The unveiling of the project, "Camp High Hopes"
A year round camp to serve children and adults with disabilities for the tri-state community is just around the corner….
Click on the link to hear Chris McGowan from the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce talk about this life changing camp headed our way!
Posted in General info
At the Siouxland Chamber we are thankful for many things. Please feel free to comment on this post and let us know what you are thankful for in Siouxland.
We are thankful that we have a workplace that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
That we live in a community with low crime and there is trust in our neighbors.
We are thankful that our commute time is short and being ”stuck in traffic” is a rarity.
Quality of life is important in Siouxland and we are thankful for the plentiful activities, concerts, sports events, and events that are held in our tri-state area.
We are thankful that we live in a country where we can have open dialogue with our legislators and express our opinions and beliefs. We have the opportunity to make a difference.
Throughout the area our business leaders, owners and employees show their support for community by donating their time and resources to worthy causes. For this we are thankful.
We are thankful that we have a fabulous view of the Mighty Missouri River in Siouxland.
We are thankful for the change of seasons and variety of temperatures in the Midwest. There is always a chance that you will get a warm day in the middle of winter!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce!
Posted in Uncategorized
Our organization knows that a quality healthcare system ranks as one of the top priorities for locating a business. And as an economic multiplier it is important to note that for every healthcare worker hired in a community, four additional people are employed.
In Siouxland, our employers are burdened by year after year increasing healthcare costs. In fact, many of our small businesses must weigh the rather unpalatable choices of reducing their workforce, reducing employee benefits, passing increasing health insurance costs on to their employees or even canceling insurance coverage in order to remain viable.
Numerous factors influence this trend including complex state/federal insurance regulatory barriers, medical and prescription medication inflation, the leveraging effect of fixed deductibles and co-payments, cost shifting utilization, the availability and use of more expensive drugs and new technologies and government mandated benefits and their impact on the intensity of care.
With the aging of our local population, growing number of working uninsured and an overall increase in the number of people lacking health insurance, the situation in Siouxland has grown from disconcerting to critical.
The task before our nation remains to bring much-needed reform and, ultimately, relief to our businesses and citizens. We realize this will be a difficult and demanding process requiring innovative and collaborative approaches. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, our Chamber of Commerce brought together a coalition of community health care providers, business leaders, and governmental partners to develop a comprehensive approach to address both escalating health insurance costs and improved access to affordable healthcare in Siouxland.
Here are a few of the strategies we outlined that capture the collective tactics of comprehensive healthcare reform.
We also offer a note of caution to our elected officials…focus the government’s role exclusively on things that only the government can do… such as protect the poor, cover us against true catastrophe, enforce safety standards and insure provider competition.
Thank you for this opportunity to raise the level of understanding of this complex issue.
Sincerely,
Debi Durham- President, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Posted in Uncategorized
Just this last week I have had the hardest time not letting the little, irritable things in life get me down.
Usually, it’s just a symptom of something bigger that’s weighing on you. We 
all have it, whether it’s family, work, a big project or for me graduation in two weeks!
This morning I came across this little story that helped re-energize, re-fresh, and re-new and I hope it will do the same for you…..
The Law Of The Garbage Truck
How often do you let other people’s nonsense change your mood?
“Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you’re the Terminator, for an instant, you’re probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she/he can get back her/his focus on what’s important.
Five years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a taxicab in Indianapolis. Here’s what happened:
I hopped in a taxi and we took off for Indianapolis Airport. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches!
The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And, I mean, he was friendly.
So, I said, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’ And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’
“Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You’ll be happy you did.”
So this was it: The ‘Law of the Garbage Truck.’ I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets?
It was that day I said, ‘I’m not going to do it anymore.’
I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie ‘The Sixth Sense,’ the little boy said, ‘I see Dead People.’ Well, now ‘I see Garbage Trucks.’ I see the load they’re carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my taxi driver, I don’t make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best, for the people they care about.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.
What about you?
What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?
You’ll be happier.
Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, TAKE IT! If it changes your life, LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it!”
— Author Unknown
— Submitted by Martin Habalewsky — Michigan
Posted in General info
About two weeks ago, as we were rigorously working down at the Chamber, we noticed a cat prancing around outside the windows.
We thought nothing of it, until all of the sudden four kittens followed…
Instantly, the women in the office hearts melted and we have been searching for someone to give them a home ever since. As you will see in the video they are lovable, playful kittens in the need of a home.
