October 2023 Newsletter

Your guide to what's happening in the West Union Business Community

Author

Matthew Marsala
October 04, 2023

Upcoming in October

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2ND

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4TH

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5TH

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH

WEST UNION MAIN STREET CHAMBER EVENT

West Union Block Party

Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Downtown West Union
More Information

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11TH

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12TH

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13TH

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

WEST UNION MAIN STREET CHAMBER EVENT

Grow with Google

Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: West Union Community Library
More Information

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22ND

WEST UNION MAIN STREET CHAMBER EVENT

Trunk or Treat

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Downtown West Union
More Information

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH

WEST UNION MAIN STREET CHAMBER MEMBER EVENT

Chamber After Five - Koch Real Estate

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Koch Real Estate
More Information

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND

West Union Main Street Chamber & Member Events

FAYETTE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM:
NORTHEAST IOWA FARM CRAWL – FALL SEASON

WEST UNION BLOCK PARTY

DOWNTOWN WEST UNION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

For more information or to get involved, please call Kayla Buchheit at (563) 419-0825 or Heather Becthold at (641) 512-0940

GROW WITH GOOGLE

WEST UNION COMMUNITY LIBRARY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Workshops:

October 19, 2023, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Topic: Get Your Local Business Listed on Google Search and Maps

Description:
Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish.

In this session, we’ll show you how to:

  • Create or claim your Google Business Profile

  • Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps

  • Use your Business Profile to connect with potential customers

October 19, 2023, 1:00pm-2:00pm
Topic: Reach Customers Online with Google

Description:
Learn how your business can be found online with Google. This workshop explains how Google Search works and how you can improve a website’s visibility with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The session also introduces products like Google Business Profile, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Ads, and more.

In this workshop, we’ll discuss best practices for:

  • Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices

  • Creating a free Google Business Profile

  • Advertising your business on Google

You must register to attend.

About the Host:

LINDSEY NEWLAND

Lindsey Newland

Lindsey Newland is the Founder & Owner of The Newland Company, a graphic design and marketing strategy firm based in Ottumwa that services clients from all across state. She is the Business and Marketing Specialist at Main Street Ottumwa, an organization that helps the community grow by revitalizing the Downtown, increasing traffic to small businesses, and growing the entrepreneurship ecosystem. She is your Iowa Grow with Google Digital Coach, offering free business building workshops to small businesses in small towns.

TRUNK OR TREAT

DOWNTOWN WEST UNION
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22ND
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

(Rain Date is Sunday, October 29th)
For more information or to get involved, please call or text Matthew Marsala at (563) 422-3070

A little further out…

Faith & Four Letter Words

WEST UNION EVENT CENTER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM

For more information or to get involved, please call
Nancy Franzen at (563) 419-2921

WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!

BRONZE

Heritage Mutual Insurance

Phone: (563) 422-9538
Address: 109 Adams St, West Union, IA 52175

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Sunday: Closed
Monday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: Closed

Norby’s Farm Fleet

Phone: (563) 422-5343
Address: 219 N Oak St, West Union, IA 52175

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

GRANTS

  • CENTER FOR RURAL REVITALIZATION GRANTS

    • Grants are open and available on iowagrants.gov. Informational webinars and guidelines, along with a PDF of an outline of programs, are available on the website for each of the grants. Click here to view the recording from the recent Leadership Webinar. For questions, contact [email protected].

LOANS

  • CITY OF WEST UNION REVOLVING LOAN FUND

    • The City of West Union Revolving Loan Fund provides gap financing to new and expanding businesses for which credit is not otherwise available.

  • WEST UNION MAIN STREET CHAMBER REVOLVING LOAN FUND *NOW UPDATED

    • Purpose: The West Union Main Street Chamber Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) funds are available to provide financial assistance to start-ups or expansions to small businesses in West Union.

    • Eligible Projects: The creation of jobs is a fundamental consideration. Applicants eligible for RLF funds include but are not limited to: individuals, partnerships, businesses, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Municipalities and county governments are not eligible applicants.

FEATURED BUSINESS

Koch Real Estate

Koch Real Estate is a new locally owned Real Estate Brokerage that was established in April 2023. The business is located in a beautifully remodeled office space at Lilac Plaza in West Union. Emily Koch is the Owner/Broker and has been in the Real Estate Industry for 20 years. Koch Real Estate works with clients to sell, purchase, and appraise properties anywhere in NE Iowa, however, the NFV school district is the specialty. Koch Real Estate sells residential, commercial, buildable lots and farmland. Emily is highly invested in the success and betterment of our community and donates her time on numerous boards. With her knowledge of real estate and Northeast Iowa, you can't go wrong hiring Emily to help you with any of your real estate needs.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 25th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, for our Chamber After Five at Koch Real Estate with owner/broker Emily Koch. You’ll have an opportunity to tour their new location, network with other business owners, and enjoy free drinks and food.

OCTOBER 2023 CHAMBER AFTER FIVE
WITH KOCH REAL ESTATE

Date: Wednesday, October 25th, 2023
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: 315 1/2 Hwy 150 N West Union, IA 52175

Facebook Event Link: https://fb.me/e/1bkthVrrs

Chamber After Five with Koch Real Estate

Join us as we learn more about Koch Real Estate with Owner/Broker Emily Koch

https://fb.me/e/3VucwcrSG

Congratulations Brandon Fenneman!

Brandon Fenneman, a West Union native, recently became the owner of the West Union Anytime Fitness location. Having been at this location as an employee and in the fitness industry for over five years, we are excited to see Brandon’s goal realized. Please join us in congratulating Brandon. Way to go!

It’s finally official!! I will be taking ownership of the Anytime Fitness here in West Union! I can’t begin to explain how excited I am for this! Thank you for the opportunity Joshua and Nedra, it’s been a dream of mine since I’ve gotten into the fitness industry. Thank you to all my family, friends, and members of the gym who have been so supportive of me in this decision! I’ve gotten the pleasure to be here the last 5 years and many more years to come! I’ve been blessed to help and meet so many great people and can’t wait for more!😁

West Union Anytime Fitness Owner Brandon Fenneman

Local Job Opportunties

Jones Transport

Phone: (563) 875-9083
Facebook

West Union Main Street Chamber
Mega Cash Raffle

Are you feeling lucky and looking to support the West Union Main Street Chamber organization? Here's your chance! Our Mega Cash Raffle offers you an opportunity to make a $20 contribution to our efforts to support our local businesses and community while getting a shot at winning a substantial prize.

Look for us at the 2023 Block Party on Saturday, October 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for our raffle kickoff. More information will be shared on our Facebook page and our website in the coming days.

Looking to Get Involved?

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? We invite you to join us in our mission to create a better future for West Union. As a volunteer, you can be a vital part of our efforts to support local businesses, organize exciting community events, and drive economic growth. Your skills, time, and enthusiasm can help us make West Union an even more vibrant and thriving place to live, work, and play. Join our team of dedicated volunteers today, and let's work together to build a stronger, more connected community for all. Together, we can make a difference!

Visit us at the West Union Main Street Chamber office located in the downtown at 101 N Vine St, West Union, IA 52175. Our Executive Director, Matthew Marsala, is also available via phone at (563) 422-3070 or through email at [email protected].