To name a few, there are 3 new businesses open on SW 9th, a new one on SE 14th and Indianola, new Mexican restaurant on SE 22nd, and increased activity at Southridge Mall. Look for a ribbon cutting early this month. We encourage your participation at these events, hope to gain a new member, and give you an opportunity to meet with the business owner (and network).

If you've kept up with what's going on with the Iowa DOT, you know that concerned citizens, Chamber members, South Side Revitalization Partnership members, and the Mall have been trying their hardest to raise awareness for a new satellite Driver's License facility at Southridge Mall. Petitions are out, a public meeting was held recently at the Mall, and I urge all of you to contact our state representatives and senators to encourage that new facility to go to Southridge Mall. Your membership directory has the listings for your legislators.

Last month's Affiliate President's Council Meeting (for Metro Chamber Presidents) was held at the Discovery Center at the Blank Park Zoo. Did you know that the Zoo is open "year round"? Did you know that a family pass for the year is only $69.00 and that they will discount that by $10.00 for Chamber members? Watch for exciting changes and additions coming for the Zoo.

Thanks to Joan Bindel and Cyndi Lorenzen for getting our first Breakfast Before Business (networking) event started. Looks like we'll schedule these for March/April/May. Our first such event is at 7:30 A.M. at US Bank (on Fleur) on March 29th. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow members, network, get leads/referrals, and spend time in a member's place of business. It's all about promoting business on the south side. I'll look for you there!

Lastly, I'm pleased to congratulate Joan Bindel on receiving the Business Record's "40 Under 40" award for this year.
Not only is she very deserving of this distinction, but is an asset to both AIB College of Business, to this Chamber of Commerce, and to the community.

Craig Krouch, President
222-2377

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Specializing in Healthcare, Commercial/Retail, and Higher Education construction, Russell has performed work in over 21 states throughout the country, and continues to grow.

Russell is committed to complete client satisfaction, which is illustrated in their quality of construction. Many long-term relationships have been established between Russell and their customers, therefore enhancing the community.

Recent projects Russell Construction has completed include: Jordan Creek Town Center, Projects at the Des Moines International Airport, Walgreens, and Anglo International.

To learn more about Russell Construction, please visit their website at www.russellco.com.

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Sgt. Joe Simon and Deputy Kathy McDole from the Polk County Sheriff's Department will be the speakers at our March membership luncheon. The topic will be "Crime Prevention".

Join us at the Wakonda Club on March 15, 2005, at 11:45 a.m. The cost is $15 with a reservation or $20 at the door. Please call Mary at 286-4996 to make a reservation.

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Join us on Tuesday, March 29, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for networking at US Bank, 4515 Fleur Drive. Bring plenty of business cards and plan to spend time sharing information about your business and learning about others!

Please RSVP to Mary Knueven at mknueven@desmoinesmetro.com or call 286-4996.

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The South Des Moines Chamber will be holding a new networking opportunity for you to participate in monthly. Maybe your schedule doesn't allow you to attend the monthly luncheons, but an early morning meeting is better!

Join us for Business B4 Breakfast on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Call Cyndi Lorenzen at the Radisson Hotel at 222-1921 to schedule a time to host this great event. Hosts will provide the location, coffee, juice, and rolls.

This will give you a great opportunity to showcase your business!

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LIGOURI AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

ZACHARY A. KOURI, DDS, PC
Zachary Kouri - Dentist
1600 Army Post Road
Des Moines, IA 50315
Telephone: 285-3267
Fax: 287-6126
E-mail: zkouri@hotmail.com
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WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER!

IF YOU KNOW OF A NEW BUSINESS IN SOUTH DES MOINES, PLEASE CONTACT A BOARD MEMBER! WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH A "WELCOME" AND RIBBON CUTTING!
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Each committee has set their goals and now needs the involvement from the members. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with more of your fellow South Des Moines Chamber members.

Following is a list of committees. Please take a few minutes to seriously consider volunteering for any of them. Just copy the Committee Preference Section below and fax to the Chamber office at 286-4974 or call the Chamber office at 286-4996 as to which committee you would prefer to assist on. If you have questions, please give me or any of the board members a call.

Thank you for your involvement. I look forward to working with you for the betterment of South Des Moines!

Craig Krouch, President
222-2377

Governmental Affairs
___Local
___State
___Federal

Community Development/Small Business
___Fleur Gateway
___Southside Revitalization

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Scott Dockstetter, Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) speaking on the HIGHWAY 5 SIGNAGE.

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Joan is the Vice President for Enrollment and Advancement at AIB College of Business. She has been with AIB for nearly 12 years and manages a team of 16 individuals. Her responsibilities include overseeing the areas of admissions, marketing, financial aid, alumni and development.

In addition, she has been very active in the community including serving as the 2004 President of the South Des Moines Chamber. She volunteers for a variety of community events and committees and is serving on an Economic Development Task Force Committee to review the Polk County Comprehensive Plan.