Barbara Sloniker and Teresa Rosenboom occupy the offices where the kittens can be seen playing. As of late, they have noticed something…
One of the kittens has disappeared. 
This only tells us that time is of the essence, so if anyone would love three adorable kittens and a mother please come down to the Chamber and give them a home.
The one thing that brings people together of all cultures, backgrounds and geographic regions is food. Ask anyone from New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia or San Fransisco and they will rattle off their local speciality or regional favorite. The Sioux City metro is no different. Whether you are a fan of La Juanita’s spicy carrots or can’t get enough of Townhouse pizzas & wings, we have many restaurants that many Siouxlander’s consider a local secret. They are the type of places college students “have” to visit when back in town. They bring back memories, not only of the food, but of conversations that were shared around an El Fredo’s Pizza or a Green Gables Sunday.
Although many of our favorites are those places that are well established, its good to know that there are new eateries that just might be the next local “secret”.
A selection of pastries from Natalia's Bakery, 2025 Court St. Sioux City
Today I visited Natalia’s Bakery and Restaurant located on 2025 Court Street in Sioux City. Upon entering the store, one encounters a wall of breads, pastries and cookies. A pleasant treat to the senses enough to make any carb-a-holic melt from the sweet aroma! They also have a restaurant specializing in Latin American & Mexican food adjacent to the bakery. If the sweet temptations alone don’t bring you in, its great to know that the owners, Alfredo & Natalia, are kind and welcoming and will be happy to share the different varieties of pastries. More importantly, they will help with the most difficult question of all. Which ones to choose!
-Beth Trejo, Director of Investor Relations, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Posted in Chamber Members
Tagged bakery, court st, food, local favorites, natalias, restaurant
Last year’s Northern Hills’ activity director, Lynn Fleckenstein, found herself scrambling to include every possible activity in their annual week-long celebration, National Assisted Living Week.
A week that included a pep rally, Northern Hills’ own King & Queen, a tailgate party, wagon rides, and door prizes….just to name a few. All the events started off on September 7th and then had about three to four activities a day that were centered around the love for dance, music, nature, varied cultures, food, animals, state, and country.
On top of that, the residents received a special visit from Congressman Steve King. Northern Hills and the local chapter of the AARP sponsored the reception and the residents signed the “Divided We Fail” pledge and got to visit with the Congressman.
These great events in this action packed week didn’t go with out national recognition. Fleckenstein, and the staff at Northern Hills received the National Assisted Living Week Programming Award. The spotlight came from the National Center for Assisted Living and the American Health Care Association in “Provider” magazine.
Congratulations to Northern Hills on this special award and we are proud to have them here in Siouxland with all of the great things they do for their residents and the community. 
Ian Banks, Social Media Intern
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged AARP, Activity Director, AHCA, Congressman, National Assisted Living Week, NCAL, Northern Hills, September, Steve King
’101 Ways to Take Advantage of the Chamber’ is back and in full force on this drizzling, mid-November day.
Before we jump into another ten ways you can benefit from our services we should give a shout to the Heelan Crusaders volleyball team as they just beat Marion to go to the state championship tomorrow! Good Luck!
And now….drum roll please….101 Ways!
71) Promote the Area!- To gain quality of life and a flourishing economy the Chamber of Commerce finds it vital to promote the Siouxland area events and help get involved with them. Some of the events coming up just around the corner are “Downtown for the Holidays” and the NAIA Volleyball National Championship.
72) Make the link- Become a Chamber member today and get instant access to thousands of potential customers and clients.
73) Contact Executive Vice President Chris McGowan- If you’re a
Executive Vice President of TSI Chris McGowan
Chamber member and you want to grow your business contact Chris! He specializes in expansion retention for our members and recruitment of new businesses to our area.
74) Dakota Valley Business Council- In affiliation with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, a collaboration has formed to compartmentalize areas to focus on economic development in our different area codes.
75) Workforce development- Quality of life initiatives can’t be enjoyed unless the citizens of Siouxland have stable, well-paid jobs. The Chamber of Commerce works rigourously to bring jobs to Siouxland. Every two years a Labor Shed analysis is conducted to address underemployment, check the current availability of current and prospective workers, desired occupations, wages, hours worked, and distance willing to commute to work. These statistics help us to aide the community in “scractching where it itches.”
