“What keeps you up at night?” This is the question I ask when conversing with business owners and Chamber members. The number one answer across the entire county is workforce. Our business owners are collectively facing barriers recruiting and retaining employees throughout Story County.
This doesn’t surprise me. With a 2% unemployment rate and more than 1,600 jobs openings, we have an extreme shortage of eligible workers in our county. So much so, it is the number one priority we are striving to address on our new strategic plan, A Bold Vision, which we rolled out in January of this year. Lack of employees is just one piece of the puzzle; however, we have found through research completed by the Iowa Women’s Foundation and our annual Business Retention and Expansion visits with area companies that it’s not simply a lack of people in our community, rather it’s a growing need for childcare. When parents can’t fill the childcare need for their children, they find it hard to justify working in the community. Oftentimes, when childcare is too expensive or hard to come by, someone in the family stays home to care for the children during the day, removing them from the workforce. We have found that these caregivers want to work in the community but don’t have the essential care for their children during the day. This is one of many target audiences we have been working to advocate on behalf of at the Ames Chamber of Commerce. On a state level, we are supporting the passage of eight active pieces of legislation related to improving childcare. Each of these address a specific need within the childcare issue, such as affordability, accessibility, and on-site facility expansions. If passed, these bills will ensure childcare is adequately addressed and quality childcare is provided to all who need it, making Iowa as a whole a more family-friendly place to work and live. When the issues of how your children will be cared for while you are at work is covered and no longer an issue, quality of life, quality of place, and quality of work will only increase. On a local level, we have found that not only is childcare expensive, it’s increasingly lacking in our community, which is why it is so hard to come by. We are supporting the Child Care Ready program developed by Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral. This program held an orientation last week at the Ames Public Library for anyone interested in becoming a professional childcare provider. The Ames Chamber of Commerce is a proud sponsor of this two-week program that includes free training and technical assistance on the multitude of career pathways available within the childcare industry, navigating the Department of Human Services employment process, and more. When those who want to work in childcare are able to access the resources and trainings needed to do so, then we can begin to provide a range of opportunities for children of all ages, allowing parents and guardians the opportunity to work in their preferred fields. These are only a couple of the ways we have worked to address the growing need of childcare in our community. As the year continues, we will continue to advocate for more programming, training, and opportunities to grow our county’s workforce. As many more programs and bills appear to support these efforts, we will be the champions advocating for their success, and I hope you will join me in supporting these efforts.
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As we round out the first month of the new decade, many of us are finally back in the swing of things and diving deep into projects. It is truly a spectacular time to be in Ames and Story County. With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States while still adding new jobs and recruiting new talent, Ames and Story County is thriving. But, in order to maintain this momentum, we need the community to step up and help out.
We are fortunate to live in a community where so many of our employers encourage civic engagement among their staff. I’m always impressed to see the number of businesses that shut down for the day to serve with United Way of Story County’s Day of Caring, a day-long event that takes place every September to kick off their fundraising campaign and provide service to the community through various projects. The Ames Chamber of Commerce staff is always excited to participate in Day of Caring, as an opportunity to build comradery among the team, and help enhance the community. When I see our Story County employers encourage service hours among their staff, or shut down to complete a service project, I know they are placing value on enhancing our vibrant community and want it to thrive as much as we do. I regularly encourage my team to seek out initiatives they are passionate about and encourage them to sit on their board or serve on a committee to help make an impact. I’m pleased to see so many members of our team serve as mentors, speak to classes, and work with all different types of organizations because they want to make a difference. We all have unique skills and expertise that makes us an influential member of the community. As we head deeper into this new year, civic engagement from all of us is necessary for our success, and there are so many ways to get involved! The City of Ames and Story County Board of Supervisors are currently looking for community members to serve on our boards and commissions. Additionally, there are numerous nonprofit organizations that are always looking for extra support. The Boys & Girls Club of Story County, Youth & Shelter Services, and United Way of Story County to name a few. These nonprofit organizations are vital to building our community and provide an essential helping hand to those who need it. Or, if you’re unable to commit to serving on a board or commission, organizations such as Ames Main Street, The Ames Foundation, Campustown Action Association, and the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market all thrive on volunteers to help make their events a success. Want to make an impact? Then please join me in serving to help grow Ames and Story County. Check out the City of Ames website for more information about boards and commissions, or contact your favorite nonprofit organization and learn how you can get started in helping out today. Engage in 2020! Your community will be grateful and you will get the satisfaction of making a difference where you live. On December 12 the Ames Chamber of Commerce held its annual event. This year’s event focused on our Bold Vision for 2020 and beyond, and it was great to see so many business leaders in Story County get on board with our vision. We will be launching our new strategic plan wrapped around the idea of this bold vision in the first part of the new year, and I’m excited for you to see it.
