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[email protected] ˖ www.keokukchamber.com 1
In This Issue
Lee County Leadership Update
Member Accomplishments
SET Update
Vote!
Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce 2015 First Quarter
In Every Issue
Director’s Letter
Community Calendar
New Members
ISU News
2 Affiliates Office ˖ 429 Main Street ˖ Keokuk, Iowa 52632 ˖ 319-524-5055
The Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers Confluence Region; Embark on Regional Economic Development Process
The Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers Confluence Region of Lee County, Iowa, Clark County, Missouri and Hancock County, IL has been awarded a USDA Strengthening Economies Together (SET) Grant in order to develop a regional eco-nomic development plan. The SET process was kicked off with a public forum of 50 participants.
Participants represented a variety of tri-state organizations and businesses. This included organizations and businesses interested in economic development, work force, education, small business growth, industry and entrepreneurship to name a few. Participants discussed challenges and opportunities within the region. Topics included; income, poverty, education, unemployment, workforce and population demographics.
“As citizens of a tri-state region we cross state borders with little thought when it comes to employment, shopping and entertainment,” said Shelley Oltmans, Community Development Special with Iowa State University Extension and Out-reach and Executive Director of the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce. “But when it comes to collaboration between businesses, economic development organizations and governments it is perceived to be more difficult.”
Oltmans said the SET process will help bring these groups together and build on some very strong relationships between organizations in the region. “The SET planning process will assist us in developing regional goals and strategies that will strengthen our global competitiveness, increase the quality of life for our residents across the region and help us build upon our long industrial history.”
“USDA Rural Development’s SET program helps establish a state resource team that will bring the talents and resources of key state and federal agencies, extension programs, and other organizations together to provide coaching and tech-nical assistance to each of the regional teams,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Rural communities that work through regional and strategic part-nerships can complement and draw upon the resources of another to create jobs and strengthen economies.”
The SET Initiative is a 6 month collaborative initiative that provides hard economic data on the participating communi-ties and a structured process to discuss regional assets and challenges. Ultimately the grant will culminate in a High Quality Plan approved by USDA Rural Development. The initial meeting will be followed by monthly focused discus-sions on specific topics such as industry clusters, agriculture, environment, infrastructure and other targeted issues.
Moving Forward
[email protected] ˖ www.keokukchamber.com 3
Calendar of Events
City Council - First and Third Thursday of the Month
Kiwanis - Every Monday @ Noon
Lions Club - Every Tuesday @ Noon
Rotary - Every Thursday @ Noon
School Board - Every Third Monday @ 7pm
Lee County Board of Supervisors - Every Tuesday @ 9 am
Keokuk Community
Meetings
SAVE THE DATE Tri-State Nonprofit
Management Academy Keokuk, Iowa
April 2016 – March 2017
Second Tuesday of the Month • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Nonprofit Management Academy was established in 1999 by Iowa State University in partnership with the United Way Man-agement Assistance Program to enhance the management skills
of those serving nonprofit human services groups, hospitals, government agencies, churches, private schools, arts organiza-
tions, environmental groups, and others in the nonprofit sector.
For more information please contact:
Shelley Oltmans • 319-524-5055 • [email protected]
Future Academies
2017 Illinois • 2018 Missouri
4 Affiliates Office ˖ 429 Main Street ˖ Keokuk, Iowa 52632 ˖ 319-524-5055
Calendar of Events
Online
Community
Calendar
SEE WHAT’S COMING UP!
If you would like something posted to the online community calendar,
contact Jaclyn at [email protected]
January 6, 2016
8:00 am
KHS Gym Friday, December 4, 2015 4:30-9:00 pm
At participated Main Street Retailers
presented by
Main Street Keokuk, Inc.
[email protected] ˖ www.keokukchamber.com 5
ISU News
Keokuk City Elections
November 3, 2015
Food Safety Certification Scheduled for Fall Local county offices of ISU Extension and Outreach sponsor food safety certification courses for food service managers and employees. Upcoming sessions at Great Prairie AEA in Burlington are Thursday, October 15 and Wednesday, December 16, 2015. Each class runs from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm with the exam to follow.
According to Patricia Steiner, Nutrition & Wellness Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, the course content is based on the Na-tional Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's ServSafe® certification program and the Iowa Food Code. Participants will receive a copy of the ServSafe® Managers training manual and have the option of testing for certification.
