Fall 2026 Quarterly Update | |
Welcome to the Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative Newsletter
There’s a lot happening across Poweshiek County, and we’re glad to have a new way to keep our members updated. Each quarter, we’ll share news about the projects, partnerships and resources supporting our communities and local businesses. In this first issue, you’ll read about resources for small business owners, the new downtown gathering space in Grinnell and other work underway across the county.
| | Brooklyn Business Builder Series, session participants receiving information regarding financials and loans. | |
Bringing Small Business Resources Closer to Home | Poweshiek Development has partnered with Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Economic Development, Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Center for Economic Success, and Montezuma Community Development to ensure business owners across the county have access to the tools, training, and support they need to start, grow, and succeed. | | Image provided by IEDA Downtown Assessment with proposed flex space idea for activating underutilized spaces in downtown Grinnell. | |
Grinnell's Smallest Park Arrives Downtown | A vacant lot at 915 Main Street is getting new life. Picnic tables, planters, lighting, and a cozy place to gather, all thanks to two grant awards, received by Poweshiek Development and a group of community partners. Find out how it came together, and how you can help plant, install, or maintain it. | | |
Members of the housing workgroup discuss housing action plan during the end of year 1 All Workgroup gathering. | |
Workgroups Advance Economic Development Priorities | Over the past year, 38 representatives from 31 businesses and organizations came together through Poweshiek Development’s six countywide workgroups. Participants shared local knowledge, identified common challenges, and began turning countywide economic development priorities into action. Read more about the workgroups’ first-year progress and what comes next. | | Bringing State Resources Directly to Our Communities | | |
At Poweshiek Development, we connect communities with a variety of resources. Whether that means funding opportunities, technical assistance, or programs that support growth, our goal is to make connections so that those resources are easier to access. Here are a few recent examples:
- In January, Poweshiek Development brought IEDA representatives Sacha Wise of the Center for Rural Revitalization and Jim Thompson of the Downtown Resource Center to Malcom. Local leaders and business owners shared what makes their community special and led a tour of the food pantry, fire station, park, BASF, Heartland Cooperative, and Dayton Meat Products. The visit gave IEDA a firsthand look at Malcom and opened the door to future partnerships that could support the community’s growth.
- In February, Poweshiek Development launched the Poweshiek County Mayors’ Roundtable. Each month, mayors and other community leaders from across the county come together to share what is happening in their communities, learn from one another and hear about resources they can put to work locally, including topics such as housing resources, state programs and grant opportunities.
- In July, Sacha and Jim returned to Poweshiek County to visit Hartwick. They met with Mayor Carma Craig, City Council members and local business owners before touring local businesses, Arens Park, and the Fire Department and Community Center. The visit connected Hartwick leaders directly with state partners and gave those partners a chance to hear from the people who live, work, and serve there.
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Small Business B(AI)sics
Grinnell Chamber invites Poweshiek County Businesses to attend Small Business B(AI)sics, a free AI training workshop led by Doug Zawisza in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Google. This free 90-minute workshop focuses on ways small businesses can use artificial intelligence to save time and support business growth.
Date & Time: September 10, 2026 | 3 PM - 4:30 PM 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Format Option: In-Person at Grinnell College Golf Course, 933 13th Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112
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Looking to build your small business or strengthen your workforce? Our resource hub brings together funding opportunities, technical assistance, and other resources.
Manufacturers: Check out this information on workforce training and upskilling your team!
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