The idea of our bold vision came as we were reviewing some data that we found really staggering that I’d like to share with you. In January of 2010, there were 50,100 jobs in Ames and Story County or the Ames Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), a federal criterion for measuring marketplaces. At the same time, unemployment was 4.8%. Who wouldn’t love 4.8% unemployment today? Because then we could put all of those people to work. The latest data set we have is from October of 2019. According to those numbers, there are 62,700 jobs in the Ames MSA. We have an unemployment rate of 1.3%. That’s 12,600 new jobs in the last nine and a half years in Ames and Story County. Think about that for a minute. That’s incredible job growth for a market of roughly 100,000 people. That’s 1,260 jobs a year. I think our strategic plan would love if we could be part of companies in creating 1,260 jobs a year. 105 new jobs per month, and I’m not going to break it down by the day. But the point is, that is significant job growth for a market of this size. That shows you that we continue to punch our weight class here in this Ames MSA and this Ames and Story County community. Here’s the question: how many of those 12,600 people live in Ames or Story County? What would our market look like if 75% of those people lived here or in Nevada or in Huxley or points in between Story City? That’s my challenge to you. How do we take our first step into 2020, into a new decade, trying to find that solution? That solution is a bold vision. A bold vision for Ames. A bold vision for Story County. A bold vision for business, workforce. A bold vision for community. A bold vision for one of our core values at the Ames Chamber of Commerce, the greater good. Bold vision for you. And certainly, bold vision for me every day as the leader of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. And bold vision for our future generations. Join us in this exciting journey with a bold vision for every aspect of Story County, whether it’s the greater good, diversity and inclusion, community growth, or whatever it might be. Please join us in 2020. Thanks to all of you for being active and engaged community members. With your continued support, I promise our success is assured. Enjoy the rest of your year, go Cyclones, and all the best for a great 2020! Last night the Ames Chamber of Commerce and affiliate organizations celebrated their 2019 annual award winners during a special ceremony at Ames Golf & Country Club. I am always impressed to see the number of award winners we have each year, because they represent a part of the incredible momentum and growth of our community.
