CDC Members and Friends,



A fresh slate of events just went live on the CDC Community Events Calendar! Click the button below to see all the fun upcoming activities as well as events where you can network and grow your business.

Legislative Coffee

Join us on Saturday, February 10th, for a Legislative Coffee event. This is your chance to connect directly with our legislators, express your concerns, and gain insights into the issues that matter most to our community.

The event will kick off at 10:00 AM with brief introductions and opening comments from the legislators. We encourage everyone to bring forth one question or comment to initiate the conversation. This is a valuable opportunity to engage in a meaningful exchange with our elected representatives. The event will end at approximately 11:00 AM, ensuring a timely closure.

Stay tuned for updates on which legislators will be joining us for this important conversation. Your presence and participation can make a difference, so mark your calendars and be a part of shaping our community's future.

WIBIO Galentines Day

The Crawford County Women in Business invites all women to join them at their 2nd Annual Galentines Day Event on Thursday, February 1st at the Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County. The event will start at 5 PM as a social hour and at 5:30 PM the meeting will begin.

All women committed to making Crawford County an exceptional place to live, work, and play are cordially invited. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a friend and discover more about WIBIO. Attendees will have a chance to win prizes, network, and indulge in delightful hors d'oeuvres and refreshing drinks. The event serves as both an appreciation gathering for existing members and an open invitation for new members to join WIBIO.

The Crawford County Women in Business Impact Organization (WIBIO) aims to bring together women from diverse professional backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to uplift Crawford County. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to make a positive impact on our community, foster professional development, and create lasting connections.

For more information, contact Andrea Vonnahme at andrea.vonnahme@fbfs.com or Mariah Nutt at mnutt@cdcia.org.

2024 Events

Mark Your Calendars!

CDC Annual Events*:

• Legislative Coffees- February 10^th & March 9^th                    
• Spring Sweep Retail Promotion- March 7th-9th
• Women in Business Luncheon- April 24^th
•  Manilla Madness Ride: May 4^th
• Crawford County Beautification Week: May 13^th-17^th
• CDC Golf Outing- June (day TBD)
• Red, White & Boom Celebration: July 3^rd
• Cat & Dog Days: July 11^th-13^th
• Annual Meeting- July 8^th
• Tri City BBQ Fest- September 20^th - 21^st
• Business Appreciation Breakfast: October 23^rd
• Crawford County Candidates Forum- October 29^th
• Holiday Open House & Recipe Walk: TBD  
• Winter Snowcial/Free Movie/WIBIO Horse Drawn Wagon Rides: TBD
• Merchant Meetings (quarterly)- January 10th ^@ Noon at Pizza Ranch, April 10^{th @} 8am at the Bake Shop, June 26th ^@ Noon at TBD, and October 2nd @ 8am at Family Table
• Women in Business Impact Organization (WIBIO) Meetings (monthly): 1^st Thursday of each month @ 5pm

*All CDC events are subject to change. Please read our weekly newsletter or check our Facebook page to stay updated.

Major County Events:

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Denison- March 16^th
• Crawford County Speedway:-Spring Fling April 26th, May (10th, 17th, 24th, 31st), June (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th), July (5th, 12th, 19th, 26th), August (9th, 16th)
• Hot Summer Nights- May 4^th, May 24^th, June 21^st, July 11^th, August 3^rd, August 17^th
• Ricketts 125th Celebration- June 29th & 30th
• Crawford County Fair- July 17^th-22^nd
• Denison Farmers Market- 3-6pm every Thursday from July through October*
• Tax Free Weekend- August 2^nd-3^rd
• Schleswig 125th Celebration/Calf Show Days- September 13th-15th

National Events:

• Tax Free Weekend- August 2^nd-3^rd
• Election Day- November 5^th
• Small Business Saturday: November 30^th

Do you know of a major event happening in Crawford County in 2024? We would love to add it to our list! We are looking for larger city celebrations, annual events, or any community-oriented event. While we appreciate all the church suppers, bake sales, fire department fundraisers, etc., we will not have the space to feature them on this list. Although, we would be happy to include it in our community calendar! For more information or to tell us about an event, email Mariah at mnutt@cdcia.org or call 712-263-5621.

As we embrace the winter wonderland settling over Crawford County, it's essential to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well. Today, I want to share some strategies to help your business not only survive but thrive during the winter months.

Infuse your businesses with warmth and vitality. One way to achieve this is through collaborations. Consider partnering with neighboring businesses for joint promotions or events. Winter-themed collaborations can create a buzz and attract a broader audience.

Create a welcoming ambiance within your storefront, offering a refuge from the cold. A cup of hot cocoa or a friendly smile can turn passersby into loyal patrons. Additionally, leverage the magic of winter on your social media platforms. Share captivating glimpses of your winter preparations, run seasonal contests, and foster engagement with festive content.

Introduce winter-themed sales and specials to entice customers. Whether it's a 'Winter Warm-up Sale' or 'Frosty Friday Specials,' these promotions can add a spark to your sales strategy. Engage with the community by participating in local winter events or hosting your own. Being an active part of the community helps build stronger connections and keeps your business top-of-mind.

Lastly, remember that the CDC is here to support your business endeavors. From marketing assistance to networking opportunities, leverage the resources available to enhance your business's resilience against the winter blues.

Warm regards, 

Paul Plumb 

CDC Executive Director 

Wellness Center Raffle

Ricketts Community Club Pancake Brunch

The Ricketts Community Club Pancake Brunch will be held at the Ricketts Community Center on Sunday, January 21st from 9am-12:30pm. They will be serving pancakes, french toast, ham, apple sauce, and a variety of rolls and pastries. Take out orders will be available. All " FREE WILL OFFERING " proceeds will be used towards expenses their 125TH Celebration on June 29th and 30th this summer.

Congratulations to Dow City for being selected for the 2024 Community Visioning Program!

Submit your events for our community calendar by clicking the buttons below: