Business Person of the Year:  Ashlee Humphrey Waithanji 

The Polk City Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Ashlee Waithanji  as our 2013 Business Person of the Year. Ashlee is The owner and head instructor at Ashlee’s Creative Arts Academy. Ashlee is a North Polk graduate and proud supporter of the North Polk Community. Ashley goes above and beyond for her students and her community everyday. She is involved in Walk to Cure Diabetes and her dancers perform at the Blank Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees each year.  As one nomination points out, “What Ashlee does is give self-confidence, what she instills in her students is really amazing to watch.  She teaches them to be themselves and to not be afraid to use their imagination. There is nothing better than hearing these young girls say they feel beautiful.” Ashlee is a great promoter of Polk City, and we are proud to recognize her for her contributions.

2013 Citizen of the Year: Dennis Dietz
The Polk City Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Dennis Dietz as our 2013 Citizen of the Year.  Dennis is an active member of our community and has been instrumental in helping to make the Chamber what it is today. In the Chamber’s growing period Dennis, who is retired, stepped up as Chamber President when no one else could. As one nomination points out, “Dennis  has promoted our community, stepped up in a time of need, and is a great representative of Polk City.”  Dennis Dietz is a great asset to our community and we are proud to recognize him for his contributions.

Polk City Chamber Leaders Attend “Day on the Hill” with the Greater Des Moines  Partnership

Polk City – Shane Torres and John Calhoun of the Polk City Chamber of Commerce recently joined the Greater Des Moines Partnership and other local Chamber and business leaders to advocate on behalf of the region at the Iowa State Capitol during the Partnership’s annual “Day on the Hill” event on Thursday, February 14, 2013. More than 50 business and community leaders, including many representatives from Chambers throughout Central Iowa, participated in the event designed to provide an opportunity to work with the Iowa General Assembly and the Administration to accomplish mutually beneficial legislative goals and objectives for the economic betterment of Iowa. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear remarks from Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.

During the Partnership’s “Day on the Hill”, Torres and Calhoun met with local Senators and Representatives to discuss legislative issues.

“We know that creating an environment where businesses of all sizes can flourish is of the utmost priority,” said Torres. “It is imperative that we work with our representatives to ensure that legislation will help to create jobs, encourage business expansion, and foster economic growth for Polk City.”

The Partnership believes that state government should set the stage for business competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and employment-generating investment by the private sector to promote economic growth. Accordingly, the Partnership works with local Chambers to support statewide economic development policies that enhance innovation, infrastructure, human capital, and quality of place.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization serving Greater Des Moines. The Partnership, which includes 21 regional Affiliate Chambers of Commerce and business and economic development organizations from Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, and Warren Counties, is united to drive economic growth with one voice, one mission, and as one region.

Partnership Day on the Hill

The Partnership’s 2013 Featured Legislative Priorities include:
Simplify and reduce Iowa’s corporate and personal income tax rates to strengthen Iowa’s economic competitiveness. Today, Iowa is at a competitive disadvantage to neighboring states when its top corporate and personal income tax rates are compared with other states. In order to become a more attractive state to do business, the Partnership supports giving businesses and individuals the option of either retaining the ability to deduct federal income taxes or choosing to forego federal deductibility in exchange for a significantly reduced state income tax rate.

Preserve and strengthen of critical economic development incentives and tax credits to create and retain high quality jobs.

Bold, innovative solutions to improve Iowa’s education system to support the workforce needs of Iowa’s new economy.

Meaningful commercial and industrial property tax relief that is linked with targeted alternative revenue streams, meaningful regulatory relief, and state backfill for local governments.

For more information on the Polk City Chamber of Commerce, visit www.polkcitychamber.com. For more information on the Greater Des Moines Partnership and its 2013 Legislative Agenda, please visit http://www.desmoinesmetro.com/public-policy/policy-agendas/

Nominations are being currently being accepted for both the Polk City Business Person of the Year and Polk City Citizen of the Year.

You do not need to be a member of the Chamber to submit a nomination. These forms must be mailed or emailed to polkcitychamber@gmail.com by February 22, 2013 to be considered.

• Polk City Business Person of the Year
• Polk City Citizen of the Year

polkcitychamber@gmail.com

You can now see an online version of the insert that was included in the DSM Magazine.  You can also find them all around town!  Take a look!

Click hereto view the complete magazine online.

Having trouble? Try this link for a PDF version.

 

 

Check out the updated info on the Events Page for the 2012 Big Creek Fall Bike Ride including the route map, registration form and printable flyer.

2012 Polk City Chamber of Commerce

4-Person Best Shot Golf Tournament

Thursday June 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Tournament Club of Iowa

Polk City, IA

This event is open to the public and we welcome golfers of all skill levels.  This is a great opportunity for you to network with other chamber members and local citizens and also to support the Polk City Chamber of Commerce.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the sponsorship opportunities for your business as well.  Plan on coming out and joining in the fun on the 21^st of June.

The registration fee is $300 per team or $75 as an individual

18 Holes of Golf with Cart at TCI

Unlimited Range Access Before Round

Dinner Following Golf

Great Prizes

For registration and sponsorship forms contact:

Polk City Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 226

Polk City, Iowa 50226

polkcitychamber@gmail.com

515-984-0255

OR

Golf Outing Chair

Josh Kuha

joshkuha@tcofiowa.com

515.984.7182

www.polkcitychamber.com

You and your guests are cordially invited

Friday, February 10, 2012
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and Cash Bar
7:00 pm – Recognition Program

Tournament Club of Iowa
1000 Tradition Drive
Polk City, IA 50226

Cost: $15 per person if paid by Feb. 3rd
Please mail payment w/ registration to:
Polk City Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 226
Polk City, IA 50226
$20 per person after February 3rd

Celebrating 2011
Honoring:
Citizen of the Year
Business Person of the Year
Educator of the Year
2011 Board of Directors

Citizen of the Year

Click here for nomination form

The Chamber and its Board believe that it is important to recognize the people who have made a difference in the improvement of our community and its citizens.

Candidates will be judged on their contributions made either the past year or over the previous years that they have been active in the community and/or school district. The following qualifications will be used in the judging process:

• In what ways has this person been instrumental in making the Polk City community a better place to live?
• In what ways has this person affected the citizens of Polk City during the past year?
• Has this person contributed above and beyond paid duties, work and responsibility?
• In what ways has this person contributed their time and efforts to the overall betterment of the community? (For example, participating in activities associated with civic organizations and religious affiliations or that dealt with issues such as education, public affairs, neighborhood safety, and community concerns, etc.)

Business Person of the Year

Click here for nomination form

The Chamber and its Board believe that it is important to recognize the people who have made a difference in the improvement of our community, its citizens, and businesses.

Candidates will be judged on their contributions made either the past year or over the previous years that they have been active in the Chamber and in the improvement of the City of Polk City. Candidates for the award should meet the following criteria:

1. Be a current member of the Polk City Chamber of Commerce.
2. Be a business owner or an employee of a business that has contributed significantly to the promotion and growth of the Polk City business community.
3. Does not need to be a resident of Polk City.