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August 20th, 2025

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CEO's Corner

Greetings Growth Alliance Members,


This week’s Hometown Tour gave us the chance to learn more about Kading Properties, a development, construction, and property management company making an impact across the Midwest. Their focus on workforce housing helps fill a real need—providing families with affordable, quality homes while boosting local economies. It was great to see how their approach could benefit communities like ours.


Next up, mark your calendars for September 9—our Member Meet & Eat at The Community Orchard! 🍎 We’re excited to welcome guest panelist Leah Glasgo, who will share her insights and perspective with us. Space is limited, so be sure to register at the link below. (And yes, the delicious food is enough of a reason to attend.)


Our Annual Golf Outing is almost here! Tickets are on sale now at the Growth Alliance office and will also be available at the course on September 4. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five, giving you a chance to win some epic prizes thanks to our generous sponsors. There’s still time to register a team of four or grab a hole sponsorship to network on the course—it’s going to be a great day for business and fun alike. ⛳


Also, don’t miss today’s podcast episode with Matt Johnson talking all things Golf Outing. We even had a guest host—the one and only Kamisha Mosely—bringing her energy and insights to the conversation. Check it out for all the details, laughs, and insider tips to make the most of the day.


Momentum is building, and these events are a great reminder that when we come together—over lunch, on the course, or through the podcast—we’re creating connections that grow our community.

Astra Ferris

Astra Ferris, IOM

Chief Executive Officer

The Newsletter is growing, and we need your help to keep the flow of things going smoothly. If you are wanting to submit a flyer please click HERE to complete the NEW process making sure to include all the details needed for your submission. *Reminder: Deadline to submit is 12:00PM the Tuesday before the Newsletter releases.

New episode dropped today, take a listen:

ALLIANCE UPDATES

Stop into the Growth Alliance and get your raffle tickets today!!!

Member Benefit

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Our ribbon cuttings are open to the public!

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

ISU Extension and Outreach The Science of Parenting


The Science of Parenting team from Iowa State University has scheduled virtual workshops to help caregivers learn about various parenting strategies. These workshops all focus on sharing research-based information that fits each family’s own reality. These workshops are funded by Health and Human Sciences Extension and Outreach for ALL participants, but you are asked to register ahead of time at scienceofparenting.org for each workshop you plan to attend to receive the class link and materials.


More Info

Back 2 School Sale


Cascades Nail & Beauty Bar is offering 10%off all back to school nails! Book with us now until 8/25 and receive 10% off your set! Or check out all the other services Cascades has to offer at the link below!




Book Now

Shoe Sensation Sale


BOGO 50% OFF Best Brands!

From now until August 24th! Stop into our store and check out all the amazing deals!

Fireside Chat - Archaeology 101


Join us each month for an informal discussion about a variety of conservation/recreation topics in Webster County. August's topic includes beekeeping and interesting facts about honeybees. Coffee and light snacks will be provided.

📅Thursday, August 21st- 6:00PM

📍Camp WaNoki Road


Gowrie Downtown Market


Join us for a evening of SHOPPING,MUSIC,FOOD & FUN!



📅Saturday, August 23rd

4:00PM-8:00PM

📍Downtown Gowrie

Join us for a Dance Workshop at VDA Powerstars Dance & Gymnastics! Experience a high-energy Jazz & Lyrical class designed to inspire and challenge dancers of all levels. Learn exciting combinations, improve technique, and unleash your creativity in a fun and motivating environment!

📅Saturday, August 23rd 10:00AM-12:30PM

Overdose Awareness


Join us to honor all the lives of Central Iowa that we have lost. We encourage you to bring a photo to display as we recognize those impacted by overdose.

📅Thursday, August 28th

5:00PM-7:00PM

📍424 Central Ave

*Overdose Education and Naloxone distribution training. Prior to event

2:00PM-3:15PM (Fort Dodge CFR)



Register for ServSafe Food Safety


This class will prepare individuals to become a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM), a requirement for retail food establishments in Iowa. The ServSafe® program blends information from the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research, and years of food sanitation training experience and is administered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. This class will be held in the meeting room at the Webster County Extension and Outreach office in Fort Dodge.

📅September 15th

Registration Due Aug 25th


Register Here


For a list of all events,

click here.

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Check out our Community Calendar for Events

MEMBER TO MEMBER

What It Really Means to Live Fully in Retirement


How to Money with Kole & Cole Larry McLuckie is a retiree who is living his life to the fullest. On today's episode: 🥳 Living Fully in Retirement ⚖️ Balancing Feelings in Retirement 💵 How to Handle Money Emotions in Retirement 🎉 Trying New Things in Retirement

No More Data Caps!


Earlier this year Mediacom dropped data caps on all of their Internet speed offerings. We are currently offering excellent 2 and 3 year price lock options!






More Info

More Than a Shelter: Brian Bidleman on the Mission of Beacon of Hope


Talk Fort Dodge Brian Bidleman is the director of Beacon of Hope in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He joins Talk Fort Dodge to discuss his journey, give the history of how the Beacon of Hope was founded, dispel myths about the Beacon of Hope, educate us on homelessness facts, and more!

Spin Markket + Digital luanches New Websiter for Badger Lutheran Church


Welcome to Badger Lutheran Church - Reaching Up to Worship

Our Family Homestead


Our Family Homestead will be at the Fort Dodge Farmers Market! Stop out and see us, Now Accepting Venmo!


📅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

Come see us!

Inside the Lens: How Jaxon Bush Found His Passion for Video Production


The Spin Markket Report Jaxon Bush is an intern at Spin Markket who is currently going to school at University of Northern Iowa for video production. We discuss how he became interested in video production, what he has learned in college, his drone mishap, learning from co-workers and contractors, and more!

Dog Training Classes


🐾 Dog Training Classes – Fort Dodge Build a better bond with your dog – start training today! Join our AKC-certified dog training programs designed to teach your pup essential skills, boost confidence, and improve behavior—all while having fun!

🐶 S.T.A.R. Puppy Class ⏰ 5:30 – 6:15 PM For puppies 2 – 6 months old. Help your puppy get the best start with socialization, basic obedience, and communication training. ✅ Requirements: Proof of rabies & distemper vaccinations. No dog-aggressive behavior. 🐕 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Class ⏰ 6:30 – 7:15 PM For dogs 6 months and older. This comprehensive AKC program teaches good manners and includes a 10-skill test to ensure your dog behaves in real-world situations. ✅ Requirements: Proof of rabies & distemper vaccinations. No dog-aggressive behavior.

📅 Class Schedule:

September 8 – October 27, 2025 (Mondays) 📍 Location: Fort Dodge

8 STRATEGIES TO OPTIMIZE FOR GOOGLE'S AI-POWERED SEARCH


Google’s Search Central has issued new best practices for content optimization in the age of AI Overviews and AI Mode. Here’s a streamlined guide to help your content stay competitive and visible.

Diffusing Tense Situations


Identify key triggers and signs of escalating tension in workplace interactions. Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to manage difficult conversations. Evaluate conflict resolution strategies to determine the most appropriate response in various high-stakes situations.

📍Webster City Campus

📅9/30/2025

2:00PM-4:00PM


📩noncredit@iowacentral.edu

📞515-574-1293


🔗Contact us for more information

 


Drew Essman & Al Paulson


Dodger Download This week, Josh Porter is joined by Fort Dodge Community School District senior brass section leader, Drew Essman, and Fort Dodge Community School District Band Instructor, Al Paulson to recap the 8/11/25 school board meeting, discuss growth of the Fort Dodge Senior High band, and more!

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