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July 9th, 2025

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CEO's Corner

Hello Growth Alliance Members!


A lot is happening behind the scenes at the Growth Alliance—and it’s all in service of one goal: building a stronger economy and community for Greater Fort Dodge. From workforce development to business recruitment, our team works diligently every day to support growth across the region and create opportunities for both new and existing members.


One of the best ways to stay connected to that progress and to one another is through intentional, in-person networking. That’s why I want to personally invite you to join us for our upcoming Coffee & Connect event.


Coffee & Connect

Tuesday, July 15

8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Free networking event


This casual, come-and-go gathering is designed to foster conversations, spark ideas, and help you grow your network. Whether you're a familiar face or new to the Alliance, we encourage you to take part. Make sure to register for this free networking event and reserve your spot.


Also, if you haven’t yet listened to the most recent episode of our podcast featuring Director Debi Durham, this is one you don’t want to miss. She shares timely insight on Iowa’s economic development landscape and what it means for communities like ours. It’s a valuable listen for anyone invested in the future of our region.


Make sure to scroll through the rest of this email for news, events, and updates from fellow members. There’s so much happening in Greater Fort Dodge Region and we’re glad to have you with us.

Astra Ferris

Astra Ferris, IOM

Chief Executive Officer

New episode dropped today, take a listen:

ALLIANCE UPDATES

Member Benefit

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Our ribbon cuttings are open to the public!

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

FDYP Summer Deck Party


🔴⚫Join the Fort Dodge Young Professionals on Friday, July 11th @ 6:00pm for the FDYP Summer☀️ Deck Party!

Grab your friends and come on down to Amigos for a fun night of cold beer🍻, delicious pizza🍕, music🎶, and networking🔗.

We hope to see you there!


More Info

19th Annual Fun Run Angel Ride


Join us for the 19th Annual Angel Ride to "Save the Ta Tas"


📅Saturday, July 12th

🕛Registration 9AM-11AM

📍Amigo's Fort Dodge



*$20/person

Party Bus Available

Silent Auction all day

Live Auction starts 6PM

Brunch with Bickford


Come have brunch with us! We at Bickford Assisted Living invite you to brunch!


📅Wednesday, July 16th 1PM-3PM

📍Bickford of Fort Dodge 1536 20th Ave N



RSVP: Family Advocate Mercedes Anderson

515-571-5492

Tee'd Off Against Violence


Join us for our 9th Annual Tee'd Off Against Violence Golf Tournament. Benefits the Homicide and other violent crimes program. 4 person Best Ball tournament. Get your team registered today! $300 Team entry, shirt sizes are needed by July 1st.


📅August 2nd, 2025 9:00AM

📍Fort Dodge Country Club


Call Jamie for questions 515-269-0016

Carwash Fundraiser


Join us for Community Christian School's Carwas Fundraiser. All proceeds will go towards the school.

📅Saturday, August 16th

10:00AM-3:00PM

*Free will Donation

📍3126 5th Ave S


For a list of all events,

click here.

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Check out our Community Calendar for Events

MEMBER TO MEMBER

Socks For The Sole


Help us give kids a fresh start!

We're collecting new socks for local students—preschool through high school.

 Drop off your donation at Shimkat Motor Co. by August 1!

Let’s make sure no child starts school with worn-out socks

Marketing From the Inside Out: Agency vs. In-House Retail Media


Kinsey Lombard is a Retail Media Specialist at Casey's. We discuss the differences between in-house retail media and agency marketing, how her work fits into the larger marketing picture at Casey's, marketing exclusive products, the positive work environment at Casey's, and much more!  

Jenny Condon on Healthcare, St. Edmond Schools, & Lifelong Learning


Jenny Condon works in the Pulmonology Department at

Unity Point Health Care in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She discusses her lifelong love of learning, what it's like to work in pulmonology, her experience writing her book, her passion St Edmond Schools, and more!

Five Points Events


The events world in Fort Dodge has a major new player in town!  Five Points Events is proud to announce that a local group of events professionals have joined forces to take over operations of the Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy, the events and meeting venues at the Crossroads Hotel & Events Center, and the planning of special events at the new Pavilion sports and events arena in Fort Dodge.  

Children's Forest Storywalk


📖Take a Story Walk

A new book is featured in our Children's Forest. Our StoryWalk combines reading with a walk in nature.

➡️Follow the story posted along the loop gravel trail and enjoy the great outdoors.🌳

📍Located on the NW side of Badger Lake at Kennedy Park


Our Family Homestead


Our Family Homestead will be at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market! Stop out and see us and grab a jar of our delicious peach salsa!


📅Wednesday Afternoons: 1PM-5:30PM

Saturday Mornings: 9AM-1PM

Fort Dodge Farmers Market

📍We are located in the same location, across the street east of Kemna Auto or just north of the Graham Collision Building.



📅Wednesday Afternoons: 1PM-5:30PM

Saturday Mornings: 9AM-1PM

GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE NOW INTEGRATED WITH LOCAL SERVICE ADS


Google has announced a significant update for businesses using Local Service Ads (LSAs) - all new customer reviews must now be collected through your Google Business Profile (GBP) link. The previous LSA review link is no longer valid, requiring businesses to update their review collection process accordingly.

Buena Vista University


Interested in earning your Bachelors Degree? You can get your degree online. Apply today! Classes start August 25.

From Fitness to Fortitude: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Josh Mason


Josh Mason, owner of Active Health Clinics, Optic Ink, Anytime Fitness Fort Dodge, and CrossFit Fort Dodge, stops by to discuss how his entrepreneurial journey started, being prepared for new opportunities in business, balancing work and family life, and more!

Iowa Central Community College Mind Edge Summer Sale


Summer Sale is Here☀️

Level up your skills anytime, anywhere with online classes from MindEdge — trusted since 1998 and created by Harvard and MIT educators.

🧠Flexible. Affordable. Career-focused.


Whether you're reskilling, upskilling, or exploring something new, there's a course for you.


💻Online Classes Available 24/7

🎓Certificates & Professional Development

💸Use code SUMMER20 at checkout for 20% off!


📩noncredit@iowacentral.edu

📞515-574-1293


🔗Contact us for more information

 

Iowa Central Community College | Catalog


Don’t miss your chance to invest in you this summer!

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