I recently finished the book Fans First: Change the Game, Break the Rules, & Create an Unforgettable Experience by Jesse Cole. It was a book that was recommended to me by a colleague, and I must say it is an exceptional (and quick) read. Jesse Cole is the owner of the Savannah…
Lincolnway Energy, located between Ames and Nevada, celebrated the milestone of 1 billion gallons of ethanol produced in January 2023. Originally formed in May 2004, the plant started as a 50 million gallon per year dry mill ethanol plant. Today, it produces close to 95 million gallons of ethanol a…
Evie Peterson is a roll-up-her-sleeves type of entrepreneur who requires little sleep, a lot of coffee, and is not afraid to tackle the next big thing. Over the past 17 years, she has grown a successful catering business into a quintet of companies that has transformed Main Street Nevada. She is relentless…
In July, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, known to all of us as RAGBRAI, once again visited Ames as an overnight stop. This was the 50th anniversary of the Iowa summer tradition and Ames has been part of it from the beginning. Ames was an overnight stop…
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…
The President & CEO role of many organizations must look at the “big picture,” or serve as the visionary leader. Part of that is focusing on the culture of the organization, establishing and maintaining relationship with stakeholders, putting into place a strong team, and moving forward the big rocks that…
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…
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…
Earlier this month, we proudly broke ground—ceremonially, at least—on the highly anticipated Daisy Brand project in Boone. Though the rain kept us from putting actual shovels in the dirt, it didn’t dampen our excitement or the significance of the moment. We celebrated a $1.2 billion investment coming into our region…
On Episode #004 of the AREA Podcast, Jill Klindt, Chief Financial Officer of Workiva said, “If you’re not building something new, then you’re not growing. So, it’s really important to find the next thing.” I think about this often because it gets at the heart of what drives the Ames…
The City of Ames has been awarded a $500,000 planning grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, supporting the next phase of downtown transportation and infrastructure planning. The grant will fund planning and preliminary design work for the project titled “Multi-Modal Downtown Transit Hub in the City of…
The Boone County Economic Growth Corporation Board of Directors has announced the identification and optioning of 210 acres of land for future industrial development in the Boone community. This effort follows the 2024 announcement by Daisy Brand to construct a new manufacturing facility in Boone, an investment that will utilize…
The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market will expand its footprint for the 2026 season, growing into the 200 block of Main Street in Downtown Ames. The expansion reflects the continued momentum and popularity of the market, which has become a weekly destination for local food, artisan goods, and community connection. Last season, attendance…
The AREA YP Mentorship Program connects young professionals with business leaders in our community, fostering growth, guidance, and career development. Through one-on-one mentorship, participants gain valuable insights, expand their networks, and build the skills needed to succeed in their industries. 2026 Mentorship Pairings: (Mentee – Mentor) “Expanding from 15 to…
The City of Slater has approved an application for $100,0000 in support from their economic development revolving loan fund. These funds will support the renovation and establishment of a new business in an historic building in the community’s downtown. Home Kneads, LLC is a locally owned sourdough bakery dedicated to…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Jennifer Luengas-Otto as a new Director of Economic Development. In this role, Jennifer will lead Story County outreach and also serve as the Executive Director of the Nevada Economic Development Council (NEDC), supporting business growth, retention, and community development efforts throughout…
The City of Ellsworth has been awarded a $6,000 Ripple Effect grant from Ellsworth Cooperative Telephone Association (ECTA) and Aureon to support the development of a new Comprehensive Plan that will guide the community’s growth and development over the next decade. The Comprehensive Plan is being developed by students from…
Boone, Iowa — The grand opening of Prairie Place took place on December 9, marking the arrival of a new mixed-use residential and commercial development bringing 23 new homes to the Boone community, including 7 townhomes and 16 modern apartments designed to support workforce retention, neighborhood growth, and long-term community…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance and affiliate organizations are excited to announce the 2025 Annual Award winners. The award recipients will be honored at an event on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Iowa State Memorial Union, presented by Northwest Bank. Since 1987, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance has recognized…
At an event held December 3, the City of Nevada and the Nevada Economic Development Council celebrated the official start of construction on the Sierra Heights neighborhood with a “snow (ground) breaking event”. In comments made at the event, Mayor Condon extended his gratitude for the investment to be made…
At an event held on December 3, the City of Boone, Boone County Chamber of Commerce and Boone County Economic Growth Corporation joined Kading Properties in celebrating the official opening of the Kate’s Landing neighborhood with a ribbon cutting event. In comments made at the event, Mayor Eli Stines stated,…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is pleased to announce the participants who have been selected for Leadership Ames Class 39: Leadership Ames is a program of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance that offers the opportunity for participants to gain experience in civic leadership responsibilities and cultivate relationships with other local…
Last year, we helped develop Build a Better Boone, a collaboration that brought together key organizations across the Boone community on a regular basis. The key entities include the City of Boone, Boone County, Visit Boone County, Boone Community School District, Boone Chamber of Commerce, and the Boone County Economic Growth…
