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A
joint publication of the Johnston Chamber of Commerce and
the Johnston Economic Development Corporation
PO Box 61 - 5408 NW 88th St. - Suite
120
Johnston, IA 50131
515.276.9064 - FAX
515.309.0144
May, 2008
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Chamber
Message |
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As we all know Johnston has been
one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa over the last
several years. As a result of this growth the Johnston
Community Schools have also grown tremendously. From the school
years 1999-2000 to 2006-2007, the number of students being
served by our schools has grown by 48.5%. During the same
period Summit Middle School, Horizon Elementary, and Timber
Ridge Elementary have been built. Now more than 5,500 students
attend school in one of our district’s eight buildings.
When asking new residents and
businesses why they chose Johnston, there is one common answer.
The Schools! The Chamber of Commerce consistently hears this
message from its member businesses, the Johnston Economic
Development Corp. (JEDCO), and the administrators of the City of
Johnston.
The ability of our schools to
successfully deal with the consistent year-over-year growth rate
has been truly amazing. Those of us in the business community
could certainly learn from the manner in which the process has
been managed. All of those who have been involved including the
school boards, administrators, teachers, and staff should look
back and be very proud of their accomplishments.
Despite the
growth the quality of education has not been sacrificed. The
Johnston schools continue to achieve well above the State of
Iowa averages for proficiency and graduation
rates.
Johnston’s average scores on college entrance examinations have
consistently been ranked amongst the highest in the Des Moines
metropolitan area.
The business community in
Johnston owes much of its success and growth to the Johnston
Community Schools and their employees. For this reason the
Chamber annually holds an Educator Appreciation Reception. This
year’s event was held May 7th at the Holiday Inn on
Merle Hay Road with all of the school’s employees invited. The
Chamber’s member businesses provide the resources needed for
refreshments and door prizes for the more than 400 persons in
attendance. During the gathering the Johnston schools also
honored their three retirees.
I would
like to thank the members of the committee that worked hard to
make this year’s event successful: Mary Miller - Polk County
Bank (Chair), Glen Waterhouse - State Farm Insurance, Kasi
Koehler - Bilbrey Insurance Services, Inc., Sue Harney -Polk
County Bank and Lazer Expressions Unlimited, Heather Wilcox -
Chamber Administrator, Tim Hanstad - Edward Jones, Joann Manning
- Iowa Realty, Joni Tonnemacher -
McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith,
P.C., Madilyn Allender - Johnston
Community Greetings, Karla Rankin - Rankin Communications
Systems, Inc., Rob Woollums - Gegner Company, Meika Merrill -
Bank Iowa, Jay Pender - Edward Jones, and Liz Sandstoe -
Middendorf Insurance.
Making available a gathering for
educators to come together in a non-school atmosphere is a small
way the Chamber says Thank You each year for a job well done.
Their efforts are a major reason Johnston is what it is today.
Todd Cate
President, Johnston Chamber of Commerce
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JEDCO News |
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Groundbreaking
Events
The spring of 2008 has provided a lot of excitement for the
Johnston community. Two of our premiere corporate leaders
moved forward with the construction of new office facilities.
Earth moving started in April for a new office facility for
Pioneer in collaboration with the Ryan Companies. The
facility will be located west of the building best known as the
home of the Iowa Bankers Association on NW 62nd Ave. Just
a few weeks later John Deere Credit, located on the north side
of NW 62nd Ave. in the same vicinity, broke ground on their new
office expansion. Mayor Paula Dierenfeld joined company
officials and many others involved with both projects in the
traditional groundbreaking ceremonies. Johnston is proud
and fortunate to have both of these companies continue to grow
and invest in the community. Thank you!
Pioneer
Groundbreaking - April, 2008
John Deere Credit Groundbreaking -
May, 2008
Road
Improvement Funding Proposal Adopted
The Johnston City Council approved a
resolution to establish a new policy to guide future
funding of road improvements associated with development
projects. The proposed policy would reduce the per lineal
foot cost of a road improvement charged to a developer from $206.50
to $131.57. It would also allow for the use of a petition
and waiver as a way for a developer to satisfy the requirement
of developer participation in the reconstruction of an adjacent
collector/arterial roadway. You can download the
staff report for more a more detailed description of the
proposed policy.
This is an important step
forward, and we appreciate the efforts of the Council as they
have deliberated on this issue. Thank you!
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Johnston Chamber Luncheon
Date:
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Location: Stoney Creek Inn
Time: 11:45am
Topic:
Blank Park zoo
Speaker: Terry Rich
Cost:
$15.00 with an RSVP, $20.00 at the door. RSVP to the
Chamber office at 276-9064
by Tuesday, May 20 , 2008. You may also RSVP by
sending an email to
heather@growjohnston.com
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Upcoming Community Events
Looking
ahead, a few events of interest to Chamber and JEDCO members
have been announced. These include:
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Event |
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May 15, 2008 |
Breakfast
Before Business- Johnston Historical Society |
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May 22, 2008 |
Chamber
Luncheon |
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June 10, 2008 |
Breakfast
Before Business- Johnston Library |
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June 18, 2008 |
Golden Circle
Games |
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June 19-22, 2008 |
Johnston
Green Days |
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June 26, 2008 |
Chamber
Luncheon |
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July 22, 2008 |
Lunch & Learn |
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July 31, 2008 |
Chamber Night
at Principal Park |
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Chamber Leadership Seminars
We will have our first
Leadership Seminar in the Fall of 2008.