This year we had a remarkable number of 24 individuals and businesses receive awards for their hard work, commitment, and contributions to the Story County community. Learning about the incredible work these winners accomplished over the year was a great reminder of how much our community is thriving. Let me tell you about some of the highlights that our award winners do to build our community’s vitality. The staff of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. nominated their Chief of Staff and Vice President, Natalie Merrill as Business Person of the Year. It always speaks volumes to me when a staff bands together to nominate a leader for an award, because it shows how much she has inspired and empowered them through the last year. Natalie has helped REG accomplish many great things through her tenure and the team mentality and pride among her staff is moving. Gary Botine, Chief Financial Officer at Mary Greeley Medical Center, has spent the last year sitting on not one, not two, but three boards within the community to further enhance the vitality of Ames and Story County. His dedication toward giving back to our great community is inspiring and well deserving of the Community Impact award. Seeing an entrepreneur’s dream come to life is fantastic, which is why we were proud to award Mindy Bergstrom, owner of Cooks’ Emporium and Nook & Nest, the Entrepreneur of the Year award. She took one staple business of Downtown Ames and remodeled it, then turned around to open the doors of a brand-new business shortly after to further expand on the experience she was selling. Business owners like Mindy know that running a business is more than just the product you sell; it’s creating an experience for your guests that inspires and enriches them to come back again and again and seeing your dreams come to life. This year we were excited to partner with Iowa State University and the City of Ames again to host the second Symposium on Building Inclusive Organizations. Joel Hochstein of Iowa State played an integral role in bringing this event to life, acting as a planning committee member of the event, serving as chair of the Ames Human Relations Commission, and mediating a panel. With his never-ending work to build Story County as a more inclusive place to live, work and play, it was only natural that he received the Diversity and Inclusion award. The Ambassadors of the Ames Chamber of Commerce serve as representatives to welcome new businesses to the community, celebrate accomplishments for our members, and build a bridge for those who may not know how to get involved with the Chamber. David Tucker, Great Western Bank, has gone above and beyond this past year ensuring new members and existing businesses feel welcome in our community. David’s dedication to make others feel included is the epitome of the ambassador program, and why he was awarded Ambassador of the Year. We were pleased to offer nine businesses in Story County Economic Impact awards: Accurate Development, Alliant Energy, the City of Collins, Deere & Company, Gross-Wen Technologies, Landus Cooperative, Performance Livestock Analytics, Verbio North America, and Vertex Software. Each of these companies have provided outstanding contributions to support economic growth in Story County. From partnering with existing organizations to provide opportunities for growing manufacturers to create new technology, to redeveloping and enhancing a budding downtown district, to building a startup business and growing faster than anyone could have realized, each of these entities have done great things in Story County this year. Our young professionals organization, FUEL Story County, recognizes four members of the community under the age of 40. This year, Brianne Anderson from Ames Public Library, Lawrence Cunningham from Iowa State Daily Media Group, Christian Hempen from GVL, and Taylor Hopper from FOX Engineering walked away with the awards. While each individual accomplished many great things, one thing they have in common is their passion for growing the current and future generations and engaging them through programming like that offered through our FUEL Story County organization. Our affiliate organizations like the Campustown Action Association, Ames Main Street and The Ames Foundation recognized volunteers who have helped their organizations grow and thrive in the past year. Letitia Kenemer of Iowa State University Memorial Union for leading Campustown events with a can-do attitude, Eric Abrams of Duck Worth Wearing and The Loft for his meaningful support of Ames Main Street, and Ben Hershey of Country Landscapes for doing above and beyond to assist The Ames Foundation with their beautification projects. The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market recognized VisionBank for their support toward local vendors and opportunities. As non-profit organizations, it is with the support of the community that we are able to succeed, and when our volunteers and businesses believe in the visions of these entities, we can accomplish great things. These 24 individuals and businesses represent just a fraction of the great things happening in Ames and Story County right now. As we look ahead into 2020 there are many more incredible things on the way, and I can’t wait to head into the new year with a bold vision for what is to come. Diversity and inclusion have been brought to the forefront of workforce dialogue, and it’s a conversation that is long overdue. As I meet with Chamber members, it’s clear that the business community is thirsty for more information on this important topic.
As individuals we know that being intentional in developing a more inclusive community is the right thing to do. It just makes sense. Who doesn’t want to feel welcome and respected in their communities, and to be accepted for who they are? And from a business standpoint we need to do a better job of creating environments and a culture that are welcoming to all. As our economy grows, so does the need for more workforce, and we want a welcoming community to attract and retain the workforce of the future. We want newcomers to love this community and build their futures here. We want everyone to feel comfortable in their neighborhoods and where they work. And we want to empower leaders to be as well-equipped as possible to properly embrace diversity in the workplace, and to hire from all backgrounds and help them be successful. Last year the Ames Chamber of Commerce began a new partnership with the City of Ames Human Relations Commission and Iowa State University Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Together we developed A Symposium on Building Inclusive Organizations and are pleased to host our second annual event next month. This year’s half-day symposium will take place on October 29 and will provide practical strategies towards building more inclusive workplaces in Ames and Story County. We are excited to welcome internationally-renowned author and speaker Ritu Bhasin as our keynote speaker, and several experts from across central Iowa will lead our breakout sessions. Our partners in presenting this symposium are telling us how important this topic is today and the impact it will have on our future. What a great opportunity if those who are here from around the world can stay and build their lives here. Creating a welcoming community is an ongoing discussion and process, and everyone’s responsibility. We are mindful of how important this conversation is to our community moving forward, and hosting this symposium is just one thing we are doing. We will continue to be advocates of NAACP, Ames Pride, the Ames Miracle Park and other initiatives that help build community, foster mutual respect and ensure equality of rights for all. Join us on October 29 to build more diverse and inclusive organizations and help Ames and Story County be the most welcoming place to live, work and do business. It’s back to school time! Every August our community seems to come to life again, with an influx of students moving to campus.
