Business

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.

While there is no official update from the Shopko company on the planned opening of the store in Vinton, work is under way at the former Alco building. Painters have been working inside, applying a layer of green to the interior walls. In addition, the Iowa Workforce Development job web site has an opening for Customer Service Teammates. Click HERE to see that job listing.

The Benton County Community Foundation has introduced a new logo. The Benton County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), and the new look is part of CFNEIA’s release of its new brand and redesigned website.  “As we looked at updating our logo and brand, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa wanted to make sure the new look helped our affiliate community foundations raise awareness in their local communities,” said Jake Byers, CFNEIA Director of Marketing and Communications.

Benton Development Group will hold their monthly Board of Directors meeting on January 27th at 7:00pm at the Van Horne Community Center and you are encouraged to attend. During this gathering, members will hold an election of officers for President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Each officer is elected for one calendar year. Those in attendance will also be setting action priorities for 2016.

The ‘Holiday Lights’ punch card promotion has officially wrapped up! During our promotion, almost 1,300 completed cards were turned in! That’s a lot of folks shopping local if you ask me! We look forward to bringing you this promotion again for the 2016 holiday season but in the meantime please toss any cards you may have left over.