Earlier today the team at Innovative Technologies along with representatives from the City of Huxley, Huxley Development Corporation, and the Ames Economic Development Commission held a virtual ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of a facility to support the launch of a new division along with production capabilities at this Huxley-based business.   

“We are excited about the opportunity to grow and diversify our business in Huxley and Story County,” says Nick Skow, President of Innovative Technologies. “We continue to react to opportunities in the marketplace; expanding our product offerings to meet the needs of our current and future customers.   We are pleased to launch our newest division; Innovative Machine Works.  Utilizing the latest in CNC technology we are able to deliver highly accurate parts and products in a short turnaround from our central location in Huxley.”

Along with the new facility, investing in state-of -the art equipment and technology has been made.  The new equipment includes CNC milling, CNC and Manual turning, and saw cutting. The Innovative Machine Works operation has the capacity to produce 1 to 1,000+ parts along with precision tolerances ranging from +/- 0.0001-0.0005 based on needed specifications.  The Innovative Machine Works team can work on a variety of finishes and metals to meet the needs of their customers. 

Kevin Deaton, Mayor of Huxley explains, “I am very happy that Innovative Technologies located in Huxley a couple years ago.  We are glad they have made the decision to make additional investment while retaining and creating employment in our community.”

The final equipment has arrived in Huxley and will be installed in the coming week.  The Innovative Machine Works team stands ready to assist customers needing customized machining work throughout the Midwest.  More information can be found at inn-technologies.com.  

“It is great to see Innovative Technologies continuing to pursue new opportunities to grow their business,” says Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Economic Development Commission. “The new division is great for their diversification and the facility expansion, combined with meaningful job growth, is great for the Huxley community.”
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The Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC) organizes and promotes sound economic growth in Ames and central Iowa by stimulating the expansion of existing industry, attracting new enterprises, and assuring a favorable community climate for new ideas and economic growth. To learn more, visit www.AmesEDC.com.

The Ames Chamber of Commerce is working to compile a comprehensive list of minority-owned businesses in Ames and Story County, Iowa. The list will be used to open communications with the businesses and develop programming they find valuable.

“Developing this list of minority-owned businesses is just the first step in opening a line of communication between the businesses and the Chamber,” says Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. “We have a duty to ensure that our community is safe and inclusive for all and to support our business owners in any way possible. By developing this list, we can reach out to these minority-owned business owners directly to open a line of dialogue and learn how we can further support them in our community.”

In addition to developing this list of minority-owned businesses, the Ames Chamber of Commerce continues to partner with local leaders to develop programming to support an inclusive community.
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If you are a minority-owned business, please reach out to the Ames Chamber of Commerce directly at aedcintern@ameschamber.com, or 515-232-2310.

The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market is pleased to be a part of the Double Up Food Bucks program, a healthy food incentive program that helps low income families eat more healthy food and support local farmers. A program of Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, Double Up matches the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at participating farmers’ markets, helping people bring home healthier, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

“We are excited to see Double Up Food Bucks expanding to the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market," says Lojean Petersen, Manager of the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market. "With over 100 vendors, The Market provides a great variety of products for everyone looking to buy local, including our Double Up families."

The Double Up Food Bucks program saw substantial growth in sales across Iowa in 2019. Customers participating in the healthy food incentive program redeemed a total of $132,430 to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at 34 different locations.

Here’s how Double Up works: Double Up matches the value of SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) purchases made at participating sites with additional dollars to spend on fresh, locally grown produce. For instance, a family that spends $10 in SNAP benefits at a participating farmers market receives an additional $10 in Double Up Food Bucks to purchase Iowa grown fruits and vegetables. 

To use your SNAP EBT at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market, come to the Information Tent in front of American Country on Main Street, there you can use your SNAP EBT and receive your DUFB dollars.

The wins are three-fold: low-income families eat more healthy food, local farmers gain new customers, and more food dollars stay in the local economy. Each has a ripple effect of benefits.
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Ames is one of the few places in Iowa where they have 2 locations participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program, Wheatsfield Co-op also participates as well as the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market. The Double Up Food Bucks can be used at either location.