Ames Chamber of Commerce releases A Bold Vision strategic plan

The Ames Chamber of Commerce has unveiled a new strategic plan effective through the year 2022. The new strategic plan, named “A Bold Vision” describes the organization’s core focus and vision for future success while also identifying areas where the Ames Chamber of Commerce will direct its energy and resources over the next several years.
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The previous strategic plan, Vision 2022, was released in 2017 and resulted in several highly successful new initiatives, including promoting Ames and Story County to a national audience through Livability Magazine, the development of Prairie View Industrial Center, and the expansion of the Workforce Solutions Programming.

“Many goals from the original 5-year plan have been surpassed and a number of things needed to be added to our strategic priorities so we decided to embark upon a new, 3-year plan, entitled A Bold Vision,” says Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. “The new plan is bold in that we are focused on growing the market to support the job growth we have witnessed with the firm belief that will continue. As our employment sector increases, so does the need for housing and amenities to support the people that would like to live in proximity to where they work in Ames and Story County. That is where we need to be bullish and creative on the amenities that will attract people to not simply take jobs in our communities, but live here too.

“This is a tremendous time to live and work in Ames and Story County. Yet, we need bold vision and leadership moving forward to maximize the opportunities that are ahead of us.”

A Bold Vision outlines six organizational goals in the area of (1) Workforce Development, (2) Advocacy, (3) Placemaking, (4) Business Development, (5) Small Business Programming, and (6) Organizational Sustainability. These goals were determined through a consultation with the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa during focus groups with board members, key stakeholders, and staff. They also completed an online survey with Ames Chamber of Commerce members.  

Some key deliverables outlined in the plan include:

• Growing the size of the Ames Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) by 70,000 while increasing the diversity and quality of the labor pool
• Ensuring a voice at the table for Story County businesses and residents that promotes healthy development
• Grow Story County’s economy by assisting with projects that create 1,500 new jobs

The 2020-2022 strategic plan can be viewed on the Ames Chamber of Commerce website at www.AmesChamber.com.