business CONNECTION
Terry Christensen PUBLISHER tchristensen@messengernews.net
Bill Shea EDITOR bshea@messengernews.net
Leanne Darr MARKETING DIRECTOR ldarr@messengernews.net
Jody Kayser SALES MANAGER jkayser@messengernews.net
ADDRESS: PHONE: 713 Central Ave. (515) 573-2141 Fort Dodge, IA 50501 FAX: (515) 571-4529
Fort Dodge BUSINESS CONNECTION is published monthly by The Messenger in cooperation with The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2025. Reproduction in part or in whole without the expressed written permission of Fort Dodge BUSINESS CONNECTION is strictly prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by return postage. Fort Dodge BUSINESS CONNECTION is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, artwork or manuscripts. The opinions expressed in editorial material are not necessarily the opinions of Fort Dodge Business Connection.
City Connect
City Services a Text Away in Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge residents have a convenient way to reach city information and services – all by sending a simple text message. TextMyGov is an easy, 24/7 communication tool that allows residents to report issues, ask questions, and get information straight from their phones.
report a pothole, or want to know if you can keep backyard chickens, all you have to do is text. “It’s simple to use and more cost-effective than our previous app,” said Communications Manager Amanda Holmes. “It saves the City and residents time and frustration and uses something we all already have—a cell phone.”
Using a system that doesn’t require downloading an app or navigating complicated menus, TextMyGov makes it easier than ever for residents to access the information they need, when they need it. Whether you’re standing on your porch with a question about yard waste or at work trying to remember when the next city council meeting is, help is only a few taps away.
What Is TextMyGov?
TextMyGov is a smart texting service that helps residents connect with city departments. It recognizes keywords in messages and responds with answers, links, or prompts to collect more information.
The system runs 24/7, so you don’t have to wait for City Hall to open to get help. Ifsponse for future use, so it’s always improving.
It’s especially helpful for residents who may not be comfortable navigating a city website or who prefer texting over making phone calls, making it accessible for all ages and tech comfort levels.
How to Use It
1. Save the Number: Add (515) 408-9888 to your contacts as “TextMyGov Fort Dodge.”
2. Text “Hi”: Start a conversation by texting “Hi” or any keyword.
3. Type Your Request: Use keywords like “POTHOLE,” “GARBAGE,” or “YARD WASTE.”
4. Follow Prompts: The system may ask follow-up questions or request a photo.
5. Get Results:
No apps to download, no hold time, just a text conversation with your city.
WHAT YOU CAN DO Report Issues:
Text “POTHOLE,” “STREET LIGHT,” or “SIDEWALK” to report a problem. You’ll be asked for a location and can send a photo. Your report is immediately directed to the appropriate department.
Request Services:
Text “YARD WASTE” or “JUNK” to request pickups. The system will walk you through it step-by-step, asking for your address and what needs to be collected..
Find Information:
Wondering about garbage day? Text “GARBAGE” or “TRASH.” Want to know when the pool opens? Text “POOL.” You can also get info on city council meetings, permits, burning rules, and more by texting the right keyword.
Receive Alerts:
Want to stay in the loop? Text “FORTDODGE” to 91896 to sign up for alerts. You can also text “FDCOMSNOW” for information on commercial snow routes or “FDRESSNOW” for information on residential snow routes. Subscribing to alerts ensures you won’t miss emergency notices, event updates, or road closures—making it a valuable tool year-round.
Why Use TextMyGov?
Convenience: Ask a question or report an issue in seconds, from anywhere.
Always Available: Get info or send reports any time—no of-
Accurate Info: Responses come directly from the city or link
Private: Your messages are one-on-one, not shared on a public forum.
Helps Everyone: Using TextMyGov saves time for both you and city staff.
Real-Time Alerts: Stay informed of snow bans, water service updates, and more.
Plus, it empowers residents to take an active role in improving their community. When you report an issue or request a service, you’re helping the City respond faster and more effectively. And because it’s a texting platform, you don’t need to download or learn new technology—just use the phone you already have.
Try It Today
Have a question or need to report an issue? Just text “Hi” to (515) 408-9888 and see how easy it is to get what you need.
For alerts, text FORTDODGE to 91896. Stay connected with updates on city events, emergencies, and more. With TextMyGov, city services are just a text away – easy, fast, and always on.
Meet the Class of 2025
607 students walked the stage on Friday, May 9, 2025 marking Iowa Central Community College’s 58th Commencement as its largest to date.
20 Countries represented
32 States represented
76 Counties in Iowa
14 Veterans/Active Duty Military
177 First-Generation Students
17 years old - Youngest student
55 years old - Oldest student The
artiststar
Emilee Johnson
Age: 27 • Hometown: Eagle Grove
Instrument: Vocalist & Acoustic Guitar
How long have you been performing?
I have been performing professionally for about 11 years.
What do you enjoy about performing?
The thing I love most about performing is connecting with the audience. There’s something about singing a lyric to someone and seeing them physically respond.
