The Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Club will once again host an Annual Appreciation Night for the Estherville Police
Department, Fire Department, Ambulance Service, County Sheriff’s
Department, Iowa Highway Patrol and other law enforcement and
emergency personnel for the outstanding service they provide throughout the year on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at River View Golf Course. 

The Estherville Ambassadors invite you or your business to attend, and to sponsor an emergency services professional as a thank you for outstanding service throughout the year.

What?  Annual Emergency Services Personnel Appreciation Night

When?  Tuesday, September 18, 2007

            Social at 5:00 p.m.

            Dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Cost?  $11.00 per person.  Purchase tickets for yourself, your employees, family members, and/or Emergency Service Personnel.  Sponsored tickets will be distributed throughout the local departments.  If you are unable to attend, but still want to purchase a ticket for the honored guests, it is very much appreciated.

How?  Call the Chamber Office at 362-3541 to order tickets and be billed.  Tickets ordered by phone or through the mail can be picked up at the Chamber Office or when you arrive at River View Golf Course on
September 18^th.

Please join us for an evening of good food and fellowship as we say thank you to the many dedicated people who provide us with law
enforcement and emergency services throughout the year!

Work Opportunity Tax Credits Expand for Iowa Employers

Des Moines- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program provides employers with tax credits of up to $2,400 for wages paid per employee hired from targeted groups during their first twelve months of employment.

“Two program expansions have significantly increased the available credits for Iowa employers.  The Rural Renewal Counties and the Disabled Veterans categories provide benefits for hiring individuals in specific counties as well as disabled veterans, therefore, increasing their potential employment options,” indicated Iowa Workforce Development Director Elisabeth Buck.  “Programs such as the WOTC provide an incentive for employers to satisfy their workforce needs with traditionally under utilized candidate pools.”

The Rural Renewal Counties category allows a tax credit for hiring individuals, age 18-39, in the following Iowa counties:  Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Butler, Calhoun, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Emmet, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Hancock, Humboldt, Ida, Keokuk, Kossuth, Montgomery, Osceola, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Poweshiek, Sac, Taylor, Union, Wayne, Winnebago, and Worth.  The Disabled Veteran category applies to veterans with a service-connected disability and hired within one year of having been released from active duty or unemployed any six of the last twelve months.

 Work Opportunity Tax Credits are still available to employers who hire 18-24 year olds from a family receiving welfare assistance including food assistance; residents of Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities or Renewal Communities.  Employers may be eligible for credits when hiring individuals with disabilities, ex-felons or Social Security Insurance recipients, regardless of their age.

Dusty Embree, Executive Director of the Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce Completes Institute, Week-long Nonprofit Leadership Program
produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

Dusty Embree, Executive Director, of the Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce recently completed Institute for Organization Management (Institute), an intensive week-long nonprofit leadership training program held June 3–7, 2007, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis.

The industry leader in nonprofit education, Institute is a four-year program, held at five sites each year—four in the summer and one in the winter. Most participants attend the one-week sessions at the same site each year, building valuable relationships with others in the industry and creating a network of idea sharing. Through a combination of required courses and electives, students not only enhance their own organizational management skills but add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively. 

Graduates of Institute receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in association, chamber, and nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn points toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region. 

For more information, contact Institute for Organization Management at U.S. Chamber headquarters at 202-463-5570; 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20062-2000; www.uschamber.com/institute.

Why Join the Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce & EIDC?

There are many benefits in supporting the Chamber with your membership. Some of these benefits include:

Business Exposure - Chamber membership expands your network of customers and suppliers

Business Referrals - Our Chamber staff answers over 1,000 inquiries each year for referrals of products and services. And only member companies are referred.

Credibility - Numerous consumer surveys have shown that customer perceptions are enhanced by Chamber of Commerce membership. Membership decals and use of the logo in advertising are available to all members at no additional cost.

Promotion - We promote our community to potential residents who become customers, clients, and workforce for your business.

New Member Recognition in newsletters, on the websites, etc.

Opportunities to give your opinion, help your community through committees and task forces, and to participate in developing the organization’s Program of Work and Action Plan.

Access to the Chamber’s membership mailing list and labels,and to exceptional professional
networking opportunities, including the highly popular Business After Five, held monthly at various member businesses for members to meet, exchange ideas, and network. 

An administrative staff devoted to responding to your needs and concerns.

Special advertising and sponsorship opportunities in the Chamber’s marketing campaigns and
special events.

The Chamber’s Administrative Staff and Ambassador Committee’s assistance to coordinate and promote events such as ribbon cuttings, special anniversary events, and other celebrations.

Special rates to participate in many Chamber sponsored activities and promotions- Farm and Home Show, Holiday Promotions, Maps and Brochures

A listing in the Chamber’s Internet site’s searchable business directory, Estherville Bucks
Redemption, Participation in our Bad Check Program, and More!

Please show your support of the Estherville Area  Chamber of Commerce by becoming a member today!

Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the Shop Estherville First Card Program! 

The card gives discounts/ special offers at various local Chamber Member businesses to each and every one of their employees.  The goal is to give the employees these cards to let them know that because their business chooses to invest in our community, all employees will get some perks for their membership- even those that don’t live here.  We would like to invite you to participate in this
program absolutely free, as a part of your annual Chamber
investment. 

We have changed the card somewhat to make it more user-friendly for the business & consumer.  This time, the actual discount from each participating business will be printed on the card.  It can be a one-time use discount, or if you want it can be valid all year. 

Each and every Chamber Member business will be given one card per employee to distribute.  Along with the card, there will be a letter describing the program, and a note
telling the employees that they are receiving it because they work for a business that is a Chamber Member. 

We encourage all owners and managers to explain the program to their employees, and encourage the use of them.

The card will take affect on October 1, 2007, and expire at the end of the Chamber Membership year- September 31, 2008.

Don’t miss out, make sure you are listed on the card!  Call the Chamber at 712-362-3541 to be listed by September 7th!  Thanks!

Wrapping up a SWEET Success!

The Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff would like to thank the community for a wonderfully sweet 2007 Sweet Corn Days Festival!
As always, the event could not be organized without the help of our sponsors, volunteers, and staff.  And, it would not be successful without the support and participation of Estherville citizens, reunion goers, and tourists!

Sweet Thanks To:

Hy-Vee

Clarken Realtors

Laurel & Roger Hash