For more details about the food safety sessions or to register, contact the Des Moines County Extension & Outreach office at 319-394-9433 or 800-914-1914 or by email to [email protected] or contact your local county ISU Extension and Outreach office.
Training to be Held for New 4-H Leaders
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development Staff announce statewide trainings for all new 4-H Club Lead-ers. This training is targeted to those who are beginning as volunteers or those with three years or less experience. The training is open to all volunteers and current club leaders are encouraged to attend if they have not attended before.
Advantages of this training program include: learning about the role of a caring adult, dynamic training to boost positive youth devel-opment knowledge and skills in order to support a vibrant 4-H club or Clover Kids group, and an opportunity to meet and network with other volunteers. The interactive training includes an agenda loaded with knowledge, skills, and tools needed to enhance a vol-unteer’s work with 4-H youth. Volunteers will receive a binder of resources to prepare them for working with their club or group.
Training will be held two times in southeast Iowa on Saturday, November 7th at Johnson County Extension Office and Saturday, De-cember 12th at the Lee County Extension Office. The training will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are numerous trainings throughout the state; volunteers are able to attend any of the locations. To register, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/volunteertraining. Registration is due one week before the trainings. The training will include resources, lunch and snacks. There is no fee to the volunteer to attend.
For more information on how to volunteer with 4-H in your county please contact your county’s Extension office. For more infor-mation on New Leader’s Training in Southeast Iowa, please contact Youth Program Specialist, Kati Peiffer, 319/385-8126 or [email protected].
6 Affiliates Office ˖ 429 Main Street ˖ Keokuk, Iowa 52632 ˖ 319-524-5055
Chamber News
Gemini Travel Celebrates 25 Years
For 25 years, Chuck and Pat Mayfield have provid-
ed the area with their travel expertise. What start-
ed out as a dream, has now turned into a very suc-
cessful agency. Family owned and operated, Gemini
Travel has been one of Keokuk’s most successful
small businesses.
Along with their expert staff of agents, Gemini
Travel has provided excellent service with great
deals. Gemini Travel provides everything from
cruises, vacation packages, and transportation ser-
vices to custom packages. Whether staying in the
states or traveling abroad, Gemini Travel has
strived to provide the knowledge and deals to
make travelers come back time and time again.
7th Annual Tri-state Recycling Event
Keokuk’s 7th annual community-wide e-waste/
recycling event on September 29, 2015 had a strong
turnout with 445 total Tri-State participants (346
from Keokuk). North Cedar South received paper to
be shredded as well as paper, cardboard, books, mag-
azines, and newsprint for recycling. Great River Re-
gional Waste Authority had 63 Lee county customers
with hazardous material. Midwest Recycling Center
received 320 CRT TVs and 122 CRT computer moni-
tors, along with over a ton of appliances and electron-
ics for recycling. The Lions Club collected 24 eye-
glasses, and the Iowa State Penitentiary received
more than 70 bikes. The event was co-sponsored by
Roquette America, the City of Keokuk, and the Cham-
ber of Commerce.
Looking for volunteer opportunities? Want to help make a
difference in your community?
Join one of our many committees and help
us make the difference.
[email protected] ˖ www.keokukchamber.com 7
Chamber News
Royal
Ad
Van Meter Inc. Name a Top Iowa Workplace
Van Meter Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of Iowa’s 2015 Top 150 Workplaces. Top Workplaces are determined
based solely on employee feedback. Van Meter Inc. ranked fourth among Iowa’s top midsized companies. This is the fourth consecutive year
on the Top Workplaces list for Van Meter.
The employee feedback survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee
engagement. WorkplaceDynamics conducts regional Top Workplaces programs with major publishing partners across the United States. In
Iowa, WorkplaceDynamics partners with The Des Moines Register.
What makes Van Meter a winning workplace? According to Van Meter Chief Operating Officer, Lura McBride, it’s the people. "When you hire
the right people and create a culture where they can be engaged and understand how they make a difference, everything else takes care of
itself,” states McBride. “Delivering a positive employee-owner experience is the best way to ensure we deliver an exceptional customer expe-
rience.”
In 2015, one-hundred percent of Van Meter’s employee-owners participated in the company’s engagement survey via WorkplaceDynamics.
