BUSINESS REVIEW LITTLE APPLE
November 2017, Volume 13, Issue 11, www.manhattan.org
Members thrive from inter-region visit
Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce members were recently joined by members of the Junction City and Wamego chambers on an inter-region visit to Ames, Iowa/Omaha, Neb. The traveling entourage of 50 Flint Hills Region business associates were treated to enviable economic development initiatives in Ames, which has grown to a 66,000-population area and features an impressively robust transit system. In 40 years, CyRide transformed from a door-to-door operational system to one with 20 daily routes that since 2009 has established annual ridership records (2009: 5 million; 2016: 6.8 million). The transit system features 98 buses with $10 million operating expenses. Iowa State University students’ buy-in has enabled the bus system to thrive in its continued service to Ames and the ISU campus. The public transportation session was sponsored by BHS Construction. Another session focused on the Agriculture Research Service USDA-level lab which operates in Ames, where Dr. Marcus Kehrli directs research efforts at the National Animal Disease Center. Kehrli explained how NBAF and related Manhattan entities may leverage government relationships on each of the federal, state and city levels. Kehrli described how explicitly protocols would be followed to a high level of government standards. He specified that research scientists who move from Plum Island, N.Y., to the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility will appreciate newand-improved operational machinery.
A publication of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
Classroom to Career launches with great anticipation Forward focus on lifelong careers has not reached the conscious of most fourth-grade students. What does resonate with young school children is to determine what peaks their interests. The Classroom-to-Career partnership is a way for Manhattan Chamber members to establish a forward-focused relationship with USD 383 schoolchildren.
Through this partnership, companies can build excitement in jobspecific industries and foster a learning culture relative to careers. Classroom time builds excitement with students, and more recognition of local business to make the connections of business name, industry and what the business sells.
“You need to take pride in the fact that what is being built in Manhattan is one of the most unique facilities in the world,” Kehrli said. “It’s very meticulous work.” More sessions included: Workforce examples formed via Des Moines Area Community College classes (Manhattan Area Tech College sponsor); ISU Research Park (Queen Bee social marketing); Quality of Life panel (Hi-Tech Interiors) and Greater Omaha Economic Development partnership (Olsson Associates sponsor). Thanks to additional sponsors, which included Ames evening reception (Steel and Pipe Supply Co. and Sink, Gordon and Associates), transportation (Edward Jones) and complimentary snacks (Continental Mills, ESB Bank, K-State Communications and Marketing, Pepsi of Manhattan). Trip sponsors: Anderson Knight Architects, Bank of the Flint Hills, The Trust Company and WTC.
Top photo: McCownGordon Construction describes their business to their fourth grade class. Bottom photo: Legacy Solutions Insurance, LLC. met their fourth grade class and distributed T-shirts.