Newsletter - DeWitt Chamber and Development Company

DCDC Monthly
Febrruary 2014
2014 Legislative Update
Because the DCDC recognizes the significance of small business to a strong and stable economy,
we actively cultivate relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and staff in order
to advance our shared goals of job creation, economic growth and a business climate to success. Take a look at what the DCDC has participated in in just the last week to facilitate those conversations.
Clinton County Date at the Capitol
On February 6th, a group of approximately 30 representatives from Clinton County visited with key
legislative leaders, including Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds. DeWitt was represented by Mayor Thiltgen, City Administrator Steve Lindner, and DCDC Executive Director Tami
Petsche. An array of topics was discussed, including education, healthcare, business growth, and
county and municipal issues. Clinton County Day is an excellent opportunity to get in front of the
key leaders to share our opportunities and challenges. If you are interested in participating in this
event next year, then mark your calendar for February 5th, 2015!
2014 Legislative Update/page 2
2014 Legislative Update/Continued from page 1
Economic Growth Forum
On February 7th, Senator Rita Hart partnered with the
DCDC, Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, Clinton
Regional Development Corporation and Clinton Community College to host a forum for Clinton County
businesses and community leaders to explore a wide
variety of issues, including TIF, CAT, historic preservation, economic incentives, and skilled job training. Also in attendance were Senator Bill Dotzler of
Waterloo, Chair of the Economic Development Budget
committee and Senator Steve Sodders of State Center,
Chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Congressman Loebsack Visits Scott Drug
The DCDC facilitated a visit between Congressman Loebsack
and Jen Walker, co-owner of Scott Drug Pharmacy during the
afternoon of February 7th. Jen was able to provide the Congressman with an overview of her main street business and the
different challenges and opportunities she faces as a small
business owner.
DeWitt Legislative Coffee
The DCDC, in partnership with Clinton County Farm Bureau, hosted Representative Steve Olson
and Senator Rita Hart for the first of three Legislative Coffees in DeWitt on February 8 th. Nearly
20 individuals from DeWitt and the surrounding area attended to learn about the 2014 legislative
session and ask questions of the legislators. The next two Coffees will be on March 8 at City Hall
and April 12 at the Community Center.
IN THIS ISSUE:
2014 Legislative Update
1-2 DCDC Revive After Five Schedule
Send Us Your Testimonials
3 DeWitt’s Ultimate Bachelorette Party
DCDC Board of Director Nomination Process Begins
4 Mission Statement
First Dollar Presentation
4
Member Spotlight
5
Save the Date
6
PAGE 2
Send Us Your Testimonials!
DCDC
MONTHLY
Help us tell others about DeWitt and the DCDC through your words!
We are excited to let you know we will be launching our new DCDC website in March of this year!
Within the site we will have several different types of testimonials residing on the pages, covering
a variety of topics including the DeWitt community, Membership with the DCDC and Economic
Development in DeWitt. We are hoping that you can play a part in the site by helping us showcase
some really great testimonials! We welcome you to provide testimonials to as many of the below
questions as you see fitting. If your testimonial piece is selected to be on our site, your name and
business/organization will be listed below your quote, giving you additional exposure and recognition on our website! Please email your testimonials to Emily Schmitt at [email protected]
and help us tell this great story through your words!!
DCDC Membership Specific Questions:
1. How has being a part of the DCDC impacted you or your business in a positive way?
2. Tell us about a positive experience that came out of being a part of a DCDC organized program
or event?
3. How do you optimize your membership with the DCDC?
4. How has being a part of the DCDC allowed you to have a deeper connection with the DeWitt
community?
Business Specific Questions:
1.Why did your company choose DeWitt as its business location? (ie, location, workforce, cost of
doing business, etc.)
2. What does DeWitt have that helps your business succeed?
3. What are the advantages of doing business in DeWitt?
4. What are the positive traits that you see in the individuals that you employ?
5.How has the DeWitt Chamber & Development Company (and the City of DeWitt) helped support
your business growth and success?