While our community seems to bust at the seams during the first few weeks of fall, soon it’ll settle down. The students will get into their studies, join clubs and participate in activities. As the excitement and newness wears off, these students will be looking for things to do away from campus. Remember how it felt to be in a completely new place. You didn’t know many – if any – people. You couldn’t find your way around. The sound of trains woke you up at night. Nothing was familiar. You just wanted something to feel like home, to be welcomed, and to feel a part of it all. Today’s students feel the same way. They may have GPS to guide them, and social media to stay connected to friends back home, but they still are looking for a place that feels like home. Let’s help them feel at home in Ames and Story County. As citizens of Ames, this is our opportunity to embrace the students and help them find their place here. Many of us are here because of Iowa State University. Some of us came to Ames for college and never left, while some of us left and then were drawn back. Many people grew up here, with parents who were connected to Iowa State. Whatever your reason, it’s safe to say that our community is so appealing because of the energy, innovation and amenities of a college town. Instead of grumbling about the additional traffic, focus on the positive! The diverse student population brings new ideas, backgrounds and experiences that enables our community to grown into an inclusive and caring place for all. How many communities double in size each August? Our college students make us unique and special, let’s help them see our other unique and special assets. Their being here is what makes Ames so great! So what can we do? Help them feel welcome. Say hello. Offer directions. If you’re a business owner, welcome them into your shop as if they are longtime customers. Ask them about themselves. Let them know that the people of Ames are glad they are here. Help them see that they have a home in Ames both now and in the future. Remember what it was like to be in their shoes. Be nice. Be compassionate. And most of all, be welcoming. We’ve heard a lot about the proposed Healthy Life Center (HLC) in recent months. This project is a progressive partnership that will create opportunities for intergenerational interaction, and the Ames Chamber of Commerce proudly supports this initiative as it goes to community vote next month.
The HLC is an amenity that would be a powerful selling-point in attracting people and growing our population. With the lowest unemployment rate in North America coupled with a high number of job openings – both current and planned – we need amenities like this to help make our community more appealing and inviting. Ames is a jobs center and nearly 21,000 workers commute into our community on a daily basis to go to work at one of our companies or institutions. Wouldn’t it be great if they chose to live in Ames too? Access to year-round indoor activities such as a playground, pool and recreation space would be a tremendous asset in helping to attract and retain families. Consider the winter of 2018-19. A facility like this would have been a location of welcomed relief for people of all ages. The Ames community is routinely lauded for being one of the best places in America to retire, a population that brings additional taxes and spending to our community. Creating modern spaces to provide programming for our growing senior population is not only the right thing to do but would also further substantiate these rankings. The Ames Chamber of Commerce recognizes the urgency to continue to make our community attractive and inviting to all. People of all age demographics are needed to support our economy. The Ames Chamber of Commerce believes the Healthy Life Center would be another powerful asset to go along with a number of other amenities to attract people to our community, which is why we urge its passage on September 10. A fresh class full of bright young engineers, agronomists, plant scientists and other budding technologists just graduated from Iowa State University. These are the young men and women who will fuel our innovation economy and keep farms and other businesses booming in central Iowa, and there’s plenty of demand for their skills. Many of these grads accepted job offers six months ago and have already begun promising careers for grateful employers who have long struggled to recruit well-trained technical workers.
