Business

Tuesday, March 22 from 4-7pm at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center This event offers an excellent opportunity for businesses to enhance their reputation among the Vinton-area residents. This event also offers the opportunity for employers to share information and to discuss career opportunities within the organization. We encourage businesses to come to promote all opportunities: Internships, Seasonal, Part-time and Full-time.

As part of his ongoing commitment to providing valued service to Farm Bureau Financial Services customers, Farm Bureau agent Randy Stein, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF has recently been recognized as a Qualifying and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Stein has met the top producing level of requirements for 11 years. The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) was founded in 1927.

The Shopko Countdown is officialy under way; a sign in the building that once housed the Vinton Alco store announed today that the store with a new name and Shopko's green color theme will open in 30 days. Other signs that the business will soon open include new cart bays, with Shopko's name on them, in the parking lot. The Iowa Workforce Development web site lists job openings for the new store, including listings for Salesfloor Teamate, Customer Service Teammate, Merchandise Supervisor, Receiving Specialist, Apparel Salesfloor Supervisor and Cashier.

The Vinton City Council will vote tonight on approving a Class C liquor license with Sunday sales for Shopko, as the opening of the store in the former Alco building nears. There is still no official opening date set, but the liquor license request filed with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division lists March 13 as the effective date.  Meanwhile, the Iowa Workforce Development web site lists job openings for the new store, including listings for Salesfloor Teamate, Customer Service Teammate, Merchandise Supervisor, Receiving Specialist, Apparel Salesfloor Supervisor and Cashier.

When starting or growing your business, one thing is for sure: capital is a necessity to make your dreams come true.  The Dream Big, Grow Here program is sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Innovation and Growth in an effort to help emerging entrepreneurs in Eastern Iowa.  Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to be awarded a $5000 grant, but a great deal of work needs to happen secure that funding.

Benton Development Group is constantly looking for new ways to serve as a resource to our local businesses and communities.  With the recent release of the Benton County Laborshed Analysis and the ever tightening labor pool, we have decided to make a change to our website. The results of the study show that over 70% of our Laborshed area is turning to the internet to search for job openings.

Work continues on the new John's Qwik Stop building and John Ketchen is finalizing negotiations with a couple of franchises that will operate a small food service operation in the new gas station when it opens. Ketchen said the current plan is to remain open without interruptions, using the current building until the new one is ready. Although, he adds that the business may not be able to offer fuel for a short time during the transition.

There’s a new aroma wafting from the popcorn room at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, and an old association helping the entrepreneurs continue their success. The members of the entrepreneurship class who have been continuing the Vinton Popcorn Project will soon start selling caramel-flavored popcorn. Advisor Aric Chavala and the students have been working on the project for several weeks, and hope to begin selling it in local stores and on-line in early February.

Applications are now available for the 7th Annual Boom-Fest celebration held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Boomtown fireworks show. Boom-Fest is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10am to 3pm. We are once again looking for arts & crafts, farmers market, antique, repurposed treasures and food vendors to set up on 4th Street.

Benton Development Group, Vinton Unlimited and Belle Plaine Community Development have partnered with the Small Business Development Center to bring a series of engaging educational opportunities to Benton County for our small business community.   The series will be made up of 9 sessions that focus on getting, keeping and growing customer bases.