April 29, 2024

COLUMN: Creston Chamber of Commerce for April

2024 Paint Creston Program

The Creston Chamber of Commerce, Image Enhancement Committee will again be offering paint and painting supplies through the Paint Creston Program to a minimum of three Creston owner occupied homes in 2024. Thank you to First National Bank in Creston and an anonymous donor for providing part of the funding to allow us to continue this program.

In order to be considered for the program, the home needs to be owner occupied, in the city limits of Creston and the homeowner must have the ability to get the home painted by Oct. 16, 2024. The painting of the home needs to be done by the homeowner, family and friends of the homeowner or organizations that the homeowner is involved.

Each interested homeowner needs to complete an application which will be available beginning April 15 at the Chamber Office or online at www.crestoniowachamber.com or the Chamber Facebook Page or X (Twitter). The completed application must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on May 8 to the Chamber Office, 208 West Taylor Street, Creston, IA. The mailing address is PO Box 471, Creston, IA, 50801 and the Chamber email address is chamber@crestoniowachamber.com. Each application will be reviewed and the homeowners will be contacted by May 21 if their home will receive paint and supplies.

For questions please contact the Chamber Office at 641-782-7021 or email us.

Chamber Annual Report

The Creston Chamber of Commerce Annual Report is coming. Please look for it in the April 24 Creston News Advertiser. This report gives the Chamber the opportunity to highlight our activities, accomplishments and most importantly our membership. The Chamber truly appreciates the commitment to Creston of our members and looks forward to this yearly opportunity to acknowledge each and everyone. The Chamber understands their importance to our great community. Our Chamber Membership helps us to promote and showcase Creston. We are very fortunate.

Creston Clean Sweep Days To Return

The Creston Chamber of Commerce, the City of Creston and Prairie Solid Waste are again sponsoring Cleans Sweep Days April 29 through May 10. By stopping by the Chamber Office or Creston City Hall or downloading the paperwork at www.crestoniowachamber.com or www.crestoniowa.gov and filling out the paperwork, your items will be taken away for free in some cases or for a small fee by the city crews. This is a great inexpensive way to get rid of unwanted appliances and other household items.

For more information please contact the Chamber at 641-782-7021 or City Hall at 641-782-2000 ext. 203.

Volunteers are Needed at the Visitor Center

Do you have a morning or afternoon to volunteer or do you know of someone who might? I know just the spot. The Creston/Union County Visitors Center is in need of a few folks to volunteer. The Visitor Center – located on Highway 34 West – will be open from mid-May to late September. It’s a great way to meet new people and also introduce them to our great Creston Community.

If you would be interested or need more information please call the Chamber Office. We will be more than happy to provide you the information you need.

Planning for the 4th of July Has Begun

The 10,000 Crestonians have begun planning for the 2024 4th of July Celebration in Creston, Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue. A few of the events that are slated to take place currently include the Creston Service Clubs BBQ and KSIB Car Show on June 28 and Party in the Park on June 29. The 4th of July Parade will start at 10 a.m., and the best fireworks show in Southwest Iowa at 9:30 p.m. at McKinley Park on the 4th.

If you have an event idea you think might be a great addition to what is already offered please contact the Chamber. You can view the current Schedule of Events on the Chamber Website, Creston/Union County Tourism and Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

The 2024 Iowa Travel Guides and the 2024 Southern Iowa Tourism Tabloids are now available at the Chamber Office or online.

Please follow Creston/Union County Tourism on Facebook and Instagram, please.

April Hi-Five Honoree

April Gold Star Business Honored

The Chamber honored Chris Lane Agency, 609 W. Adams Street in Creston, this month as the April Gold Star Business in Creston. They were nominated by their fellow Crestonians because of the appearance both inside and out of their building and property. Congratulations.

Please contact the Chamber to acknowledge a business property.

Last, but certainly not least, remember, the Creston Citywide Garage Sale is June 8.

Ellen  Gerharz

Ellen Gerharz, executive director, Creston Chamber of Commerce

Ellen Gerharz is the executive director of the Creston Chamber of Commerce. She has held the role of the ED at Creston's Chamber of Commerce since July of 1999. The Creston Chamber of Commerce is located at 208 W. Taylor St., Creston, IA 50801. To reach the chamber, call 641-782-7021 or email chamber@crestoniowachamber.com.