Month: March 2022

Young professionals group now known as Connect Marshalltown

The Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce a new name and logo for the area’s young professionals group, now known as Connect Marshalltown. The new name of Connect Marshalltown is designed to be all encompassing and inclusive to the community. The goal of the group is to connect and grow ideas about Marshalltown in a relaxed social setting.
“The idea of Connect Marshalltown came out of wanting more inclusion from the community than the young professionals name provided,” said Kyle Hall, Workforce Development Coordinator with the Chamber. “By changing the name to Connect Marshalltown, it is inviting more of the community to come together, connect and share ideas and thoughts on how to continue to better our community.”
“Young professional groups have been around for decades, locally we wanted to take a different approach to be more inclusive and help a broader group of the community connect,” said John Hall, President & CEO of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce. “Kyle’s vision to take this group to the next level is exactly how this idea of Connect Marshalltown was born, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this group can become.”
Group meets monthly
The group meets monthly for social gatherings at local bars, restaurants and other meeting places on the first Wednesday of each month. The next gathering is scheduled for April 6 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at El Cantarito Bar and Grill at 903 W. Lincoln Way. The event is open to anyone looking to connect.
For more information on Connect Marshalltown or future events with the group, contact Kyle Hall at khall@marshalltown.org or 641-753-6645.

 

Erin McGregor receives 2022 Woman in Business Award

 

Erin McGregor of McGregors Furniture and Mattress is the recipient of the 2022 Woman in Business Award from the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce. Pictured with Erin is award presenter Todd Steinkamp of Trending Media, left, and Chamber President and CEO John Hall.

 

Erin McGregor, president of McGregors Furniture and Mattress, was presented the 2022 Woman in Business Award during the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Luncheon held at Iowa Valley Continuing Education on March 25.
Presenting McGregor with the award was good friend and fellow Chamber Board member Todd Steinkamp of Trending Media. Steinkamp credited McGregor for her resilience after the 2018 tornado and 2020 derecho and her support as a “pillar of our community.”
Steinkamp said his respect level for McGregor is high especially, “when I think about everything this woman has been through and overcame and continues to do for her business and for Marshalltown.”
Keynote speaker during the fourth annual Women in Business luncheon was State Representative Shannon Latham, co-owner of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.
Latham spoke about her passion for presenting ideas to help grow their family business and also touched on important work being done this session in the Legislature.

Laborshed study to be conducted for Marshalltown

The Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Marshalltown area. This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Marshalltown’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a Laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns.
The purpose of this Laborshed study is to measure the availability and characteristics of Marshalltown area workers. Laborshed studies are useful tools for economic development teams and existing or prospective employers to understand the local labor market, make informed expansion and site selection decisions, and maintain/recruit a high quality workforce.
For the success of this study, we are sending letters to randomly selected households asking residents to take a confidential online survey. Survey questions will cover topics such as: employment status, current and desired wages, current and desired benefits, education level, and type of occupation, among other things. However, Iowa Workforce Development will not be asking survey takers identifiable information such as: name, social security number, or date of birth. Participation in this workforce study is greatly appreciated regardless of employment status whether you are currently employed, unemployed, a homemaker, retired, etc. Your input is highly valued.
Following the conclusion of the online surveying efforts, IWD will conduct telephone surveying in the area through a third-party vendor. The survey call originates out of Missouri and the incoming number will have the 573 area code. The same survey questions asked in the online survey will be asked of those who participate in the survey on the phone and again, no identifying information will be collected. All the survey answers collected will be combined and reported together. Individual answers are completely confidential.
Every year Iowa Workforce Development conducts Laborshed studies across the State. The results of each analysis are made publicly available online at www.iowalmi.gov/laborshed. If you have any questions about the Laborshed project, please contact Katie Lippold of Iowa Workforce Development at 515-281-3035 or John Hall with the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce 641-753-6645.
Thank you for your support and participation.

Shannon Latham to present at the Women in Business Luncheon on March 25

Join the Chamber and Presenting sponsor Emerson for the 4th Annual Women in Business Luncheon. This year’s luncheon will take place on Friday, March 25, 2022 at the newly renovated Iowa Valley Continuing Education, Dejardin Hall starting at 11:30 a.m. The event will include lunch and a keynote presentation from Representative Shannon Latham.

Representative Latham is a businesswoman, mother, and community leader.  Latham is an advocate for small business and Main Street America.
Latham is vice president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds and is primarily
responsible for its marketing efforts. She has a passion for writing,
branding and communicating through social media. Prior to joining
the family business full-time in January 2007, Shannon operated
her own communications/public relations business for three years.
She also worked for six years as an account executive and public relations specialist for The Meyocks Group. Her most notable projects were the groundbreaking and grand opening of Jorden Creek Town Center in West Des Moines.
Other previous work experience includes serving as an agricultural program coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship where she did public relations for the Beginning Farmer Loan Program and coordinated the Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute (IAYI). She also served as director of legislative affairs for the Agribusiness Association of Iowa and coordinated its grassroots lobbying efforts. Shannon earned an MBA from the University of Iowa, as well as a bachelor’s degree with a double-major in Ag Journalism and Public Service & Administration in Agriculture from Iowa State University.
Shannon and her husband live with their two children in Sheffield, Iowa, where she has served as a Girl Scout leader for 11 years and also operates Enchanted Acres Pumpkin Patch. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading and traveling.

Registration required. To register, visit www.marshalltown.org/womeninbusiness. Cost is $30 per person or $180 for 6 registrations.

Presenting Sponsor:
Emerson
Premier Sponsor:
MARSHALLTOWN
Gold Sponsors:
Farmers Savings Bank
Lennox Industries
Trending Media