July 2026 Alliance Newsletter

INVENTREK TECHNOLOGY PARK

Helping entrepreneurs drive their business forward

The Drive is more than a business competition. It’s an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to gain guidance, resources, and support as they grow their businesses. This year’s finalists are currently working with Alliance staff through a hands-on process focused on strengthening their operations, marketing, and final pitch for the competition.

As the competition approaches, finalists are working with Alliance staff to develop their business pitches, highlight their goals and hone in on how they would use the prize money to continue growing their businesses. Here's a glimpse of what this process includes:

Canva 201 helps businesses build their brand

As part of the Linked to the Future series, the Alliance hosted Canva 201: Designing with Confidence in June, helping small business owners take their Canva skills to the next level.

The limited-size, hands-on session allowed attendees to receive personalized guidance as they learned how to upload their brand colors into Canva, apply those colors to templates, and create designs that better reflect their businesses. Along the way, several attendees had those “a-ha” moments as they discovered new ways to make their brands more consistent and visible.

The Linked to the Future series provides entrepreneur-focused education, support, and resources designed to strengthen Kokomo’s small business community.

GREATER KOKOMO VISITORS BUREAU

Summer is here, and there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy Kokomo.

From cooling off at Kokomo Beach to car shows, festivals, free concerts, and more, the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau’s Summer Fun Guide makes it easy to find what’s happening around Kokomo and Howard County.

By promoting local attractions, events, and experiences, the Visitors Bureau helps connect residents and visitors with the places and people that make Kokomo a great place to live, work, and explore.

Click here to explore the Summer Fun Guide

Get ready for championship-level competition in Kokomo

Kokomo is welcoming hundreds of softball teams and families from across the country this summer for the 2026 Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series, happening July 13-31 at Kokomo High School Softball Stadium and Championship Park.

More than 400 teams are expected to compete, bringing visitors who will fill local hotels, restaurants, and businesses while experiencing all our community has to offer. Keep an eye out for the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau team while you’re at the games. Our staff will be there supporting the event, helping visitors, and sharing why Kokomo is a great place to play, stay, and explore.

Community calendar moves to new home

Our online community events calendar has a new home. You can now find upcoming Kokomo-area events, festivals and activities at events.visitkokomo.org.

The calendar is maintained by the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau as a free resource to help residents and visitors discover what’s happening across Kokomo and Howard County. By gathering events in one place, it helps local organizations promote their activities while making it easier for people to explore the community and support local events.

Be sure to update your bookmarks and stay connected with everything happening in Kokomo.

Check it out here

GREATER KOKOMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Event builds connections beyond the course

Held on June 24, the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce’s annual Golf Classic is more than a day on the green. It’s one of the Chamber’s most valuable opportunities for relationship building, networking, and connecting with fellow business leaders.

The relaxed pace and welcoming environment of the course create opportunities for golfers and sponsor representatives to have meaningful conversations, build relationships, and strengthen connections outside of the traditional office setting.

Through events like the Golf Classic, the Chamber continues to create opportunities for members to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Alliance staff chat with local entrepreneur

The latest episode of the Spotlight Podcast features Brenda “Blondie” Kaufman, founder of Blondies Cookies, as she shares the story behind building a 41-year family business.

From starting a cookie business in her college dorm room to navigating challenges like economic downturns, 9/11, and COVID-19, Brenda shares lessons in leadership, resilience, and staying focused on what you do best.

Produced in partnership with the Hoosier Heartland Indiana Small Business Development Center and Vision Studio, the podcast offers insights, resources, and inspiration for anyone interested in local business and economic development. The podcast is hosted by Chamber Manager Courtney Butler and Economic Development Manager Caitlin Sheets.

New episodes are released weekly.

Join us at the July Small Business of the Month
reception at KOG from 4-4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16

Find complete event details here

State of the City Address by Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Bel Air Events, 3014 S. Webster St., Kokomo

Mark your calendar for the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce’s Business Matters Luncheon featuring Mayor Tyler Moore’s annual State of the City address.

This event provides business and community leaders an opportunity to hear updates on Kokomo’s accomplishments, future plans, and initiatives impacting our community, including economic development, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life. Sponsored by the Indiana University Kokomo School of Business, this popular luncheon fills quickly, so reserve your spot early.

Click here for full event details and registration

GREATER KOKOMO DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION

America 250 brings community collaboration

The Greater Kokomo Downtown Association and the Alliance joined several local organizations to bring a full day of community events celebrating America’s 250th birthday on July Fourth.

The day included activities at Seiberling Mansion, a downtown celebration around the Courthouse Square, a Kokomo Creek Chubs game at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, and a fireworks finale. The Downtown Association coordinated the America’s 250th Celebration Walk to Kokomo Municipal Stadium, where community members joined local veterans, first responders, and the Kokomo Park Band in a patriotic tribute before the Kokomo Creek Chubs game.

Mayor Tyler Moore helped kick off the celebration by representing Kokomo on WISH-TV’s "Daybreak" live from Indianapolis in the morning.

While the celebration brought together many community partners, it also highlighted the collaboration and coordination it takes to create opportunities for residents and visitors to gather, celebrate, and experience Kokomo.

KOKOMO CONFERENCE CENTER

A glimpse of the Kokomo Automotive Museum taking shape in the lower level.

Conference center reaches new major milestone

The Kokomo Conference Center has reached another major milestone with the receipt of its Certificate of Occupancy, bringing the community one step closer to opening the doors of this new facility. With construction moving toward completion, the building is now being filled with the details that will bring the space to life. Deliveries of kitchen equipment, furniture, interior signage, and more are underway as teams work to prepare the facility for its first guests.

The final pieces are coming together as the Kokomo Conference Center moves closer to opening and creating new opportunities for meetings, events, and visitors in our community.

Learn more about the venue here