76) Business Retention- The Siouxland Initiative conducted fifty in depth interviews with companies that ship goods out of the area and bring revenue back in. TSI did this to gauge what the primary obstacles were in Siouxland that were limiting their growth so we can see what we can do better to promote growth.
77) Positively Siouxland- Chris Mcgowan every week delivers a special segment titled, “Positively Siouxland” that airs on this blog and 1360 KSCJ. The audio usually consists of some great events going on here in Siouxland, an inspiring story, a current event etc. Check the blog here for more in the upcoming weeks!
78) Organic Initiatives- Recognized as one of the leading communities in the country for our commitment to the organic food industry, we invite you to consider the City of Sioux City and Woodbury County in Iowa as your home for all things organic. Follow the link and watch our video on the organic industry in Siouxland!
79) Inter-business-net- The business economy has changed to a virtual playing field where states have to accomodate professionals in providing access for the global martketplace. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce understands this important aspect and has pushed for accessibility in Siouxland for multiple providers and a technology friendly environment.
80) Siouxland Washington Conference and Steak Dinner- Instead of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” this is the “Siouxland Chamber goes to Washington.” They come to Washington with around 75 people strong to lobby aggressively for pro-business issues, including legislation to break down artificial barriers between our communities created by state lines. For 56 years they have been traveling to Washington meeting with our representatives on behalf of the Siouxland community.
Well, thats all for now Siouxland have a great weekend!
-Ian Banks, Social Media Intern
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged BPI, Chris McGowan, crusaders, heelan, labor, organic, positively Siouxland, shed, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, steak dinners, washington, workforce
A little inspiration for your day.
I recently came across this video of my friend and NFL Buffalo Bill Star Fred Jackson talking about his road to the NFL. I attended Coe College (go KoHawks!) with Fred and became friends with him and his wife Danielle (one of the first people I met at college) during my time at Coe.
As a former Sioux City Bandits and Division III player, many thought that Fred could not play in the NFL. It was his desire to beat the odds that makes him an inspiration and testament to what one can accomplish with perseverance. Whether you are starting a business, or working hard to keep yourself in the black, remember the power of a goal and positive state of mind. Apply this practice to both your personal and professional life and you can make things happen.
Beth Trejo, Director of Investor Relations, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Posted in Uncategorized
Schools all over Siouxland face barriers raising money for educational programs, new school equipment, bands, sports teams and school clubs. Red Robin here in Siouxland has come up with a plan where they can help relieve that burden and break down those barriers.
Schedule an “In-Restaurant Fundraiser!”
If you don’t want to rely solely on raffles, selling candy, or auctions you can come down to Red Robin and have an in-restaurant fundraiser. Through this fundraiser a percent of the proceeds will be donated to your school.
If this sounds like a “slam dunk” of an idea to you this is what your school will have to do…
Don’t worry, you won’t have to go it alone, Red Robin will….
Student Rewards:
Apart from the in-restaurant fundraiser, Red Robin aides in commending students all over Siouxland for their excellence with school related activities. Furthermore, they provide certificates of excellence that can be given to students monthly or quarterly by a teacher and/or staff members for achievements. These certificates of excellence will recognize students who have performed notable academic achievement, perfect attendance, good citizenship, acts of kindness, good sportsmanship, club participation, and music and arts excellence.
Once the student has that certificate of excellence they can come on down to the Red Robin here in Siouxland and receive a free kids meal if they are 10 years or younger. Now if they are 10 years or older they can be granted a free Monster Milskhake!
Having trouble getting kids excited to read?
Red Robin has also came up with a program to give kids an incentive to read. 
Red, the Red Robin mascot, can visit your school upon request and will provide “Reading with Red” certificates to encourage our youth to read. The program will require a student to read 10 books and then list those books on the certificate they receive. If they do that their completed certificates will be good for a free kids meal for students 10 years and younger.
Those three great neighborhood programs by Red Robin are all great incentives to promote reading, extra-curricular activities and overall excellence in and out of the classroom.
If this has sparked your interest please contact Steve Hill at Red Robin by calling (712) 266-8505 and if you would like to go in and talk you can find Red Robin on 4900 Sergeant Road here in Siouxland.
Have a great day Siouxlanders!
-Ian Banks, Social Media Intern
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Bands, equipment, excellence, fundraiser, general manager, incentives, Red, Red Robin, Siouxland, sports teams
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