The Ames Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Crystal Davis to the team as Executive Director of Ames Main Street (AMS).

“Crystal understands what it takes to lead our main street organization because she understands Ames,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. "For much of her career, she has been embedded in our community in a variety of ways, including here at the Ames Chamber of Commerce. I am excited to welcome Crystal back.”

As the Executive Director of Ames Main Street, Davis will serve as the primary public relations person for Ames Main Street and will oversee the daily operations and programming. She will actively work with the Ames Main Street Board of Directors, the City of Ames, and private investors, to help make Downtown Ames better. This includes property development, business recruitment, and long-range planning. This position also serves as the main point of contact for the Campustown program.

Prior to joining the Ames Chamber of Commerce, Davis most recently worked with the Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation as their Donor & Corporate Engagement Officer. She was responsible for donor and corporate relations programming while leading the marketing and communication efforts of the Foundation. Prior to that, Davis worked for the Story County Medical Center Endowment Foundation, as well as the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau. In that capacity, Davis worked both in Member & Visitor Services and communications.

"Downtown Ames is the heartbeat of the Ames community, full of arts and culture, history, vibrant shopping, unique dining experiences, and is a large part of what makes Ames the place to live, work and play,” said Davis. “I am excited to work with Ames Main Street businesses to create an even more vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike!"

​Davis began her position on November 30 and can be reached at crystal@ameschamber.com

​The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is excited to welcome Shannon Thiele to the team as Director of Member Retention & Affiliate Programming.

“Shannon is a wonderful addition, and the right fit, for our Ames Chamber of Commerce team,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. "Earlier this year, we passed 700 members, and Shannon’s ability to engage our members, as well as lead our affiliate programming will be essential as we continue to grow.”

As the Director of Member Retention & Affiliate Programming, Thiele will assist with the cultivation of existing members, the identification and solicitation of prospective members within the Ames MSA for both membership and sponsorship. This position will also serve as the staff liaison to two affiliate organizations: FUEL, the young professionals’ organization, as well as the Ames Foundation. Additionally, Thiele will assist with Campustown programming by collaborating with the Executive Director of Ames Main Street.

Prior to joining the Ames Chamber of Commerce, Thiele most recently worked at RE/MAX Real Estate Center as a Closing Coordinator, as well as a Client Services Coordinator. In that capacity, she worked with realtors, lenders, and clients throughout the Ames and Des Moines area and communicated milestones through the entire closing process.

“I am extremely excited to join as the new Director of Membership Retention & Affiliate Programming and build relationships with the members of the Ames Chamber of Commerce,” said Thiele. “I have considered Ames home since attending Iowa State University and my passion for the surrounding area has grown over the years. I am thrilled to continue building the community of businesses that already make Ames such a great place to live.”

​Thiele began her position on November 28 and can be reached at shannon@ameschamber.com

SmartAsset ranked the Ames MSA as the #1 Best Place to Work in Manufacturing. The 2022 ranking analyzed nearly 400 metro areas across topics such as manufacturing employment, income, and cost of living.

Local manufacturing can provide high wage jobs, be essential for innovation, help reduce the national trade deficit and contribute to environmental sustainability, according to The Brookings Institute. However, U.S. manufacturing jobs have been shrinking over the past few decades (down more than 35% between 1995 and 2020). Given this trend, SmartAsset annually highlights the areas of the country that have been and continue to be strongholds for manufacturing.

To do this, SmartAsset analyzed nearly 400 metro areas across topics such as manufacturing employment, income, and cost of living. The 2022 ranking marked the seventh study by SmartAsset on the best places to work in manufacturing.

Key findings show that Midwestern and Southern metro areas comprise the majority of the top 10 places. These areas rank well for historical job and income growth over one- and three-year periods. No Northeastern metro areas cracked the top 10.

Additionally, manufacturing industries are shrinking in more than half of metro areas. Of the 378 metro areas that were compared, 165 places saw a decline in the number of manufacturing workers between 2019 and 2020. This marks a significant change from last year’s study when only 113 metro areas saw a decline in manufacturing jobs between 2018 and 2019.

Ames, Iowa claimed the top spot in this year’s ranking after significant growth in both manufacturing employment and income over a one-year period beginning in 2019 - both of which increased by more than 13%. Over a longer period of time (three years), Ames also ranks top 30 for both of the aforementioned topics. Roughly 17% of the workforce is in the manufacturing industry and the area as a whole has a low unemployment rate of 2.4%.

​You can read more about the SmartAsset ranking and methodology on their website.