The company reported an engagement score of 80 percent, which is well above the national average of about 30 percent. “We are enthusias-
tic about our work and our passion is contagious,” adds McBride. “Every employee-owner is focused on creating lasting value for the people
we serve – our customers, our suppliers, our community partners and one another.”
According to McBride, Van Meter focuses on the “total” wellbeing of its people. This encompasses traditional things like heath, wellness and
safety, but also includes financial stability, personal growth and development, flexible scheduling to allow for better integration of work and
home life, and a very progressive parental leave program. The company recently introduced a new vacation policy called TOTALTM (Time Off
To Appreciate Life). It is a personal accountability plan where employees take ownership of their time away from work.
The Des Moines Register published the complete list of 2015 Top Workplaces in a special section on Sunday, Sept. 13. For more information,
visit http://data.desmoinesregister.com/top-workplaces/?year=2015
Recruiting new talent for your business?
We provide relocation/recruitment packages.
8 Affiliates Office ˖ 429 Main Street ˖ Keokuk, Iowa 52632 ˖ 319-524-5055
Chamber News
2016 CAB Schedule Open
The 2016 schedule for Chamber After Business is now open. These will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. We would like to invite any Chamber Mem-ber to contact us and schedule to sponsor or host a CAB today.
SPONSOR: Sponsor Fee $75
Provides hors d’oeuvres for the event. Contributes door prizes for attendees. Representative draws the door prizes during program. Marketing opportunity Plans event (e.g. theme, games, prizes) HOST:
The location of Chamber After Business. Marketing opportunity Provides alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages. What the Chamber does: Create advertisement and advertise CAB Sell door prize tickets and promote prizes Introduce and thank both Host and Sponsor Feature Host and Sponsor in press release of event
Henniges Celebrates 100 Years
It all began on Aug. 24, 1915, when Emil G. Lindstrand,
a Keokuk contractor, was awarded the contract to
build the new Standard Four Tire Company that would
produce tires for the Ford Model T, according to a his-
tory provided by Henniges Automotive.
The Keokuk plant has had many owners, names and
products over the last 100 years, the current owner
Littlejohn & Co. acquired Henniges from WynnChurch
Capital Ltd. in 2010. The plant supplies weather-strips
to Detroit automakers. Ford comprises 31 percent of
the plant’s business, General Motors makes up 31 per-
cent, Chrysler has 10 percent, and others, 28 percent.
The plant employs more than 600 people from the Tri-
State Area.
Website: http://www.hennigesautomotive.com/
Starting a new business? Expanding? Need a succession plan?
Come speak with Janine Clover at the Chamber office. Second Monday each month, 12:00-4:00 pm
[email protected] ˖ www.keokukchamber.com 9
Chamber News
Keokuk Kash
Rewarding employees? Need a gift idea?
Come get Keokuk Kash! Any denomination!
Accepted at over 170 local businesses!
A big thank you to all of our 2015 Golf Outing sponsors! Hole and Team Sponsors
Ryan M. Ruffcorn Insurance Liberty Utilities Keokuk Medical Center Taske Force
Access Door Conn Communications KSB Bank & Insurance SEIRPC
Pilot Grove Savings Bank Fitch Health Care Shoemaker & Haaland Menke & Company
HyVee Peevler Real Estate Seither & Cherry Krichel Animal Hospital
Team Sponsors
Golden Eagle Distributing i-Connect You Family Discount Shoes Climax-Molybdenum
Hole Sponsors
Korte Tax & Accounting Meyers Driveway & Septic SCC Sutlive Real Estate
Keokuk Contractors Roquette America, Inc. Keokuk Veterinary Hospital City of Keokuk
Schleier & Associates Keokuk Health Systems
Auction Sponsors
Roquette America, Inc. HyVee Shelley Oltmans B&H Marine
Johnson Schmidt Youngren Shoes Kerry Klepfer Ace Hardware
Alliant Energy Golden Eagles Distributing Pilot Grove Savings Bank Hoerner YMCA
Shoemaker Haaland Spirit Hollow Golf Course Southside Boat Club Keokuk Yacht Club
Krichel’s FCB Schleier & Associates Walmart
The Pzazz SCC Doug Ewing Darkside Tint & Graphics
TSS Safety, Inc. TO Haas The Eagle’s Nest The Lost Canvas
Table Sponsors
Advance Home Health Care River Hills Village Taske Force Peevler Real Estate
Lexington Square Roquette America Inc.
