the new Client Services Coordinator. “Katlyn will be a great addition to our team,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “Katlyn’s background in hospitality, communications, and customer service will…
Earlier this week marked a significant moment for our organization as we officially launched our new brand: Ames Regional Economic Alliance. The new brand is not just about a name and a logo, it is about a collective commitment to growth, collaboration, and prosperity across our three-county area. For over…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Travis Toliver to the team as Vice President and Executive Director of Ames Main Street (AMS). “We are excited to have Travis join our team and apply his knowledge and experiences to our downtown and the organization,” said Dan Culhane, President…
Building a Coffee Culture Windmill Coffee Roasters is quietly shaping a coffee culture across Central Iowa. Founded by Andrew Burgason, Windmill emerged from a family legacy of coffee excellence. Andrew’s father opened Burgies Coffee & Tea in 1997, but as Andrew recalls, the need for a dedicated roasting operation quickly…
Scott Johnson didn’t take a traditional route to leadership. He started at Manatt’s in 2009 as a general laborer on a concrete crew. Today, as General Manager of the Ames Asphalt Division, Johnson oversees a versatile team delivering complex construction projects across central Iowa. “I wasn’t someone who thrived in…
Lincolnway Energy, located just outside of Nevada, Iowa, has surpassed a major milestone, reaching 100 million gallons in annual ethanol production—double the output the plant was originally designed for. This achievement comes through ongoing capital investment, technological improvements, and a relentless focus on efficiency. Founded in 2004 as a 50-million-gallon-per-year facility,…
In the heart of Downtown Ames, nestled among the charm and bustle of Main Street, there’s a boutique that’s more than just racks of clothing and curated styles — it’s a reflection of one woman’s journey, her passion for fashion, and her devotion to community. Meet b.e.good, a boutique as…
On the south side of Ames, across 17 acres of innovation, stands a company quietly making waves in the world of water. Hach, a name recognized by scientists and engineers across the globe, started from humble beginnings—born in 1947 in a garage thanks to the vision of Clifford and Kitty…
For nearly a decade, Express Employment Professionals in Ames has helped local businesses find talent, and helped job seekers find opportunities. Specializing in both temporary and full-time staffing solutions, Express Employment Professionals and its Specialized Recruiting Group work to match job seekers with opportunities that align with their skills and…
Walk into Bluestem Boulders, and you’ll immediately feel the energy—chalk dust in the air, climbers eyeing their next move, and the hum of encouragement from all corners of the gym. This isn’t just a place to work out; it’s a place to belong. Since opening in 2024, Bluestem Boulders has…
As On Track Construction moves into its eighth year, CEO Matt Runge envisions not only continued business expansion but also a deeper commitment to supporting the community. “We like to give,” he says, “but more importantly, we want our contributions to make an impact.” On Track, which specializes in underground…
In the heart of Ames, Iowa, a group of entrepreneurs are reshaping the way communities engage with high school sports. Meet the founders of Bound, a company that’s become the go-to resource for tracking high school athletics in the state of Iowa and beyond. Through their innovative approach, Bound has…
Art Ciccotti’s journey into the world of glassblowing began with a passion ignited during his time at Iowa State University. Originally from Southern California, Ciccotti relocated to Ames, Iowa, where he pursued a degree in Art and Design with an emphasis in Art Education. It was at Iowa State that…
In the heart of Story City, Iowa, a quiet yet powerful force is driving the future of renewable energy. Generation Repair and Service (GRS), a NextEra Energy Resources facility, which is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, has been a cornerstone of the clean energy sector since its establishment in 2009….
This spring, Ames Main Street unveiled their transformative plan that aims to enhance its vibrancy and appeal. The “Downtown Ames: A Guiding Vision for the Future” outlines strategic improvements to position the area as a premier destination in central Iowa. “The guiding document is not a fixed plan, predetermined roadmap,…
