The end of another year is now here, and I can tell you that 2024 has been nothing short of transformative. As we look back on the past twelve months, it’s clear that this year has been filled with opportunities and milestones that have shaped our organization and the communities…
Building an alliance is a strategic move that can significantly amplify an organization’s reach, resources, and impact. When the Ames Regional Economic Alliance formally rebranded from the Ames Chamber of Commerce in June 2024, it was the culmination of years of work under the leadership of President and CEO, Dan…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance and affiliate organizations is excited to announce the 2024 Annual Award winners. The award recipients will be honored at an event on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the Iowa State Memorial Union. Since 1987, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance has recognized individuals and businesses who…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is pleased to announce the participants who have been selected for Leadership Ames Class XXXVIII: 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…
Huxley businesses gathered for the annual Business Appreciation Breakfast hosted by the City of Huxley, Huxley Development Corporation, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance this week where they heard details on a grant program to support new as well as expanding businesses in Huxley. These grant funds can be used…
As we approach the end of the year slow down, I can say that it feels nothing like a slow down around the Alliance office. Each week feels more hectic than the last. From end of year events to working with prospective companies who are interested in locating to the…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to re-introduce our Community Cash program with a new logo and sponsor. Thank you, TS Bank! What is Community Cash? Community Cash is a local gift certificate that you can use at any participating business. There are currently 30 businesses across the Ames…
In many ways, the origin story of Saltech Systems, a full-service technology agency located in Ames, began in Pakistan when Salman Maqsood was 13 years old. “Hailing from a family of physicians while growing up in Pakistan, it was understood that I will follow the family tradition,” said Maqsood. “But…
Colorbiotics, a Sika Company, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, has been innovating products that enhance the beauty of homes, businesses, parks, and athletic facilities for more than 30 years. In short, they are the industry leader in the science behind landscape and concrete colorant and equipment. Kent Rotert serves as Vice…
This fall, the hosts of the Discovery Channel’s show, “RV There Yet?” visited our region to record an episode for season four of their popular show. It’s a project that we had been working on for months, and it was an exciting week for our team when they were in…
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…
The end of another year is now here, and I can tell you that 2024 has been nothing short of transformative. As we look back on the past twelve months, it’s clear that this year has been filled with opportunities and milestones that have shaped our organization and the communities…
As we approach the end of the year slow down, I can say that it feels nothing like a slow down around the Alliance office. Each week feels more hectic than the last. From end of year events to working with prospective companies who are interested in locating to the…
This fall, the hosts of the Discovery Channel’s show, “RV There Yet?” visited our region to record an episode for season four of their popular show. It’s a project that we had been working on for months, and it was an exciting week for our team when they were in…
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…
Earlier this month, we announced that the hosts of the Discovery Channel’s popular show, “RV There Yet?” will visit the Ames area in early October to record an episode on our region. The show will feature local amenities in Boone and Story County, including the Rail Explorers in Boone, Reiman…
Earlier this month, I attended the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) annual convention, this year held in Dallas, Texas. It was wonderful to connect with colleagues from across the country and to take time to think about the work we do. As our new Ames Regional Economic Alliance…
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…
As we move into June, the summer season is officially here. For many of us, that includes entering the season of being busy. Gatherings with family and friends, weddings, and vacations, often get condensed into a three-month window of time. If you’re anything like us, when we get to the…
Earlier this month, it was announced that Daisy Brand, a Dallas, Texas-based company, is planning to build a new state-of-the-art, 750,000 square foot facility in Boone in 2024. The makers of cottage cheese and sour cream, Daisy is a national brand that had the choice to land anywhere across the…
In April, I will celebrate 18 years at the Ames Chamber of Commerce. This is not a date or time of year that I have marked on my calendar to celebrate, but as I was reminded of it recently, it provided an opportunity of reflection. My economic development career began…
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…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Brian Horn to the team as Director of Economic Development and Executive Director of the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation. “I am thrilled to have Brian join our team,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance….
August 20, 2024 (DES MOINES, IA) – Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced more than $37 million in workforce housing tax credits to develop housing across the state. The awards will support 62 housing projects that are expected to create more than 2,000 residential units….
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is pleased to announce that the City of Boone has received funding for 1003 Marshall Street located in north Downtown Boone. The Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded Boone with $100,000, for a project that will transform an underutilized building into new commercial and residential space. The…
Today marks an exciting milestone for our organization as we unveil Ames’ ‘worst-kept secret’ and proudly introduce our new name and brand: Ames Regional Economic Alliance. Since 1944, we have proudly operated as the Ames Chamber of Commerce. However, over the past 15 years, our organization has significantly evolved, expanding…
Mg Biologics, a manufacturer of life-saving plasma and antibody products for the veterinary market, leveraging the best science available for dogs, cats, horses, pigs, cattle, and other species is announcing plans for a $5 million dollar expansion that will enhance their manufacturing, warehouse, and research footprint in rural Boone County. …
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…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC), and partner organizations will be celebrating National Economic Development Week from May 6 – 10, 2024 to showcase the contributions of positive economic development and ongoing economic development projects in our communities. “Economic Development Week is a hallmark for our…
BOONE, IOWA, April 19, 2024 – Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced today the approval of an incentives package that will bring a new state-of-the-art production facility to Boone, Iowa. The approved state funding followed recent approval from the city of Boone. “This project will be…
Ames Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Annual Award Winners The Ames Chamber of Commerce and affiliate organizations is excited to announce the 2023 Annual Award winners. The award recipients will be honored at an event on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Prairie Moon Winery in Ames. Since 1987, the Ames…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the participants who have been selected for Leadership Ames Class XXXVII: Leadership Ames is a program of the Ames Chamber of Commerce that offers the opportunity for participants to gain experience in civic leadership responsibilities and cultivate relationships with other local leaders…
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…
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…
Who will be the next leader of the Ames Chamber of Commerce? It’s an odd question, but one that was proposed to me a few weeks ago by one of our board members. First and foremost, I have no plans to retire or move on from the work that we…
An end of year message can be challenging because it always aspires to condense the year that was, which is impossible. Therefore, I will not attempt to summarize the past twelve months, but rather talk about how our organization connects with our community as we move into 2023. I have…
In leadership, the axiom goes that “you’re only as good as your team.” In my career, I have grown to appreciate and understand how true this is. This week, we welcomed two new members to our Ames Chamber of Commerce team. I am incredibly excited to see what they will…
Earlier this week, the board of directors for the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Ames Economic Development Commission met together for a joint meeting. We annually have this joint meeting as a way to bring together the two parts of our organization for not only the business meeting, but a…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Program focuses on educating and engaging members on key legislative issues and initiatives impacting the Ames MSA. Maintaining strong relationships with federal, state, and locally elected officials is a key tenet of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, and a service we are proud…
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