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…
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…
Professional Environmental Services for Brownfield Community-wide Assessment Grant The Ames Regional Economic Alliance, hereafter known as “Alliance” is soliciting qualifications and proposals for professional environmental services from qualified vendors (Respondents) to provide grant writing and environmental services to the “Alliance” with the needs outlined in the RFQP. The “Alliance” plans…
Community leaders, residents, and project partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Phase 1 of Southside Estates, a new residential subdivision by Keystone Equity Group LLC, in partnership with the City of Roland. Phase 1 of the development will include 18 residential lots as part of the project’s planned 54…
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance is proud to announce that the AREA Podcast has been honored with an Award of Excellence in the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards, the program’s highest distinction. The Communicator Awards recognize excellence, effectiveness, and innovation across all areas of communication. This year’s competition received more than 3,000 entries from agencies,…
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 and partner organizations will be celebrating National Economic Development Week from May 4-8, 2026 to showcase the contributions of positive economic development and ongoing economic development projects in our communities. “Economic development is about creating opportunities that strengthen our businesses, communities, and quality of life,”…
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…
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…
Piece & Freedom Bakery has quickly established itself as a distinctive addition to Downtown Ames. The Ukrainian-owned bakery recently marked its one-year anniversary and was honored as the Trailblazer of the Year by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. Together, those milestones reflect both the business’ early success and its growing…
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….
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…
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…
The City of Gilbert is proud to announce the grand opening of Steel Street that is not only providing another access point for community drivers but also to the brand-new light commercial park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Monday evening. This long-targeted business park, which spans almost ten acres,…
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…
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…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is excited to welcome Elizabeth Ross to the team as Economic Development Coordinator. “Elizabeth will be a great addition to our team,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. “Elizabeth’s skillset fits our team perfectly, and…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is excited to welcome Ronnie Olson to the team as the new Client Services Coordinator. “We are very excited to have Ronnie join our team,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. “It is easy to…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
Engagement and giving back to the community are part of the fabric of First National Bank, located in Downtown Ames. They were the presenting sponsor of this year’s 515 Days, a three-day event that included a nighttime farmers’ market with food trucks, vendors, and live music, kid and family activities,…
The Boone Community School District and Mary Greeley Medical Center (MGMC) established a partnership to provide students with opportunities to explore healthcare careers during the 2020-2021 school year. Gracie Boon, a 2024 graduate of Boone High School, is one of the beneficiaries of that partnership. Thanks to her experience through…
Every day at Overflow Thrift Stores, savvy shoppers find great deals and vintage treasures. But for the past ten years, Overflow’s mission has been more than simply providing an economical and unique shopping option in Story County. “The heartbeat of the Overflow team is a desire to transform the abundance…
“We got to know each other back in the late 1980’s when we both worked as Iowa State students in the Sports Department at WOI-TV. After graduation, we both worked full-time at the station as sportscasters. In 1996, we decided to leave that profession and use our video skills and…
“My entrepreneurial journey started outside at a public park training dogs. With business picking up, I then decided to invest our personal money into our garage to remodel it. This allowed me to obtain my state license certification as a commercial kennel. I have enjoyed continuing to build and expand…
“I came to Iowa State with no expectation to leave as an entrepreneur. However, due to the resources, support, and innovative culture at Iowa State University, I was able to graduate and go into my company full time. The path to entrepreneurship is challenging. Embracing failure is crucial—it’s the best…
This year, Burke Corporation in Nevada, Iowa, is celebrating 50 years as one of the leading manufacturers of customized crumbles and meatballs in the pizza industry. In 1973, Bill Burke, Sr., had a vision that has evolved into one of the premier economic development success stories of the region. The…
Imaging USA is the premier photography conference, trade show, and exhibit in the United States, attracting 10,000 professional photographers each year. Those in attendance attend classes to improve business and technical skills and learn from some of the nation’s leading photography professionals. This year’s event took place January 28-30 in…
