Business

There’s a new aroma wafting from the popcorn room at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, and an old association helping the entrepreneurs continue their success. The members of the entrepreneurship class who have been continuing the Vinton Popcorn Project will soon start selling caramel-flavored popcorn. Advisor Aric Chavala and the students have been working on the project for several weeks, and hope to begin selling it in local stores and on-line in early February.

Applications are now available for the 7th Annual Boom-Fest celebration held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Boomtown fireworks show. Boom-Fest is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10am to 3pm. We are once again looking for arts & crafts, farmers market, antique, repurposed treasures and food vendors to set up on 4th Street.

Benton Development Group, Vinton Unlimited and Belle Plaine Community Development have partnered with the Small Business Development Center to bring a series of engaging educational opportunities to Benton County for our small business community.   The series will be made up of 9 sessions that focus on getting, keeping and growing customer bases.

While there is no official update from the Shopko company on the planned opening of the store in Vinton, work is under way at the former Alco building. Painters have been working inside, applying a layer of green to the interior walls. In addition, the Iowa Workforce Development job web site has an opening for Customer Service Teammates. Click HERE to see that job listing.

The Benton County Community Foundation has introduced a new logo. The Benton County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), and the new look is part of CFNEIA’s release of its new brand and redesigned website.  “As we looked at updating our logo and brand, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa wanted to make sure the new look helped our affiliate community foundations raise awareness in their local communities,” said Jake Byers, CFNEIA Director of Marketing and Communications.

Benton Development Group will hold their monthly Board of Directors meeting on January 27th at 7:00pm at the Van Horne Community Center and you are encouraged to attend. During this gathering, members will hold an election of officers for President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Each officer is elected for one calendar year. Those in attendance will also be setting action priorities for 2016.

The ‘Holiday Lights’ punch card promotion has officially wrapped up! During our promotion, almost 1,300 completed cards were turned in! That’s a lot of folks shopping local if you ask me! We look forward to bringing you this promotion again for the 2016 holiday season but in the meantime please toss any cards you may have left over.

As we reflect on 2015, Benton Development Group is able to reminisce on the  progress and preparation for future growth that has been established this past year. As our group continues to grow and assist our communities and businesses in unique ways, we find each project has its own set of trials and tribulations.  In 2015, we were able to use our strategic partnerships and dedication to our businesses to tackle issues head on to ensure success for our communities, businesses and our organization.

Get DOUBLE PUNCHES on your ‘holiday lights’ punch card this weekend! Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20. It is the PERFECT opportunity to wrap up your holiday shopping in Vinton! The ‘holiday lights’ punch card promotion ends on December 24. Receive one punch for every $10 spent at participating businesses.

CONGRATULATIONS to Joyce Kenney on being our week three winner for the ‘holiday lights’ punch card! Joyce has won $50 Vinton Value Dollars. Make sure to get out there and keep shopping! Each full card is one ticket into the weekly drawings! Look for more winners to be announced each week&n