The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment grants to 39 manufacturers across the state, including three companies in Story County. Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Grant Recipients: The Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program aims to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in Iowa’s largest industry. The grants…
The Iowa Economic Development Authority today announced its support for a major business expansion project by Edible Garden AG Incorporated, approving a $2,660,000 incentive package through its Business Incentives for Growth (BIG) program. The award, approved on April 17, includes $2,000,000 in Investment Tax Credits and $660,000 in Sales and…
Magic Matt’s Cleaning didn’t begin with a flashy business plan or rapid-growth ambition. Instead, it started with a simple belief: people deserve a home and workplace they feel proud of and a service company they can truly trust. That belief, paired with a commitment to showing up and doing the…
The Webster City Gateway Industrial Park has officially been designated an Iowa Certified Site, marking a significant milestone for economic development in Hamilton County and the broader Central Iowa region. The achievement is the result of a collaborative effort between the City of Webster City, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Hamilton…
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…
For more than 50 years, Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods has blended tradition, innovation, and family leadership into a nationally recognized meat business rooted in Webster City. Founded by William “Bill” Korleski in the early 1970s, the company began as a small-town operation built on expertly seasoned and smoked meats. Today,…
At Northwest Bank, community engagement is not a side initiative; it is central to how the bank operates. In Ames, that commitment is reflected through consistent leadership, meaningful volunteerism, and an intentional investment in people and places. Honored as the 2025 Business of the Year, Northwest Bank continues to stand…
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…
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,…
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…
One of the greatest responsibilities of leadership is building a strong team. Over the years, I’ve learned that the best way to do that is to hire people who are better than you in key areas—and then give them the authority to lead. Too often, leaders hire for comfort rather…
One of the things I love most about our team is that we never stop searching for the next opportunity. Whether it’s connecting businesses through networking, driving new housing developments, or expanding the ways we tell our region’s story, our passion for making a positive impact never fades. Economic development…
If you’re anything like me, you’re eager to fully embrace 2025. Now that we’re already a month into the year, 2024 feels like a distant memory. While I tend to focus on the future, I encourage you to take a moment to review our 2024 Annual Report if you haven’t…
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…
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…
Research Funding Creates Jobs Bolsters Local Economies, & Protects our Nation’s Competitiveness Edge The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Business for Federal Research Funding (BFRF) Coalition, which currently includes over 70 chambers of commerce and business organizations in over 30 states across the…
Ames, Iowa – The Ames Regional Economic Alliance invites the community to kick off summer in Campustown with live music, a food truck showdown, and neighborly fun. The Ames Summer Series in Campustown will take place on Wednesday, June 18, from 4:00-7:00pm in Campustown Parking Lot Z, located just south…
Friday, May 16, 2025 – United Equipment Accessories, Inc. (UEA), a family-owned business and one of the largest global manufacturers of slip rings, rotary unions, and hose/cable reels, is expanding their Iowa footprint to Ames, IA. In addition to maintaining their current Waverly, Iowa operation, the company has identified an…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to announce the launch of the “Live – Work – Play in Ames” website and social media channels that are designed as a digital platform to showcase the myriad opportunities that make Ames and its surrounding communities vibrant places to reside, pursue careers,…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance Public Policy Program focuses on educating and engaging members on key legislative issues and initiatives impacting the Ames region. Maintaining strong relationships with federal, state, and locally elected officials is a key tenet of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, and a service we are proud…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance and partner organizations will be celebrating National Economic Development Week from May 12 – 16, 2025 to showcase the contributions of positive economic development and ongoing economic development projects in our communities. “Economic Development Week is a meaningful time for our organization as it highlights…
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,…
Thirty31 Partners is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Kubco Services, LLC, based in Houston, Texas, to its portfolio company, Innovative Technologies. This acquisition significantly expands Innovative Technologies’ reach, establishing a broader footprint across multiple key industries, including biofuels, oil and gas, petrochemical, rendering, and food processing. By combining Kubco…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is excited to launch the AREA Podcast, a new platform dedicated to sharing the personal stories and professional journeys of leaders across our region. The AREA Podcast will feature in-depth conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders, covering topics such as leadership, innovation, and economic development initiatives…
Webster City, Iowa (February 26, 2025) – The Webster City City Council has officially approved a resolution to create a 600-acre industrial park south of Highway 20, a strategic move designed to attract new business investment and create jobs for the region. This project will be developed as part of…
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…
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…
Greetings from the Ames Chamber of Commerce! For those in attendance, I hope you enjoyed listening to Brian Dieter, President & CEO of Mary Greeley Medical Center, speak at our State of Healthcare event that took place on Friday, September 23. I know I did! He discussed a wide range…
Magic Matt’s Cleaning didn’t begin with a flashy business plan or rapid-growth ambition. Instead, it started with a simple belief: people deserve a home and workplace they feel proud of and a service company they can truly trust. That belief, paired with a commitment to showing up and doing the…
For more than 50 years, Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods has blended tradition, innovation, and family leadership into a nationally recognized meat business rooted in Webster City. Founded by William “Bill” Korleski in the early 1970s, the company began as a small-town operation built on expertly seasoned and smoked meats. Today,…
At Northwest Bank, community engagement is not a side initiative; it is central to how the bank operates. In Ames, that commitment is reflected through consistent leadership, meaningful volunteerism, and an intentional investment in people and places. Honored as the 2025 Business of the Year, Northwest Bank continues to stand…
When people think of Italian cuisine, the Barilla name often comes to mind. Founded in Parma, Italy in 1877, Barilla has spent more than four generations perfecting the craft of pasta making. But while its heart may be Italian, one of its most important homes is right here in Ames,…
In 2025, Harold Pike Construction (HPC) marked a remarkable milestone: fifty years of shaping Ames and communities across central Iowa. Founded in 1975 by Harold and Julie Pike, the company began with a simple but powerful mission: to meet the construction needs of homeowners, businesses, developers, and Iowa State University…
For Eric Chriswisser, owner of All Star Auto Glass in Ames, great service starts with local pride. “We wanted to build a company that people could trust; not just because of our work, but because they know we’re part of the community,” Chriswisser says. “When you call us, you’re talking…
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Ames, Bandshell Park has been a cherished gathering spot and musical landmark for nearly a century. What started as a modest wooden bandstand has evolved into an enduring symbol of the city’s spirit and community pride. The site first became public land when the…
For more than four decades, Hawkeye Molding has been quietly shaping the world from the heart of Iowa. What began in 1979 as a rural custom thermoplastic injection-molding shop has grown into a diversified manufacturing operation supplying components for everything from coffee makers and lighting fixtures to agricultural and industrial…
From the outside, American Athletic’s Jefferson, Iowa, facilities look like any other advanced manufacturing hub in the Midwest. Inside, however, technicians are shaping the future of sports, hand-crafting world-class gymnastics and basketball equipment trusted from high school gyms to NCAA and professional arenas and Olympic stages. American Athletic, Inc. (AAI)…
At the edge of Boone, in a nondescript industrial building, a high-tech revolution is unfolding. Inside Critical Materials Recycling, Inc. (CMR), a small but growing team is pulling precious rare earth elements—crucial for everything from wind turbines to fighter jets—from an unlikely source: old hard drives. “We’re not digging into…
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…