Community Specific Questions:
1.Why do you choose to live in DeWitt?
2.What makes DeWitt a unique place to live?
3.What activities or amenities do you take advantage of in DeWitt?
4. How has living in DeWitt impacted your (or your families) life in a positive why?
PAGE 3
DCDC Board of Directors Nomination Process Begins
Are you a DCDC member that has a strong desire to make DeWitt a better place to live, work and
do business? Have you ever considered making that happen through your participation as a DCDC
board member? If so, now is the time to contact Tami Petsche to learn more about this role and/or
to express your interest in the position.
The DCDC Board of Directors is composed of the Mayor, City Administrator, two representatives
from the DeWitt City Council, and the DCDC Executive Director. The remaining members represent a cross section of the various business, financial and community interests of the City of
DeWitt and the surrounding area.
In March, names of individuals that have expressed interest in a board position will be presented
to the DCDC Executive Committee. Based on the number of board positions open, the Executive
Committee will review the list and make final nominations to the full Board of Directors, at which
time an election will be held with the majority of the voting board members at the May board
meeting. Board members will begin their service on June 1, 2014 and serve a three year term to
expire on May 31, 2017.
Please contact Tami at 563-659-8500 by March 1 to discuss this opportunity.
First Dollar Presentation
In February the DCDC Ambassadors welcomed new owners Lisa & Kevin Duffy of Meant to Be
With Flowers with a First Dollar presentation. Congratulations on your new business and we
wish you years of success!
PAGE 4
M ember Spotli ght: W hisk Away Caf é & B akery
Whisk Away Cafe and Bakery is an eclectic and inspiring cafe and bakery offering a unique variety of gourmet sweets and savory dishes as well as custom cake creations and catering for any
event. Everything from our bread to our soups to our pastries and cakes is made from scratch in
house. At Whisk Away we use fresh, high-quality ingredients when preparing our entrees and
desserts. Our goal is to bring the comfort of hearty dishes and spectacular sweets to your table
at affordable prices.
CAFE AND BAKERY
Whisk Away offers a variety of pastries and desserts including cinnamon rolls, cheesecake bars,
cupcakes, scones, cookies and more. We also offer special order cakes and cheesecakes. For
breakfast we offer egg bake breakfast casserole and breakfast wraps every morning as well as a
variety of fresh breakfast pastries. The cafe offers dine-in, to-go, and “Take- N-Bake” casseroles
quickly without compromising home-cooked quality. It’s like having a family Sunday dinner everyday. “Take-N-Bake” casseroles are pre-assembled family-size dishes, such as Shepherd’s Pie
or Hearty Lasagna, that customers can take home to bake at their convenience. We also offer a
variety of specialty coffee and espresso drinks, hot and iced teas, lemonade, sodas and other
bottled beverages.
CATERING
We have a variety of catering options available to ensure your event is a delicious and unique
culinary experience. We provide everything from boxed lunches, which include a sandwich, side
dish and cookie, to appetizers, casseroles, salads and, of course, our homemade desserts. What’s
special about Whisk Away’s catering? We will be happy to create a custom menu to match your
taste, style and budget. Catering is available for weddings, reunions, graduations, baby and bridal showers, birthdays, business meetings, retreats and other events.
Looking for a unique place to host a birthday party or other special event? We have just the
place! Bakery tours, cookie or cupcake decorating, and other activities will make your event
memorable!
COOKING CLASSES
Throughout the year, owner, Laura Prichard, hosts a variety of cooking classes for all culinary
skills and tastes. The goal is to dispel the myth that the art of cooking is difficult or mysterious
and to provide a comfortable environment for anyone curious about cooking. The cafe and bakery also has kids cooking classes that combine fun with kitchen fundamentals. Group classes are
available to businesses, clubs and organizations looking for team-building exercises. They are
also great ideas for bridal showers, girls’ night out, birthday parties and more!