Gift bag
Pilot Grove Savings Bank First Community Bank Keokuk Health Systems Conn Communications
Korte Tax & Accounting SCC Lake Cooper Golf & Dining KACC
Winner’s Gift Certificates
Angelini’s Ristoraunte Italiano The Cellar Hawkeye Restaurant Keokuk Spirits
McDonald’s Beef, Bread, & Brew Lucky’s Pub & Grub
10 Affiliates Office ˖ 429 Main Street ˖ Keokuk, Iowa 52632 ˖ 319-524-
Chamber News
LEE COUNTY LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2016
The Lee County Leadership Program has accepted eight leadership trainees to the Class of 2016. These eight participants began their training on Sep-tember 15. Members are Nicole Baker, Transit Director for Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission; Emily Benjamin, County Youth Coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach of Lee County; Diane Fader, Banking Center Manager for First Community Bank; Cindy Greer, Primrose Path Manager for The Kensington; Corby Hawkins, Sales and Marketing Manager for Seither & Cherry Co; Jaclyn Lansing, Office Manager for the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce; Andrea Rogers, Assistant General Manager for Keokuk Munici-pal Waterworks; and Richard Tebbs, Natural Resource Manager for the Lee County Conservation Board.
Deb Tootle, Iowa State University Community Leadership Specialist leads the morning sessions in which the leadership trainees learn the importance of community leadership development, take a deep look into the conditions of the community using data and learn tools and skills to practice communi-ty leadership. Tootle is utilizing new curriculum from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It is a modular and interactive community leader-ship program based on cutting-edge research on community leadership (as opposed to individual, business or organizational leadership). Lee County is the first county in Iowa to utilize this specific approach to leadership devel-opment by piloting the program.
The afternoons are filled with local speakers and tours organized by ISU extension and outreach Lee County, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce. This portion of the program is part of a countywide networking process in which leadership trainees will meet diverse community leaders and partners from throughout the county. In the process, people from diverse backgrounds and experiences will work together to learn about community building in a wide array of social, economic and cultural conditions.
“We are holding the program in communities throughout Lee County so participants can create a sense of broad-er community outside of their own town,” Shelley Oltmans, executive director of the Keokuk Area Chamber of Com-merce and ISU Extension and Outreach CED specialist said. “It is important in rural communities to work with re-gional partners to build capacity.”
Trainees will utilize their leadership skills and tools to work with two community organizations, PORT (Promoting Outdoor Recreational Trails) and Live Healthy Lee County. Both organizations are looking for assistance to create marketing plans. “I believe we felt that the chosen projects would give the leadership trainees the oppor-tunity to collaborate even though they will be working on 2 separate programs” stated Laura Francisco, Fort Madi-son Area Chamber of Commerce and steering committee member. Over the next 6 months leadership trainees will work under the guidance of mentors from the submitting organizations. The final projects will be presented during the graduation ceremony to be held in early April 2016.
In addition to building skills and implementing community projects, the class of 2016 will attend the Iowa Legis-lature’s Great River Region Days in Des Moines to network with government officials and lobby on behalf of South-east Iowa.
The Lee County Leadership Program is a partnership between the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It is supported by a steering committee with representatives from the Lee County Health Department, Fort Madison Partners, Lee County Chari-table Fund, Keokuk Area Community Foundation, and Southeastern Community College. Session Two was spon-sored by Keokuk Area Hospital and the program is also supported financially by Alliant Energy.
[email protected] ˖ www.keokukchamber.com
Pride & Ribbon Cuttings
McWilliams
1019 Seymour
DeMoss
1116 High Street
Chief Motel
2701 Main Street
Shear Royalty
715 Main Street
Barcliff
2511 Middle Road
KPLAY
Bentley’s Park
Harlow
908 S. 16th Street
Arrowhead Bowl Keokuk Prompt Care
12 Affiliates Office ˖ 429 Main Street ˖ Keokuk, Iowa 52632 ˖ 319-524-
Contact Us
Give us a call for more information.
Keokuk Area Chamber of
Commerce
429 Main Street
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-5055
Visit us on the web at
www.keokukchamber.com
Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce
429 Main Street
Keokuk, IA 52632