Growing Iowa’s Economy will promote the responsible development of new data centers in order to help: Iowa (Monday, August 3, 2026) – Today, a bipartisan group of Iowa labor, economic development, business and issue advocacy leaders announced the launch of Growing Iowa’s Economy. The coalition will advocate for policies to…
As July comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the conversations happening across our community. Last week, we shared an op-ed, We Owe It to Ourselves to Consider the Opportunity, regarding the possibility of a data center locating in Ames. I knew it might not be a universally popular position,…
AMES, Iowa — Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) and United Way of Story County (UWSC) have released the results of the Story County Child Care Feasibility Study, offering a practical, evidence-based roadmap to improve child care access, affordability, and quality across the region. The study assesses the local child care…
By Dan Culhane, President & CEO, Ames Regional Economic Alliance Few topics have generated as much discussion in our community recently as the possibility of a data center locating in Ames. That conversation can be healthy. Large projects should invite questions, careful analysis, and public input. They should also withstand…
CrawDaddy Outdoors is bringing a renewed kind of energy to Ames, one built around exploration, skill building, and a willingness to step beyond the familiar. Originally founded in Waverly, Iowa, the outdoor retailer and adventure company has expanded into Downtown Ames, creating a hub for both seasoned adventurers and those…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: What has been accomplished? Five years ago, Story County began working on expanding rural broadband throughout the county. As of this year resources have been secured to bring accessible and affordable broadband to 100% of the unincorporated areas in Story County. Much implementation has already been done,…
DES MOINES –The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced Boone, Grinnell, Le Mars and Maquoketa as the 2027–2028 Iowa Thriving Communities, recognizing their innovation and commitment to advancing housing opportunities. “Boone, Grinnell, Le Mars and Maquoketa have gone above and beyond to unite local…
Hamilton County has been selected to join Keep Iowa Beautiful’s Hometown Pride program, a volunteer‑driven community development program that turns local ideas into lasting impact. The program will launch this fall in nine participating communities: Blairsburg, Ellsworth, Jewell, Kamrar, Randall, Stanhope, Stratford, Webster City, and Williams. Each community will work…
For nearly five decades, Technical Services, Inc. has quietly helped manufacturers solve some of their most complex production challenges. From custom automation equipment to precision machining and robotics integration, the Ames-based company has built its reputation on designing systems tailored to the exact needs of its customers. Founded in 1977…
As we close another productive month at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, I’ve been reflecting on the important role our organization plays in shaping the future of our region. Earlier this month, members of the Alliance team and regional partners joined Governor Kim Reynolds at the Iowa State Capitol as…
Enrollment is now open for Everbrook Academy, a new childcare and early learning education center located at 2310 E. 13th St. on the Danfoss Power Solutions Ames campus. Everbrook Academy is a 16,000-square-foot facility designed to provide convenient access to exceptional childcare for working families. This new school will offer…
On the west side of Ames, The Dot has quickly become a go-to spot for fresh, thoughtfully prepared breakfast & lunch, and a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Dot keeps things simple in the best way, serving breakfast all day and…
As July comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the conversations happening across our community. Last week, we shared an op-ed, We Owe It to Ourselves to Consider the Opportunity, regarding the possibility of a data center locating in Ames. I knew it might not be a universally popular position,…
As we close another productive month at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, I’ve been reflecting on the important role our organization plays in shaping the future of our region. Earlier this month, members of the Alliance team and regional partners joined Governor Kim Reynolds at the Iowa State Capitol as…
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…
Pioneer Property Management and the City of Boone celebrated the groundbreaking of The Villas at Fox Pointe, located at the northwest corner of 22nd Street and P Avenue in Boone, Iowa, on Thursday, October 6, 2022. This groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of a two-phase, $19 million investment in Boone….
The Iowa Finance Authority recently approved a senior housing tax credit project for the community of Boone. The $7.6 million new construction project will include 30 total units, all two-bedroom, for community members 55+ years of age. Twenty-seven of those units will be identified as affordable housing units while three…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2022 Inter-City Visit from August 17-19, where city and community leaders from Ames, Boone, and Nevada toured Marion, Cedar Falls, and Dubuque and met with their community leaders. “The purpose of the trip is to bring business, civic, and community leaders together to…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is excited to welcome Eric Smidt to the team as Vice President of Marketing & Communications.“I am excited that Eric decided to join our team here at the Ames Chamber of Commerce,” said Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames…
Governor Kim Reynolds has recently announced eight recipients of the Iowa Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program. The Boone Community School District has been awarded over $410,000 to further expand their existing apprenticeship program. The Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship Program is a new grant opportunity built on an innovative learning…
The Ames Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce that both the City of Boone and City of Collins have received funding for Downtown renovation projects. The Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded both cities with $100,000, respectively, for projects that will transform an underutilized building into new commercial and…
In March, the City of Ogden and Ogden Legacy announced that they were again partnering to provide homeowners the opportunity to apply for matching funds to make exterior improvements to their Ogden residences. In addition to funding for exterior work, the City and Ogden Legacy were successful in their efforts…
Recognizing the desire of Ogden to accelerate its housing interests, the Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has come to an agreement with the City of Ogden for an enhanced level of support beyond those that would generally be expected. The agreement comes as a result of the City of Ogden’s…
The Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has entered into a contract of services with the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation (BCEGC). With the addition of this new contract, the Ames Economic Development Commission will now play a role in strengthening the BCEGC organization while building stronger partnerships across Boone County…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the 2022 State of the Community will be held at the Ames Community School District Administration Office on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. The State of Community, sponsored by the Ames Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of…
The Ames Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Emory Widlowski and Caroline Stewart as new additions to their staff. “I am thrilled to have two brand new graduates of Iowa State University joining our team,” says Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. “Emory’s event…
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…
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…
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…
Iowa State University (ISU) was recently named the #1 Entrepreneurial University of the Year for the Americas by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities. This latest recognition of Iowa State’s entrepreneurship program is the third national or international award in as many years and is the result of…
In 1996, Anne Taylor and Roger Ossian launched A & R Marketing, a custom screen printing and embroidery company, located in Campustown. For the past 27 years, they have served the business and Iowa State community with apparel marketing needs. Thinking back to those early days, Ossian said “the company…
In 2022, YSS, focused on creating hope and opportunity by putting kids first, launched its Ambassador Program with Gabe Kalscheur as their first-ever YSS Ambassador. Kalscheur, a member of the Iowa State men’s basketball team at the time, engaged in volunteer activities such as helping at the local YSS youth…
Name, image and likeness — more commonly known as NIL — has rapidly become an integral part of collegiate athletics over the past couple of years. The adoption of NIL stems from a 2021 court case, and subsequent NCAA rules change, that allows student-athletes to monetize their personal brand and…
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…
