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Greetings, Growth Alliance Members!
The Growth Alliance has been buzzing with activity, and there’s no slowing down! From energizing events to exciting new partnerships, we’re building momentum that’s shaping the future of our community.
And speaking of momentum: our region just earned Workforce Housing Tax Credit awards, a big win for quality housing, talent attraction, and employer growth. Through Hoppe Development and a District 29 expansion, this is precisely the kind of “forward progress” that keeps Greater Fort Dodge competitive and thriving!
With even more on the horizon, now is the perfect time to plug in and be part of the action.
On Tuesday, September 30, at Noon, let’s do lunch the Leading Ladies way! Join us for a midday celebration packed with laughter, inspiration, and the kind of connection that only happens when incredible women come together.
Whether you’re leading a team, a community, or simply showing up for yourself and others every day, we appreciate you in our community. Let's keep growing together and have a wonderful week!
Thanks,
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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:
| | Our ribbon cuttings are open to the public! | |
Fireside Chat- Flint Knapping
Join us for a hands-on evening creating a functional tool from stone.
📅Thursday, September 18th
6:00PM
📍Camp WaNoKi
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Sip & Cycle
Join us for Sip & Cycle with Fort Dodge Young Professionals
📅Thursday, September 19th at 5:30pm! 🚴♀️🍷 We’ll bike together from📍 Rosedale Rapids to Soldier Creek Winery, where you can enjoy wine, live music, and great company before heading back. It’s the perfect chance to get active, connect with others, and unwind with a fun evening ride. Don’t miss it—grab your bike and join the ride!
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Dozer Day At Iowa State Fairgrounds
BIG NEWS!...Get ready for an unforgettable experience NUCA of Iowa’s first-ever Dozer Days is coming this fall!
📅When: September 20-21
📍 Where: Iowa State Fair- Elwell Family Park, Des Moines, IA
Bring the whole family for a hands-on, dirt-moving, equipment-running experience like no other. Mark your calendars—you won't want to miss it!
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Meet & Mingle On Main Street
Wednesday, September 24 4:30-6:00pm (Come & Go) at River Hops Brewing (1014 Central Avenue) Interested in the future of downtown Fort Dodge? Learn more about plans to revitalize downtown and meet Main Street businesses and volunteers. Slider sandwiches, chips, cookies, & water are provided. FREE TO ATTEND!
More Info
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Gowrie Downtown Market
Join us on Market Street in downtown Gowrie where you can support local businesses, explore a variety of items, handmade crafts, food, entertainment, and so much more!
📅Thursday, September 25th
4:00PM-7:00PM
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Live Bats
Learn more about bats and see LIVE bats on-hand! Bats are not blind or dirty animals, they are super beneficial to everyone. This presentation will help you understand and appreciate this misunderstood creature.
📅Saturday, September 27th
10:00AM
📍20 N 1st street
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Smitty's Fall Festival
Get ready for some fall fun! Our 2nd Annual Smitty's Fall Festival is happening on September 27th from 10 AM to 2 PM! Bring the whole family for a day of activities: 10 AM - 12 PM: We'll have tons of kids' activities, including pumpkin 🎃decorating, face painting, tic-tac-toe, and a special story time📖 at 10:15 AM. 12 PM - 2 PM: Enjoy live music🎶from the talented Jared Benson! While you're here, be sure to check out our local vendors, grab a bite from a food truck, and treat yourself to a famous wine slushy from Lucky Wife Wine Slushies! It's going to be a perfect day to celebrate the season with us!
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Trail Cleanup
Let's dedicate a morning to clearing away trash and litter along our remarkable trail system. Invite your family, friends, colleagues, or participate individually- sign up today!
📅Saturday, October 4th
9:30AM-11:30AM
Meeting at River's Edge Discovery Center
Register
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Rejuvenate Health & Wellness Grand Opening
Join us while we host our Grand Opening Celebration! This event will showcase our new location and services! You can expect discounts on most services, including wellness consultations, specialized testing, aesthetic treatments, exclusive Botox pricing, and memberships. We also offer customized payment plans.
📅Wednesday, October 8th
3:00PM-7:00PM
📍30 North 27th Street
This event is an opportunity to connect with patients, community members, and new faces, celebrating health, longevity, beauty, and confidence, while making premier wellness care more accessible locally. Our providers at Rejuvenate address patient concerns and offer alternative healthcare solutions in a fun and energetic environment.
Event Highlights Include:
* Special pricing on EmFace and EmSculpt treatment packages
* Exclusive event pricing on Filler, Botox, and EZ Gel
* Door prizes, giveaways, and vendor swag
* Expert consultations from trusted providers
We look forward to celebrating with you!