FUNDRAISING
We offer a variety of ways for your club or organization to raise money. Decorate cupcakes, sell
cookie dough, host a lunch and more!
PAGE 5
SAVE THE DATE!
2.20.14 Revive After Five, 5-7PM at Whisk Away Café and Bakery
3.8.14 Legislative Coffee, 11AM–Noon at DeWitt City Hall
3.20.14 Revive After Five, 5-7PM at Deke Insurance
4.24.14 DeWitt’s Ultimate Bachelorette Party
4.12.14 Legislative Coffee, 11am-Noon,
DeWitt Community Center (small room)
Welcome New Members!
J&L Lawn Care and Landscaping, LLC provides year round
facility maintenance including, but not limited to, lawn
J&L Lawn Care and Landscaping, LLC care, landscaping, hardscapes, retaining walls, pressure
washing, parking lot sweeping, snow removal, and
2990 265th Street
deicing. Our service area includes the greater DeWitt
DeWitt, IA 52742
area, as well as Clinton, Maquoketa, Eldridge and Daven563-212-4177
port. We specialize in residential, commercial and industrial size facilities.
Habitat for Humanity
of Clinton County, Inc.
PO Box 2282
Clinton, IA 52733
563-242-4494
Habitat for Humanity of Clinton County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit,
ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for
Humanity works in partnership with people in need to
build decent, affordable housing. The homes are then
sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest.
Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual, corporate, and church donors provide money and material to
build Habitat home. The partner family invest hours of
sweat equity; either by building their own home, the
home of others, or volunteering at some other community
organizations
The homes that we build are simple, decent structures
and are not hand-outs. Partner families put in a large
amount of time before and during the build process and
work side-by-side with our volunteers to build a home
that is affordable. Habitat for Humanity of Clinton County
offers a no interest loan to partner families, who make
monthly mortgage payments that help fund future building projects.
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
DeWitt’s Ultimate Bachelorette Party
Mark your calendar for DeWitt's Ultimate Bachelorette Party!! This event
is put on by the DeWitt Retail Alliance and supported by the DCDC!
Become a fan of the events FB page https://www.facebook.com/
ultbachlorette to keep up to date with all the fun and exciting things we
have planned for this year's event! Sponsorship opportunities will be
available in February; we encourage you to be a part of this unique
event!!
PAGE 8
Thank You!
Mission Statement
The DCDC’s mission is to lead, inform, advocate and advance business interests and promote community growth. Our core focus is to support existing businesses, attract new businesses, and assist in
enhancing the quality of life for our community.
DCDC Board of Directors
Greg Gannon, DeWitt Bank & Trust, Chair
DCDC Staff
Wayne Stuedemann, Ag Spectrum, Vice-Chair
Tami Petsche, Executive Director
Brian Volkens, First Central State Bank, Treasurer
Emily Schmitt, Programs & Events Coordinator
Don Thiltgen, DeWitt Mayor
Kristi Becker, Business Education Coordinator
Mary Rueter, The Observer
Stephanie Sagers, Administrative Assistant
Dave Deke, Deke Insurance
Steve Hasenmiller, City Council Representative
Merle Ocken, DeWitt Resident
Dan Peterson, Central Community School District
Steve Lindner, DeWitt City Administrator
DeWitt Chamber & Development Co.
1010 6th Ave
Tina Lively, DeWitt Bank Tax & Accounting Services
DeWitt, IA 52742
Garey Chrones, Office Machine Consultants
Phone: 563-659-8500
Luanne Smith, City Council Representative
Email: [email protected]
William Rice, Guardian Industries
Website: www.dewitt.org
Dean Holst, Holst Construction
Hours: M-F, 9-4
Joe Tabor, ITW Fluids North America
Connect with the DCDC
www.dewitt.org
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