Joan, along with the other 39 recipients, will be honored at a reception on Tuesday, March 15, at 4:30 p.m. at The Plex. The program will begin at 5:15 p.m. with time for networking, cash bar, and hors d'oeuvres after the event. Those who wish to attend should register online at www.businessrecord.com under BR Events.

CONGRATULATIONS-JOAN!

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"The Greater Des Moines business community has eagerly awaited the return of a non-stop flight between our state capital and our nation's capital," said Martha Willits, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. "Accessibility to Washington, D.C. as well as other major metros across the country, is imperative to our continued economic growth and we are excited to take advantage of this opportunity."

The Partnership's Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Jay Byers, joined the inaugural flight to confirm details for the Partnership's annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. scheduled for June 8-10, 2005.

"This flight is extremely important for the Greater Des Moines business community," added Byers. "Senator Grassley, Senator Harkin, Congressman Latham and Congressman Boswell are to be commended for their efforts in helping re-establish direct air service to D.C." The Partnership will also utilize Northwest Airlines for its charter flight to D.C. for the June lobbying trip.

For more information, please contact Roy Criss or Gary Hagan with the Des Moines International Airport at 515-256-5093 or Tricia Garton, Marketing and Media Director for the Partnership, at (515) 286-4947 or tgarton@desmoinesmetro.com.

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Prairie Meadows is located in Altoona, Iowa. It is operated by a nonprofit board and returns all profits from horse racing and casino gaming to the community. In 2004, nearly $2 million was awarded in community betterment grants to area organizations, schools, churches and other nonprofit groups serving Central Iowa.

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It stretches more than 60 square miles and contains more zoned retail space than any other area in the state.

Residential housing developments are booming and so is the growth of commercial businesses.

South Des Moines features beautiful parks, trails, lakes, the airport, the zoo, recreation and soccer fields, shopping, fantastic dining and entertainment, fabulous hotels, and wonderful educational institutions.

Can you think of dozens of other features of South Des Moines?

Are you interested in learning about the development of the South Side?

Then join the Vision Committee in working to create a development guide and detailed map for South Des Moines. Call Joan Bindel (246-5390) or Craig Krouch (222-2377) today!

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By the end of the first year of the Buy Into the Circle Campaign, 301 companies pledged to shift their buying locally!

Bank of America, Iowa Cold Storage, Iowa-Des Moines Supply, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Mid America Group, Power & Telephone Supply, Principal Financial Group, Storey Kenworthy and Suites of 800 Locust have all contributed to a reported shift of over $6.3 million back to our local economy!

Learn more about the Buy Into the Circle program at www.desmoinesmetro.com .

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A small black leather binder with "Des Moines Partnership" on it was left behind at the February Membership Meeting at the Wakonda Club.

The binder contains a yellow notepad with handwritten notes. If this is your binder, contact Joan Bindel at bindelj@aib.edu or at 246-5390.

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The South Side Revitalization Partnership (SSRP), in coordination with the City of Des Moines and others, intends to develop a land use and economic development strategy to revitalize SE 14th Street and Army Post Road The project is designed to increase retail, tax base, jobs and assist in enhancing the attractiveness of sites. We interveiwed last Friday 3 chosen consultants for a bid to perform professional services. We selected a local firm RDG. They provided in its presentation a solid historical background of the 2 corridors, relevant project experience and a solid base of questions and ideas showing an understanding of what is expected.

THE CHALLENGE

The project involves a 7 mile strip of land with a budget of $50,000. Half of the funds came from the efforts of Tom Akers pushing existing businesses to kick in to this effort and the remaining ½ was a match from the City of Des Moines. Ellie Walkoviack from the City of DM Economic Development has been instrumental in the design and layout of this Gateway Project.

RDG will begin it efforts right away. A couple of Focus Meetings will be in line where interested parties (citizens, business owners, elected officials) will generate ideas in an open format meeting. We have a number of starting ideas but need more!
Please contact David Harkin CFP, CLU at 974-8528 or Mrs. Jo Corliagno 243-7738 or joc2611@aol.com with further questions and how to become involved in the betterment of the South Side.

David Harkin CFP, CLU at 974-8528

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Finalists were chosen based on their commitment and ability to protect and restore cultural treasures with an innovative and effective approach. Hampton will receive a cash prize of $20,000, which it plans to use toward renovating or refurbishing a future landmark project. Hampton will let the public vote on its next landmark refurbishment project via an online poll hosted on www.hamptonlandmarks.com . They encourage everyone to submit details on local treasures in need to its Save-A-Landmark program; submission can be submitted online by clicking the Save-A-Landmark icon at www.hamptonlandmarks.com.

Hampton is part of Hilton Hotels Corporation, which develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,200 hotels, resorts, and vacation ownership properties.

CONGRATULATIONS = HAMPTON INN!

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Executive Board