As we continue to plan and prepare for RAGBRAI® on July 29th, West Union is calling for everyone’s help in making this a positive and successful event. We have created a Facebook page, RAGBRAI® West Union, to keep everyone updated on how this progress is unfolding. We are also looking for additional volunteers. Suppose you, your organization, or anyone you know is interested. In that case, volunteer forms can be found online, at the West Union Main Street Chamber office, or with the head of our Volunteer Committee, Leroy Soppe.

RAGBRAI Committees

Provided below is the list of RAGBRAI® committee chairs helping to organize RAGBRAI® for West Union. Should you have any questions that are specific to one committee, please utilize the contact information listed. For any other requests, please reach out to Matthew Marsala.

Executive Director: Matthew Marsala: (563) 422-3070

Secretary - Tiffany Johansen: (563) 880-5180

Treasurer - Tracy Weidemann: (563) 422-7373

Fundraising - Cam Granger: (563) 380-0665

Executive Chair #1 - Rory Starks: (563) 380-8534

Housing - Derek Heins: (563) 380-5111

Campgrounds - Blake Gamm: (563) 380-3616

Sanitation & Recycling - Rory Starks: (563) 380-8534

Electrical - Dave Westendorf: [email protected]

Executive Chair #2 - Trey Kuhens: (563) 422-3685

Publicity - LeAnn Larson: (563) 380-6160

Hospitality - Meaghan Siedel: (563) 412-8384

Volunteers - Leroy Soppe: (563) 422-8389

Executive Chair #3 - Tiffany Johansen: (563) 880-5180

Food & Vendors - Heather Bectold: [email protected]

Beverage Garden - Andy Bilden: (563) 518-1000

Entertainment & Special Events - Shawn Alber: (563) 880-4708

Executive Chair #4 - Lisa Roberts: (319) 238-3659

Public Safety - Paul Bectold: [email protected]

Law Enforcement - Paul Bectold: [email protected]

Medical - Lisa Roberts: (319) 238-3659

Communications - Paul Bectold: [email protected]

Ride Right - Ron Saboe: (563) 379-1309

Funding Opportunities

Destination Iowa is a $100 million investment to bolster the quality of life in Iowa’s communities and attract visitors and new residents to the state. The new effort will provide grants to help communities move forward on transformational, shovel-ready attractions. Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants from four separate funds: Economically Significant Development, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism Attraction and Creative Placemaking. Applications will start being accepted on May 9, 2022. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. Funding is being made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. For more information, visit Destination Iowa | Iowa Economic Development Authority (iowaeda.com).

Downtown Loan Guarantee – NEW PROGRAM! The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), in partnership with the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), will provide financial assistance in the form of loan guarantees for eligible downtown revitalization projects. This program acknowledges that local businesses have been hit hard with closures and seeks to address the reality that lending standards may be tighter for these businesses. IEDA/IFA will partner with Iowa financial institutions to secure necessary funding for eligible brick and mortar projects in a joint effort to stimulate Iowa’s economy to aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, visit Downtown Loan Guarantee Program (iowaeda.com). Questions contact Jim Thompson at 515-348-6183 or [email protected].Downtown Loan Guarantee

Main Street Challenge Grant The 2022 Challenge Grant overview flyer is now available to help with local marketing efforts and project selection. Applications will open June 27 – more information will be released through FYI MSI as that date approaches. Questions, contact [email protected].

Hometown Grant Program Calling all small towns with populations fewer than 50,000! The next round of the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program is open now through June 30, 2022.

Sports Tourism Marketing – The Enhance Iowa Board is accepting applications for the new Sports Tourism program. Applications will be accepted on the first of the month starting Feb. 1 through June 1, 2022, or until program funds are fully allocated.

Main Street Challenge Grant The 2022 Challenge Grant overview flyer is now available to help with local marketing efforts and project selection. Applications will open June 27.

FEATURED BUSINESS

Johansen Consulting LLC

Tiffany Johansen is a small business professional with more than 15 years of experience assisting businesses. Her passion is providing small business solutions for her clients by helping build infrastructure, guiding them with her knowledge, experience and leadership.

Johansen Consulting, LLC has four subsidiary companies: Big Rig Solutions, Business Solutions, HR Solutions and Safety Solutions. All four of these entities provide services that can independently assist businesses with specific demands, or they can be coupled together for customized support for multiple needs. Tiffany enjoys consulting with organizations in their early-stage endeavors and with existing organizations. Human resources, payroll, bookkeeping, Quickbooks support, business start-up, DOT compliance and safety are just a few of the many services Johansen Consulting provides. Prior to launching Johansen Consulting, LLC, Tiffany held several leadership positions in healthcare, local government, construction and educational organizations. Tiffany holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.

Johansen Consulting will be hosting this month’s Chamber After 5. Please join us on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at 5:00 PM at Johansen Consulting located at 405 Linden St. West Union, IA 52175.

Website: https://www.hrsolutionspro.com/home.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRSolutionsPro/

Phone Number: (563) 880-5180

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/3eYiDzn8e

NEW MEMBERS

Business Bronze

Easton's Water Conditioning

West Union Monument Company

Education Class

May’s educational class will be titled, “An Introduction to Fayette County Economic Development”. It will be hosted at the Chamber on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Mallory Hanson, Director for Fayette County Economic Development and Tourism, will give an introduction to the organization and discuss resources that are available at a county and regional level for businesses and community leaders. Hanson will specifically discuss how she can be a resource for business development, expansion, marketing, and collaboration.

Call Matthew Marsala at (563) 422-3070 or click the button below to register.

Click here to register!

Meet Our Board

Rick Trumm, owner of Tindell Shoes

Rick Trumm has been involved in the West Union Main Street Chamber for many years. Having previously served as a board member, Rick rejoined the Chamber in 2018.

“When I opened Tindell Shoes in 2016, there wasn’t hardly any retail downtown. I joined the Chamber to help attract more downtown retail businesses.”

With that mindset, Rick has been working to attract new businesses downtown and to West Union as a whole. As the chairman of the Membership Committee, Rick is working tirelessly to ensure that the Chamber is offering value to business owners and focusing on growing and supporting the business community.

When Rick isn’t focusing on the West Union Main Street Chamber, he is busy running two Tindell Shoes locations, one in West Union and one in Oelwein.

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