A startling number of ISU’s graduates, however, won’t be joining the American workforce. It’s not because they can’t find jobs. It’s because they were born in another country. Under our current immigration system, it’s incredibly hard for American businesses to hire and retain skilled foreign graduates. That’s a shocking waste of talent, and it’s a big part of why I’m so delighted to see new legislation proposed to streamline America’s skilled-worker visa system and make it easier for U.S. businesses to hire the workers they so desperately need. The bipartisan Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which Senator Joni Ernst co-sponsored, is heading for a Senate vote soon. It would remove the per-country cap for employment-based green card applications, making it easier for talent across the globe to bring their skills here. At present, only 7 percent of each year’s green cards can go to citizens of any single country, meaning that applicants from many countries face a decade-long wait for green cards. For applicants with an advanced degree from India, where demand is especially high, the expected wait for legal residency is a shocking 150 years. Unsurprisingly, those delays are leading many skilled workers – even those already working in the United States on H-1B skilled-worker visas – to look elsewhere. The H-1B system is more congested and less stable than it used to be: visa applications are being rejected at the highest rate in a decade, with U.S. companies this year filing more than 201,000 applications for just 85,000 available H-1B visas. H-1B status also makes it hard for workers to change jobs and use their skills where they’re most needed. Without a clear and timely path to a green card, many talented workers are simply giving up, and looking to build futures in places like Canada, instead of putting down roots here in Iowa. Unclogging the employment-based green card system might not sound like a major economic priority for Iowans, but in communities like Ames, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the lowest unemployment rate in the country, the shortage of skilled labor is making it harder and harder for local businesses to expand and grow. Time and again at the Ames Chamber of Commerce, we hear from local business leaders who are struggling to hire skilled workers. And sooner or later, businesses that can’t find the people they need will look elsewhere — either by outsourcing and shipping jobs overseas or by building new facilities in other parts of the United States. Scrapping the country caps will help to ensure that the businesses now thriving in central Iowa are able to continue growing without relocating. By making it easier for American businesses to hire and retain the best possible workers, regardless of the country they’re from, this legislation would fuel a new wave of economic growth that will benefit all Americans. According to New American Economy, attracting 100,000 additional immigrants with advanced degrees would create an additional 44,000 jobs for American-born workers. If those new immigrants held advanced degrees in science and technology fields like those taught at ISU, we could expect them to create 262,000 jobs for Americans. Clearly, that’s something worth pursuing — but for too long, our leaders have sought to make it harder for companies to hire skilled workers. The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act would be a step in the right direction and would help to provide employers with the steady, controlled access to skilled immigrant workers that’s needed to keep our local economy firing on all cylinders. The new law would promote smart, business-friendly policies and allow local companies to hire a small number of highly skilled technical graduates, leading to greater prosperity and more jobs for all of us. That’s why business leaders in Ames, and across our great nation, are cheering her leadership, and that of all other politicians who’ve decided to put the American economy ahead of partisan politics. There is always plenty to do in Ames, and this summer is no exception! Ames has many fun and unique events to be excited about, and there is something everyone in the family can look forward to. These events help show our awesome sense of community and why Ames is so special. Let me tell you about some of them.