If there is anyone in your business that would like to
participate in
this program please click
here
to download a registration form
The purpose of the Johnston Leadership Seminars will be to prepare
participants to engage in activities that will foster a strong
Johnston Community.
Participation in the Johnston Leadership Seminars will enable
class members
to be informed about the issues affecting the Johnston
community, be familiar
with key community organizations, institutions and their
leaders, be equipped to constructively participate as community
volunteers and leaders- dedicated to creating
a high quality of life fostering community of learners and
enabling a vibrant economy. Participants will also gain
skills and knowledge that can be applied right back in their
businesses and professions making participation a great
investment for them and their sponsors.
5k run/walk Honoring Karen
Coaldrake
Date:
Friday, June 20, 2008
Time: 7:00pm (check in at 6:00pm)
Location: Pioneer Parking Lot
7000 NW 62nd St.
Johnston, IA 50131
Cost: $20.00 entry fee (non-refundable)
Please click
here
for more information and to register!!
Breakfast Before
Business-The
Johnston Historical Society
Date:
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time: 7:30am
Location: The Johnston Historical Society
6161 Northglenn
Johnston, IA 50131
Please
RSVP by Wednesday, May 14, 2008 to the Chamber at 276-9064 or
email
heather@growjohnston.com
Breakfast will be provided by the Johnston Historical Society.
Breakfast Before
Business-The
Johnston Library
Date:
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Time: 7:30am
Location: Johnston Public Library
6700 Merle Hay Road
Johnston, IA 50131
Please RSVP by Friday, June 6, 2008 to the Chamber at 276-9064
or email
heather@growjohnston.com
Breakfast will be provided by the Johnston Library!
Come and join us for some great networking!!!
Business of the Month
Openings!
There are
still openings to be a Business of the Month
at one of our 2008 Chamber monthly luncheons.
Business of the Month-
For this Sponsorship category you need to bring a door prize
valued at $50.00 to be raffled off to attendees. This is an
opportunity to showcase your business to other Chamber Members.
You give a 5-10 minute presentation about your business and you
can also bring handouts and business cards for attendees. We
will have an article in our monthly newsletter and have a link
on our website for the Sponsor of the Month with information
about your business.
If you are
interested in signing up please call the Chamber at 276-9064
or email
heather@growjohnston.com
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Join us for
the 2008 Green Days Parade
Theme: "Home Grown Fun!!"
This is an invitation to all Johnston
Chamber members, businesses and
organizations to join us for the
Johnston Chamber of Commerce Green Days
Parade. The theme for this year is “Home
Grown Fun!!” The parade is a great way
to promote your business or organization
while having fun, and best of all it’s
FREE!
The parade will be held on Saturday June
21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. The parade
begins behind Pioneer Hi-Bred
International and runs south and east
along Pioneer Parkway turning north on
Greendale Road.
Please click
here
for the registration form . Parade entries are due by
Friday, May 30, 2008. Entries may be faxed to 278-6644 or
submitted to :
Johnston
Green Days Parade
c/o Polk County Bank
PO Box 200
Johnston, IA
50131
Attn: Sue
Harney
For more information on Johnston Green
Days please visit the Green Days website
at
www.johnstongreendays.org
Thank you Educator Appreciation Sponsors!!
Platinum Sponsors
Johnston Chamber of Commerce
Pioneer Hi-Bred International
R. Jones BodyPros
Sport Clips
Wiley Financial Services
Silver Sponsors
Bilbrey Insurance Services, Inc.
Electronic Sound
Frevert, Ramsey & Kobes
John Deere Credit
Kaldenbergs PBS Landscaping
Lee & Ruisch Family Medicine Physicians
McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith, P.C.
Rankin Communication Systems, Inc.
Cash and Prize Sponsors
Adventure Lighting, Inc.
Adventureland Park
Agricredit Acceptance LLC
Allender Butzke Engineers, Inc.
American TV & Appliances
Bank Iowa
Bishop Drumm Retirement Ctr.
Boesen's Florist
Bullseye News
Charter Bank
Johnston Community Greetings
Copy & Parcel Depot
Created In Johnston
Curriculum Management Systems, Inc.
Dahl's Foods
Dance Vision
Denny Elwell Company
Des Moines Civic Center
Edward Jones/ Jay Pender
Edward Jones/Tim Hanstad Encore Pizza Co.
Entourage Salon
Fashion Nails
First Bank
Frame Works
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites DSM Northwest
Hummel's Nissan
Hy-Vee Food Store
Iowa Realty/JoAnn Manning Iowa
Cubs
Johnston Foot & Ankle Clinic
Johnston Lions Club
Johnston Rotary Club
K & R Consulting Group
Kahler & Co. Specialties
Kiwanis Club
Lazer Expressions Unlimited
Legends American Grill
Middendorf Insurance Associates, Inc.
Midwest Oral & Facial Surgery
NewPath Sleep Solutions
Office Installation Services, Inc.
Okoboji Grill of Johnston, Inc.
Panera Bread
Perfection Auto Spa
Piney Ridge Greenhouse, Inc.
Plaza Mexico
Polk County Bank
Portraits by Deena & Co.
Progress Industries
Scholastic Book Fair
Soleil a Tanning Spa
Starbucks
State Farm Ins./Glenn Waterhouse
Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center
Sun Pharmacy
Texas Roadhouse
The Cab Lounge
The Sage Tree Salon and Day Spa
The UPS Store-Johnston
Trim and Tone Spa for Women
Trostel's Greenbriar
Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.
Vision Park Family Eye Care
William and Nancy Knapp
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