What’s the most challenging thing about performing live?
The most challenging thing about performing live is getting out of your own head. It can be debilitating if you’re not careful. If you’re having a bad day it doesn’t matter, the show isn’t about you. It’s about creating an experience for your audience.
What are some of your most memorable gigs?
The most memorable gig I’ve had is a couple of summers ago when my band and I were able to travel out to Mammoth Lake California a couple days after the 4th of July. The feeling of having 3,000 people dancing and enjoying themselves to your music is something I will chase forever!
How would you describe your sound?
As the Wicked Things I would describe our sound as black dirt country. It’s a mix of red dirt, Oklahoma sound but with our Midwest experiences. We’re country but with an edge. Personally, I don’t feel like I have a certain style, I’m just singing from the heart.
When not making music, how do you like to spend your time?
When I’m not making music I like to
I especially love to “try” to play golf and settle in with a good book!
Were you involved in music/arts growing up? If so, in what ways?
I grew up in music. I sang with my two sisters and mother ever since I could form words. We would perform in church any time my mom said we should and I joined the church worship band as soon as I learned to play bass. When I turned 16 my sister Alyssa Allbee joined a local band called Salty View and she asked me to come to a practice. As soon as I walked into the
practice room I knew I wanted to be a part of whatever was going on. Thank god my mom and dad allowed me to follow my dream because otherwise I would have been sneaking out and performing no matter what!
You can have dinner with anyone - famous or not, alive or dead, who do you choose and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone, living, dead, celebrity or not, I’d have dinner with my Uncle Jackie and Dolly Parton. I can only imagine the abs I’d have after that conversation! My Uncle Jackie was very wise in his own way, and Dolly is, well, Dolly!
What, or who, inspires you?
I’m not sure if it’s one thing or a whole conglomerate of things that inspire me, I just keep going because I’m chasing a dream. I’ve always wanted to perform and play music. I’m getting my chance now and someone will have to pry my guitar out of my cold, dead hands before I stop making music.
To
by
shiningstar
Jonah Carlson
Age: 17
Grade/School: Junior at St. Edmond High School
Hometown: Fort Dodge
Tell us about some of the cultural experiences you have had growing up in Fort Dodge.
I would say one of my favorite things about Fort Dodge is how genuinely nice everyone is. The culture in Fort Dodge is unlike any other town I’ve ever visited. Everyone has such genuine care for one another and people want to be nice to one another, and it rarely feels fake.
What
is your earliest memory performing?
My earliest performance memory comes from about 8 years ago when I was in Aladdin Jr. I was a very shy kid and remember standing up for my audition and completely freezing. It was honestly a lot of fun and allowed me to make a lot of friends that I still talk to today!
What do you most enjoy about performing?
My favorite part of performing is how easily it can bring a community together. Getting to look out at the audience and see so many new and familiar faces, and how many people come together to experience a beloved musical.
Sponsored
What did you most enjoy about playing Danny Zuko in St. Edmond’s School production of Grease?
My favorite part was the rehearsals. Our directors, Melissa Hindt and Kylee Hayek, always made every single rehearsal memorable. They both had so much energy and made the entire experience and production so much fun.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What 3 things do you bring?
Some type of tool, like an ax.
And lastly a camera so I can record my experiences, that way they’ll make a documentary about me some day when they recover the footage.
What do you want to do after high school?
Right now, I want to go study political science at a school and eventually become a lawyer.
Who are some of your role models?
For sure my parents. They have demonstrated so many characteristics that I want to replicate every day. They have taught me so many important life lessons, and I really hope that someday I can turn out just like them.
What other activities do you participate in at St. Ed’s?
I am on the cross country and track team, in all of our choirs, and am currently the class president!
Walk us through a typical day in the life of Jonah Carlson.
Normally, I try and wake up around 6:30, but that doesn’t normally happen. I do like to get to school a little bit earlier, because my dad has always drilled my siblings and I about being places on time. Once school is over, I normally have some kind of practice to go to, and if I’m not in a season, I try and get in some type of workout. After that, I like to get my homework done before I do anything else, because it honestly makes me anxious to have a lot of work and little time. It is a pretty uneventful day normally, but it works!
Great Father’s Day Gift
Briggs Woods Golf Course
Cedar Pointe Golf Course
Don Williams Golf Course
Eagle Grove Golf Course
Lake City Country Club
Webster City
Boone
Ogden
Eagle Grove
Lake City
Lakeside Municipal Golf Course Fort Dodge
Lincoln Valley Golf Course
Manson Golf & Country Club
Newell Golf Course
Oak Park Golf & Recreation
Oak Ridge Golf Course
Oakwood Golf Course
Pine Lake Country Club
River Road Golf Club
Rolfe Golf Club
State Center
Manson
Newell
Dayton
Goldfield
Conrad
Eldora
Algona
Rolfe
Sac Country Club
Spencer Municipal Golf
Tama-Toledo Country Club
Twin Lakes Golf Course
Wandering Creek Golf Course
Sac City
Spencer
Tama
Rockwell City
Marshalltown
Fort Dodge Community Foundation and UNITED WAY
THE POWER IN GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Throughout our lives, from childhood to adulthood, community is an essential part of everyday existence. Sometimes we don’t see or fully understand its impact, and sometimes we may think it is irrelevant. But for both rural towns and larger cities, community is vital in ways we can’t imagine.