When I start to fill out my summer calendar, I make sure to mark Saturdays from May to October. I like to start my weekend at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market that takes place on the 300 and 400 blocks of Main Street. This market has something for everyone. When you walk through the market you will see the diverse vendors selling fresh produce and their unique handcrafted items. The tasty aromas from the variety of food vendors will fill the air attracting both Ames residents and visitors to our community. Each week there are two different musicians adding live music to this special atmosphere. The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market is an opportunity for us to directly support our local businesses, artists and showcase all the wonderful things Ames offers. On June 1st, I invite you to kick off summer at Summerfest on the 200th block of Welch Ave in Campustown. Attendees can enjoy the live music and the beer garden. Prior to 6 p.m., there will be activities for every member of your family including a root beer garden, henna tattoos, face painting and a petting zoo. Even your four legged friend is invited because from 5 to 6 p.m., there will be a cutest dog contest! I will be spending many summer nights on Main Street for their multiple events throughout the summer. To start, I will be at Art Walk on June 7 from 5-8 p.m. This is a family-friendly event pairing our local businesses with community artists. There will be a variety of artists including sculptors, musicians, woodworkers, photographers, painters, jewelry makers and more. This is another way to support our local artists and take home something beautiful that is unique to our town. During early July, you will find me in my red, white and blue on Main Street for our Independence Day Celebration. This is one of the biggest events of the summer beginning July 3rd with the stunning City of Ames Fireworks. On July 4th, the day includes a full slate of events including a delicious pancake breakfast, the Friendship Arc 5K, the Bill Riley Talent Competition and the fantastic parade down Main Street. The excitement doesn’t end after the Fourth of July because Foodies and Brew is on July 11th. I’ll be heading to the Ames Municipal Airport to enjoy the live music, local food and brew samplings. On the last Thursday of each month I will be spending my evenings at Reiman Gardens to enjoy some spectacular local entertainment, delicious food carts and beverages. FUEL Fest put on by FUEL Story County is open to everyone. Admission is only $5 for adults and is free for FUEL members and children. FUEL Fest is sure to be a great time and we look forward to seeing you there! These are just a few of the events happening in Ames this summer. To find more information on events check out resources such as www.ameschamber.com, www.thinkames.com and www.amestrib.com. This summer, please join me in supporting our community by attending these unique events. Nobody living in Ames should ever utter the words “I’m bored”, because there are so many things going on. These events are just one of the many reasons Ames is the #SmartChoice to live, work and play. Each May the Ames Economic Development Commission (AEDC) celebrates Economic Development Week, celebrating the power of partnerships and highlighting the importance of a coordinated economic development effort in communities.
A year ago we launched the hashtag #StoryGrows in conjunction with Economic Development Week. We came up with this simple catchphrase as a way to share the story of economic development in our communities not just during Economic Development Week, but throughout the entire year. Over the past year Story County has experienced incredible success and major wins on the economic development front. From breaking ground on Burke Corporation’s expansion in Nevada, to cutting the ribbon for Barilla’s $65 million plant expansion, some truly incredible projects are taking place right here in central Iowa. But it doesn’t stop with our large business and industry. As the lead economic development organization in Story County, the AEDC also works in unison with our communities to help increase access and opportunities for all citizens. For instance, Cambridge and Slater were recently awarded Catalyst Grants from the State of Iowa to revitalize their downtown areas and stimulate economic development. We also continue to have a strong presence in supporting and providing timely assistance to emerging companies engaged in a wide variety of technologies. Several businesses with Ames and Story County ties were recognized by the Technology Association of Iowa for their leadership, growth, and innovation at the statewide Prometheus Awards event. Gross-Wen Technologies, Performance Livestock Analytics, Renewable Energy Group and Vermeer all brought home awards, as did the Ames Seed Capital organization, which is a powerful tool that supports emerging technologies. These are just a few recent examples of the positive impact of a strong economic development effort. Because of economic development, our community is stronger and more vibrant than ever. The investments being made in our community continue to help ensure a well-maintained infrastructure, an abundance of jobs, quality healthcare, top-notch education, and amenities we have come to enjoy such as parks, trails, community art and more. We are truly fortunate to call Ames and Story County home. As we build momentum in 2019, we will continue to use #StoryGrows to share how a wide range of industries and entities are working together to help move Ames and Story County forward. Our public institutions and municipalities continue to help ensure a vibrant community. The expansion of our business and industry provides more job opportunities and further investment in our community. Start-up companies continually raise the bar to provide new ideas into the marketplace. And our small businesses are a constant fixture in our community providing needed goods and services for our citizens. From the smallest of start-ups to the largest multi-national corporations, the AEDC is involved with business in every level within Ames and Story County. What makes this is all work is the powerful public-private partnership between local governments and the Ames/Story County business community which underwrites the efforts of the AEDC. This is how #StoryGrows. |
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