The Billboards are UP!
The 2015 ACED Billboard contest winners were WW Homestead Dairy and Fidelity Bank & Trust.  Each business designed their own billboard (with ACED approval) and then worked with the billboard company to move from design to vinyl to billboard. 

 WW Homestead Dairy chose to advertise near Cedar Rapids on US Highway 30.  WW focused on agri-tourism with plant tours and taste testing.
 

 
Fidelity Bank & Trust chose the Dubuque/Dyersville area on US Highway 20.    Fidelity focused on those looking for a 2nd home in our neck-of-the-woods. 
 

 
You will find both billboards currently on display.  Each billboard price retailed at $1500 which is paid by ACED.  This is another opportunity offered to the ACED membership. 
 
The next billboard contest will be announced in February 2016, so be ready to put your creative thinking caps on. 
 

Your next visitor ...

 ACED received a phone call from the Motorcycle Rally to be held in La Crosse on Sept. 10-13, 2015.  These riders are serious high mileage riders from all over the country that will travel within a 125 mile radius.  ACED is proud to recommend and promote our county attractions, businesses, and restaurants to this group—especially promoting our membership businesses to them.  So we encourage businesses in our area to be on the lookout for these visitors during those days and roll out the “red carpet.”  We definitely want them to come back and enjoy Allamakee County all over again.
 

 
Membership drive is here…

ACED is funded by contributions from the County and the Communities within Allamakee County, as well as, our local banks and utility companies.  The other vital source of funding is through memberships.   The membership drive kicked off on June 22 and will continue  for approximately the next 6 weeks.   

ACED is working hard to create an open door atmosphere.  Share your top priorities with us, so we can assist you.  Invite us when you have an event and let us include it in our newsletter and on our Facebook page.  Join us when we have an event, read our monthly newsletter, and “like” us on Facebook.  If you know someone who might be looking to start or expand a business, please refer him/her to ACED.  
FYI:  The annual meeting will be held in Waterville this fall.  (The annual meeting rotates through the communities in Allamakee County.)
 

Robots Galore

ACED had the opportunity to partner on a first ever summer STEM Camp for area students, grades 4-6. 

The camp focused on Robotic Olympics-A Leap into the Future and was limited to 30 students.  A grant from Northeast Iowa Business Network was responsible for initiating the idea for camp.  Other partners (ACED, Allamakee Community Connections, IEDA, IA State University Extension &Outreach, Keystone AEA, and NICC) contributed to make this camp free of charge to students. 

The camp was June 8-10 and the students learned about science, technology, engineering, and math while using robotics.  There was classroom instruction, hands on robotics, and a field to trip to NICC Dairy Center to see robots in action.  Camp concluded with a presentation from the campers to the parents and sponsors.  Special thanks to Erica of NICC for taking the lead on setting up this great event.




 

Road Trip through Allamakee County

I was so happy when I picked up my copy of the Our Iowa magazine June/July 2015 edition.  As I turned to pages 16 & 17 there was a 2-page article about Allamakee County. 

Writers, Jerry and Paula Wiebel, take a “Road Trip” and promote tourism in Iowa.  Businesses and locations mentioned in the article included Stoney Creek Inn,  Old Rossville Store, Museum of River History and Commercial Fishing, Mt. Hosmer, Horsfall’s Variety Store, Wexford Immaculate Conception Church, and Effigy Mounds National Monument.

The good news is Jerry and Paula want to rent a houseboat and visit Kitchen Krafts on their return trip.
Our Iowa magazine has 90,000 paid subscribers.


 

Motorcycles line the street in Postville

Postville business, Club 51, hosted one of the stops on the Annual Romper Motorcycle Ride held on June 20.  Business owner, Nick Polfer, was the coordinator for the event along with support from the Postville Mayor and Council Members.  Weather did hamper the number of bikers; however, an estimated 500-700 bikes roared into town and lined the Postville street.  Hats off to all of the partners: Postville School Booster Club, Postville HS Junior Class, Good Samaritan Home, and Allamakee County Cattleman.  ACED loves the opportunity to also partner in welcoming visitors to the county. 
Motorcycle groups are another great niche market for Allamakee County.  Keep your ears open and build relationships with ride coordinators.



 

Paddle the Reno Bottoms Canoe Trail

The US Fish and Wildlife Service just dropped off the NEW Reno Bottoms Canoe Trail Map at our office. 

For those who love an adventure in the backwaters via canoe or kayak, this map is for you.  An outdoor activity that is available right here in Allamakee County.  Allamakee County residents can be our best salespeople for the area. 
If you would like us to deliver maps to your business, please give us a call!


Let’s start paddling!
 

A Note from Val…

I spent the last 30 days meeting with a few of our utility companies that serve Allamakee County, as well as, some of the business owners in the county.  I attended the Enhancement Committee which focuses on county trail projects.  ACED is also a member of the 7 Rivers Region, so I met with Lisa Herr, director.  I chatted with the new director for Lansing Main Street, Craig White.  I attended the Conservation Board Meeting and Foundation meeting where the new center in Lansing was discussed.  I attended the Iowa Great River Road meeting in Guttenberg.  I visited STEM Camp and attended the NICC advisory committee meeting. 
 

New Albin Days

Hats off to the New Albin Days Committee for a successful hometown celebration on June 12 &13. 
Special thanks to NAIL (New Albin Improvement League) along with Mayor Stantic and City Council members for your involvement.

By the way, the smoked turkey sandwiches are the best!


New Albin Town Hall Museum decorated for New Albin Days 2015.