Earlier this month, we recognized individuals and businesses who have shown exemplary service and commitment in their profession or in the community at our Annual Awards ceremony. This is a tradition that has continued since 1987, and it’s an event that I look forward to each year. This year’s awards…
Author Tommy Spalding was the keynote speaker at our Annual Luncheon event on December 5, 2023, held at Cornerstone Church. His message of servant leadership is one that resonates with me, and I was excited to hear him speak. Leadership is something that I think about often, always aspiring to…
This year’s Inter-City Visit to Lafayette / West Lafayette, Indiana, October 18-20, was an overwhelming success. This was the sixth Inter-City Visit that we have hosted, and each one has delivered on the purpose of learning from comparable communities. When selecting communities to visit, we always try to find those…
This past weekend, I walked my daughter Katie down the aisle and gave her hand to her husband (and my new son-in-law) Hugh. The ceremony and reception were perfect, and I could not be more proud of them as a couple. For some reason, I scheduled my annual physical examination…
I recently finished the book Fans First: Change the Game, Break the Rules, & Create an Unforgettable Experience by Jesse Cole. It was a book that was recommended to me by a colleague, and I must say it is an exceptional (and quick) read. Jesse Cole is the owner of the Savannah…
In July, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, known to all of us as RAGBRAI, once again visited Ames as an overnight stop. This was the 50th anniversary of the Iowa summer tradition and Ames has been part of it from the beginning. Ames was an overnight stop…
The President & CEO role of many organizations must look at the “big picture,” or serve as the visionary leader. Part of that is focusing on the culture of the organization, establishing and maintaining relationship with stakeholders, putting into place a strong team, and moving forward the big rocks that…
Every other month, we have an all-staff meeting where we get together for lunch, laugh on a personal level, and cover a variety of business along the way. Even though we see each other on a weekly basis, these meetings are great ways for us to connect, provide updates, and…
Next month, May 8-12, we will celebrate Economic Development Week. It is a hallmark week for our organization as we pride ourselves on being a driving force of economic development for our region. In many ways, we have already started the celebration. If you follow our social media accounts, you…
One of the three pillars that leads our work here at the Ames Chamber of Commerce is advocacy, or our ability to publicly support or privately recommend a course of action related to a particular cause. We want local businesses to succeed, and it is our responsibility, and honor, to…
I recently came to the realization that my job has changed. I still hold the title of President & CEO of our organization, but how I spend my time on any given week has shifted. I am not entirely sure when that happened, or necessarily how it happened, but I…
The Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center will break ground later this spring, bringing to Ames a facility that will meet the indoor swimming needs of the community. The new 38,900 square foot facility will be located on Lincoln Way, west of Grand Avenue, across from the Iowa Department of Transportation…
If your new year’s resolution is to hit the pavement more often to get in shape for that upcoming 5K, or simply with a renewed interest in getting back in shape, then you should get to know Seth Kilborn at Fitness Sports. “Our goal with Fitness Sports – Ames is…
The USDA National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) facility, located on Dayton Avenue and visible from Interstate 35, is at the center of livestock research, foreign disease diagnostics and vaccine/biologic regulation for the nation. The 523-acre campus includes 93 buildings and three separate yet intertwined governmental centers: USDA’s National Animal…
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Story County is in the final stages of a capital improvement campaign that will expand and modernize their current location. The $7 million project will add 7,500 square feet to the south of their existing building, as well as provide needed updates throughout the…
Todd & Sargent has specialized in design, engineering, and construction since 1933, and their name is synonymous as one of the early pioneers in the grain elevator construction business in Iowa. Since its founding, the company has become a recognized design, engineering, and construction leader in the food and ag…
The concept of an escape room is simple: challengers are locked in a room and need to discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in a set amount of time in order to escape from the room. No Escape Iowa offers three levels for challengers: easy, moderate, and hard. Jon…
Woodworking techniques combined with the latest trends and custom graphics is what created the DIY Board & Brush Creative Studio concept. Now with a location in Ames, Board & Brush wants to turn you into a DIY master by educating you to understand and appreciate the beauty of raw materials—the…
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make French macarons, Vietnamese egg rolls, artisanal sourdough, or a delicious apple tart? Consider taking a class at The Recipe, a new culinary venue in Downtown Ames. The venue is owned and operated by Patrick and Mindy Bergstrom, proprietors of other Downtown…
After twelve years of considering proposals for a new hotel or the extensive remodeling of one of the old existing hotels, a group of Ames business leaders organized the Ames Improvement Company to carry out the community’s desire to have a hotel that would meet not only immediate needs but…
Golf simulators, axe throwing, baseball simulators, duckpin bowling, darts, pool tables, shuffle board, cornhole, foosball, Golden tee arcade, and ping-pong, not to mention a full-service bar and kitchen… the newly rebranded Inside Golf & Games has all the ingredients for a great time! “We view ourselves as being a staple…
If you’re looking for a unique night out in Ames, Time Out may be the place for you. A family-owned bar and arcade, Time Out is full of pop culture nostalgia from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Owned and operated by Chris Harding and her sons, Lance Harding and Logan Ristau,…
On any given weekend, people will arrive at The Slater Station in Slater, Iowa, by car, bicycle, or the preferred method of a golf cart, to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere, conversation amongst friends, and a cold one. This summer, the bar celebrated its one-year anniversary of selling drinks in a…
