East Central Iowa News

The Oskaloosa Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mahaska County Ag and Rural Development last month merged into a single entity to promote economic health in this part of Iowa.

“One of the Mahaska Chamber’s goals for economic development—which includes not only business expansion but also tourism, workforce and housing initiatives—is to have a unified approach to all four of these areas,” Ann Frost executive director of the newly-formed Mahaska Chamber & Development Group told the East Central Iowa News.

According to Oskaloosa News, the member-based organization, directed by Frost, also works with Oskaloosa Main Street, which promotes a healthy downtown district, and Mahaska County Ag and Rural Development directed by Deann DeGroot, which serves the needs of the rural areas in Mahaska County.

The Mahaska Community Development Group has been in existence for 15 years and was organized and supported by larger businesses to promote healthy economic development.

Officials said it became apparent the two groups were competing for the same resources in terms of both dollars and volunteers.

In 2018 merger discussions began. The Mahaska Community Development Group merged with the Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group. Votes were taken in 2019, and the merger was overwhelmingly approved by both entities.

The Oskaloosa News report said a strong effort is being made to have a broad-based representation from all areas of Mahaska County. Examples of this are mandating that representatives of the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors, City of Oskaloosa, Mahaska County Ag and Rural Development and Oskaloosa Main Street board members participate so that all geographic areas of the County will be represented.

James Feudner, Regional President of Bank Iowa and the first President of the new board, told the Oskaloosa News it is exciting to see that many months of hard work by both groups have now culminated into one organization.

“It is equally exciting to be located in a part of Iowa where so many opportunities exist, and it is the Chamber’s goal to make sure we promote the Mahaska County community to make others aware of the great things happening here,” he said.

Frost said the new chamber structure of having one committee of volunteers concentrating on each area of economic development in the county will work more efficiently with community and government leaders participating as opportunities arise.