Grinnell Area Chamber Joins The Partnership

Posted: Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Executive Committee has voted to join the Greater Des Moines Partnership as an Affiliated Chamber.  The affiliation was formally announced at the Partnership’s Annual Dinner meeting Wednesday evening.   On hand to celebrate the announcement were Angela Harrington, President/CEO Grinnell Chamber of Commerce Grinnell Convention & Visitors Bureau; Russ Behrens, City Manager, City of Grinnell; Lesley Wright, Director, Faulconer Gallery at Grinnell College and Vice-Chair, Grinnell Tourism Committee. 

The Grinnell Chamber has over 385 business members, all of which automatically become regional business members of the Partnership.  The Grinnell Chamber joins 23 other Central Iowa Chambers of Commerce and more than 4,300 local businesses represented by the Partnership.
 
“Joining the Greater Des Moines Partnership will bring more opportunity, resources, and exposure to the business community of Grinnell,” said Harrington.  “We are looking forward to the opportunities created by regional relationships, giving Grinnell a larger voice in the Central Iowa economy. 

“This Chamber affiliation brings our individual members added opportunity to network and access business and professional development tools and resources, and will draw people from the Des Moines area to Grinnell and its assets,” added Wright. 

Under the Partnership’s regional member model, regional members of the Partnership have access to a wide range of tools to help their business and workforce grow.

Some member advantages include:
•    Marketing tools, including a listing in the online and published Regional Business Directory
•    Workforce recruitment assistance, including an online job/resume database
•    Business resources, including Buy Into the Circle, regional networking opportunities and professional development webinars
•    Regional advocacy at the local, state and national levels

The Affiliate Chambers' programming elevates the voice of small business and creates local connections for members to access other local businesses and the community at large.  

“We welcome Grinnell and look forward to members’ participation in our regional efforts in 2012,” said Vicki Davis of Valley Bank in Clive, the 2012 Affiliate Presidents’ Chair and a Clive Chamber member.  “The Grinnell Chamber is community focused and business oriented.  These members join an already vibrant program to drive economic growth with one voice, one mission, and as one region.”