No matter where we grew up, it is almost certain that, in some way, your community contributed positively to your formative years. This is why it is so important to return these favors, and to give back, even in small ways.
There are many ways of contributing to your community. Giving back doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, a large donation, or a big show of gratitude. In fact, it is often the small things that can make a big difference. The easiest and most simple way of contributing to your community is through your generosity and willingness to help others less fortunate. Whether donating to your favorite charities or causes or volunteering in ways that help others, contributing to your community is both rewarding and enriching.
“Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Giving back may be one of the most important principles in life. Those who are givers often receive the rewards of giving in many ways other than just financial gain.
It is written that the poor will always be among us, but in recent times these disparities have grown significantly. Today, the importance of giving back has been magnified. Nonprofits and community organizations are feeling the strain of increased demand for services from those in need while funding for many has begun to dry up.
“The best exercise for your heart is reaching down to lift someone up.”
Rev. Billy Graham
By doing good you feel good, and when you feel good, you inspire others around you to take positive action in their lives too.
By contributing to a cause, you are helping your community become a better place. The donation of your money or time can increase your impact by encouraging your friends, family, colleagues, and networks to give as well. Your community is only as strong as the people within it. The more support that can be provided, the better our community will be.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
Coretta Scott King
RANDY KUHLMAN
C.E.O FORT DODGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND UNITED WAY
Thriving communities are those that have engaged citizens who get involved and give back to their community. By investing in their community, they enhance the quality of life for themselves, their family, their neighbors and fellow citizens. The communities that are on the decline are those in which citizens are apathetic, unengaged and uninterested in supporting vital projects and organizations in their community.
The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for charitable giving to help our community become a more vital place to live; a community where people will want to live, work, play and raise their families.
There are various ways you can give back through the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way. You can:
• Give to the United Way campaign to help less fortunate and underprivileged families and children that are struggling to meet the most basic living needs.
• Give to funds that are already established in support of trail systems, parks, education, recreation, environmental and beautification projects, community safety initiatives and even your church.
• Set up your own charitable fund and use it as a convenient tool for managing your charitable giving.
No matter how you give, by using the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way as your charitable giving vehicle, your donations are tax deductible, and some donations can even qualify you for receiving state of Iowa tax credits.
For more information on how the Fort Dodge Community Foundation can help you give back to your community in meaningful ways, contact our office by calling 515-573-3171, or stop in and visit with us. Our office is located at 24 North 9th Street in downtown Fort Dodge.
Edward Jones Financial Focus
Marriage is more than a ceremony — it’s a and your partner are honest with each other build trust, leverage your strengths and help after.
begin with conversations not so much about money itself but about the things that matter priorities and a good way to see if you’re on the same page, or how far apart you might be.
Here are a few conversation starters.
Make a list of short- and long-term goals — from buying a house to retiring early. Do you want children? Will one of you change careers or go back to school? See where your lists overlap and where some goals may be more important to one partner.
to grow your family, would one of you like to stop working or reduce your hours to provide child care? If more schooling is a priority, what kinds of changes might that require?
Share your feelings about money. How did your family treat money while you were growing up? What does money mean to you
— security, freedom, stress or something else? Are you both spenders or savers, or is there one of each?
Before your big day, or early in your marriage,
Discuss each partner’s assets and debts and how, or if, you’ll combine them. There’s no one right answer — the key is for you both to agree. In nine community property states, all assets and debts are shared 50/50 after marriage regardless of individual or joint
account status. Check to see whether yours is one of them.
Align on your budget and spending. This can empower you to spend within your means
Determine who will handle the various tasks of managing money. Who is responsible for
like major purchases — a car, perhaps, or a major household appliance?
Once you’re married, there are a few things to address right away. You may want to consult help avoid pitfalls and identify opportunities.
usually have a 30-day special enrollment such as health and life insurance.
WHAT COMES
Adjust the W-4 tax withholding on your status makes sense for you.
Insurance policies. Combine and update each other to auto insurance policies if you drive each other’s cars.
Estate documents. Now with a family, prepare for the unexpected. Create or update a health care powers of attorney, and you may want to explore whether a revocable trust is appropriate.
Getting married is perhaps one of the most exciting times of your life. As you commit to a lifetime together, make sure that includes
them periodically, you can help set yourselves stability and freedom.
We are now inviting golfers from these counties to join the great golf and fun!
hamilton_webster_greene_boone_story_calhoun_wright_humboldt_pocahontas 07.12-13.25
Did you know GreenState is consistently ranked in the Top 1% Nationally for returning profits with better rates & lower fees? That means one of the Top financial institutions in the country, is here in Fort Dodge.
