Ames Chamber of Commerce
  • Community Cash
  • Laughlin Level
    • Laughlin Level Space Request
  • Member Directory
    • Promotions & Coupons
  • Events & News
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Signature Events >
      • Annual Awards
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Traction Stories
    • Members in the News Form
    • Media Releases
    • Staff Updates
  • Membership
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Membership Application
    • Member Login
    • Member Did You Know Questionnaire
  • Chamber Programs
    • Advocacy >
      • Elected Officials Contact Form
    • Chamber Ambassadors >
      • Become an Ambassador
      • Ambassador Spotlight
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Leadership Ames >
      • Service Project Request Form
    • Workforce Solutions >
      • Future Ready Boone & Story
      • Bring Students On-Site
      • Story County Retraining Program
    • Affiliate Organizations
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report 2022
    • Contact Us
  • TRACTION

Media Releases

Welcome to the hub of information about the Ames Chamber of Commerce and its Affiliate Organizations. Use this page to find community facts and stats, news releases, and information on how to reach the Chamber's communications team. 

MEDIA CONTACT
Eric Smidt | ​Vice President, Marketing & Communications
515.232.2310 | eric@ameschamber.com

Ames to Maintain Metropolitan Statistical Area Status

7/30/2021

0 Comments

 
(July 30, 2021) - The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce Ames will maintain its Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) status.

The United States Office of Management and Budget issued a proposal in January 2021 that would have eliminated more than 140 MSA communities across the United States, including Ames.

“The MSA designation is critical to the greater Ames area for a number of reasons," said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. "When it comes to economic development projects, often, consultants and site selectors look to MSA communities first. Ames has also made a number of distinguished “best of” lists as a result of being in the MSA data sets. Additionally, larger communities, like Ames, benefit from direct federal entitlement payments and ultimately less competition for federal dollars and grants. This is a direct result of Ames being categorized as a metro area by the federal government"

Culhane worked closely with the Iowa delegation in Washington D.C. to prevent the proposed changes from implementation. “We acted quickly with Ames Mayor John Haila and City Manager Steve Schainker, along with peer communities across the U.S. that also would have been impacted negatively by the change, when we learned of the proposed elimination of a number of MSA’s. I am extremely grateful to Representative Randy Feenstra and Representative Ashley Hinson for their leadership to support U.S. House legislation that denied this change, that would have directly impacted major cities (Ames and Dubuque) in their respective districts. We received similar support from Representatives Cindy Axne and Marionette Miller-Meeks, the other two members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Iowa. Companion legislation in the United States Senate denying the change was similarly supported by both Senator Charles Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst, who mobilized resources from their offices to lend their voices and votes as well. I could not be more pleased with how responsive the entire Iowa federal delegation was on this matter," said Culhane. The Office of Management and Budget announced earlier this month they would not be making any changes to the MSA definition.
​
“Keeping the MSA designation is tremendous victory for our community," said Culhane. "I am greatly relieved that no change took place and look forward to the continued growth we will see as a result of maintaining this status."
For more information on the Ames Metropolitan Statistical Area, please visit AmesEDC.com or call 515.232.2310.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    April 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


Picture

304 Main St.
Ames, Iowa 50010
Phone: (515) 232-2310
About the Ames Chamber
Centrally and conveniently located in the heart of the Midwest and Iowa, Ames is known for its healthy, stable economy, flourishing cultural environment, and the world-renowned Iowa State University.
​
With over 700 members, the Ames Chamber of Commerce strives to make Ames a better place to live, work, and do business by strengthening the economic vitality and the quality of life in the Ames community.
Links
Home
Member Login
Policies & Privacy
​Sitemap
  • Community Cash
  • Laughlin Level
    • Laughlin Level Space Request
  • Member Directory
    • Promotions & Coupons
  • Events & News
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Signature Events >
      • Annual Awards
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Traction Stories
    • Members in the News Form
    • Media Releases
    • Staff Updates
  • Membership
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Membership Application
    • Member Login
    • Member Did You Know Questionnaire
  • Chamber Programs
    • Advocacy >
      • Elected Officials Contact Form
    • Chamber Ambassadors >
      • Become an Ambassador
      • Ambassador Spotlight
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Leadership Ames >
      • Service Project Request Form
    • Workforce Solutions >
      • Future Ready Boone & Story
      • Bring Students On-Site
      • Story County Retraining Program
    • Affiliate Organizations
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report 2022
    • Contact Us
  • TRACTION