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Social Security Event
Open Seminar- Social Security Education
📅Thursday, October 9th
6:00PM-7:30PM
📍Crossroads Hotel & Events
1518 3rd Ave NW
More Info
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Petals & Prosecco
Join us for a unique opportunity to arrange your very own bouquet, guided by our florist. As your floral masterpiece takes shape, delight in the selection of wines from Soldier Creek Winery. Complementing these elegant sips, a curated array of small bites will be available. To register, call (515) 955-2431. Please sign up by October 1st. $45 per ticket
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Jokes On You
Come check out comedy sensation Jeff Leeson for his comedy tour "Jokes On You" You will laugh harder than you have in a long time!
Get your tickets now! Online sales only, no tickets sold at the door. You won’t regret it!
📅Friday, October 10th 7:30PM
📍Laramar Ballroom
Get Tickets
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Mississippi Heat
The vibes will be heating up at the Laramar Ballroom on Saturday, October 11th, as were jamin' out 🎶 with Mississippi Heat. You don't want to miss out. Doors will open at 6:30PM
Get Tickets
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Daybreak Rotary Chili Supper
Daybreak Rotary Annual Drive thru Chili Supper tickets are available now for $10. Get your tickets in advance so you don't miss out!
📅Saturday, October 11th
3:30PM-6:30PM
📍1111 5th Avenue N
First Presbyterian Church
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Strengthening Families Program
Do you want to improve communications with your fifth or sixth grader? If you answered “yes” to that question, the free Strengthening Families 10-14 Program for fifth and sixth graders and their families can provide the tools to help. For more information, call Linda Cline at 576-2119. First session begins on Sunday, October 12 or Mon., October 13. For more information, call Linda Cline at 515-576-2119
Register Here
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Career Fair
Join us for our Fall Career Fair!
📅October 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Career Education Building on the Fort Dodge Campus.
Employers who wish to participate must register in advance, with a $100 registration fee. Community job seekers are also welcome to attend at no cost, and no registration is required for them.
Employers Registration
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2nd Annual Angel Ride Save The Tatas Side-by-Side Ride
Join us with your Side-by-Side at our Angel Ride Save The Tatas Side-by-Side Ride.
📅Saturday, October 18th
Registration 9:00AM-10:30AM
📍Rides Bar & Grill Fort Dodge
💲$15 for Drivers $5 for Passengers
🎟️50/50 Raffle
THIS YEARS ROUTE:
-Rides Bar & Grill
-Knuckleheads
-Rails
-American Tap
-Stumpy's
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For a list of all events,
click here.
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North Central Iowa Regional Solid Waste Agency
📦 Got boxes piling up? 🥤 Plastics taking over? We’ll scoop them up for just $10. Consider us your recycling sidekick!
Check Us Out
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Financial Roadmap: Net Worth, Retirement, & Moving Forward
How to Money with Kole & Cole This week, Cole and Baileigh are discussing financial roadmaps. On today's episode: 🚗 A Roadmap for your finances ⚖️ Net Worth 👴 Retirement 🏈 Football is Back!
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Looking Back, Moving Forward: Building Fort Dodge's Tomorrow
Dennis Plautz is the retired CEO of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. We discuss Dennis's journey to working in Fort Dodge, how Fort Dodge has changed in the last 20+ years, the benefits the community is seeing from improvements that were made, and more!
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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
Come try our smoked brisket sandwiches! 🍔
Only 4 more Weeks left
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Fort Dodge Farmers Market
📅Wednesday Afternoons: 1PM-5:30PM
Saturday Mornings: 9AM-1PM
Only 4 more Weeks left
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Dodger Download With Roger Porter & Jordan Hagar
This week, Josh Porter is joined by the Director of Security, Roger Porter, and the School Resource Officer, Jordan Hagar. They discuss safety in schools, important changes they've made to increase security, the importance of perception when analyzing issues that arise, and much more!
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Dog Training Classes
🐶 Ready to transform your dog into a well-mannered companion? Click Here : Join our Dog Training Classes at Iowa Central – only $99 each! ✨ Whether you're starting with a playful pup or refining your dog’s manners, we’ve got you covered with: ✅ S.T.A.R. Puppy Class (ages 2–6 months) ✅ Canine Good Citizen Class (6+ months) 📅 Tuesdays | 9/16/25–11/18/25 📍 Fort Dodge – East Campus, Shop Bldg #3 📞 Contact us today: noncredit@iowacentral.edu | 515-574-1293
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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
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Fort Dodge History Comes Alive: Inside the Fort Museum & Frontier Village
The Spin Markket Report This week Jeana Becker (Board President) and Deb Davis (Executive Director) join us from the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. We discuss how The Fort was formed, its historical significance, how Jeana and Deb began working at The Fort, their favorite pieces of memorabilia on display, Frontier Days, Bingo, upcoming events, how to donate/volunteer, and more!
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How Micro-Moments Shape Consumer Buying Decisions Online
Ever searched for “best coffee shop near me” while craving a latte? Or quickly checked product reviews right before hitting “Buy Now”? Those split seconds are called micro-moments,tiny but powerful interactions that guide today’s online buying journey. Consumers no longer move through a slow, linear funnel. They make instant choices based on what brand appears, how relevant the information feels, and how easy it is to act.
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