Community Notes: New community outreach efforts planned in 2024

By Mark Wicks, Charles City Community Development Director

Welcome to 2024, and a new year of hope, challenges and opportunities.

Both your Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Charles City program are hard at work promoting the community, planning events for 2024, assisting visitors, businesses and organizations, as well as looking to see how we can take advantage of those new opportunities.

In addition to our annual activities and events, there are some new community outreach activities planned to better assist, inform and involve members of the public and Chamber members alike.

• The first is coming up quickly, on Thursday, Jan. 25th, when the Chamber hosts an initial “Coffee & Conversation” event from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Hy-Vee dining room. Join us for a free cup of coffee, compliments of Hy-Vee, and learn more about what is happening in town.

Chamber staff, along with invited representatives of the city, county, schools and more will be on hand to provide brief updates on happenings and answer questions if we can. Depending on public participation, the Chamber will look at offering similar sessions once a quarter at different locations around town. Come get the scoop on things and offer your own input.

• On Thursday, Feb. 1st, Chamber members are invited to learn how to take full advantage of their Chamber website Info Hub, get assistance in setting up their online account, and learn more about services and benefits they may be eligible for at a Lunch & Learn session.

Chamber staff will be on hand at the Zastrow Room at the Charles City Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to meet with any Chamber members – or potential members – interested in learning more about membership options.

A soup and sandwich luncheon will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP the Chamber if you plan to come by calling 641-228-4234 or emailing info@charlescitychamber.com for food order purposes.

• Then, coming up on April 4th, the Chamber will host a New Residents Open House at 401 North Main St.

Anyone new to the area, or considering moving to Charles City, is welcome to stop in any time between noon and 4 p.m. to get information on the community, Floyd County or North Iowa.

Meet the Chamber staff and let us help with referrals to businesses, organizations, social clubs, attractions and other areas of interest, as well as answer questions you might have.

There will be sign-ups for a community bus tour or downtown historic walking tour to be held at a later date if enough people are interested.

• On the Main Street Charles City side, new and longtime residents alike are welcome to get in on continued efforts by the volunteer-driven program to preserve, beautify and enhance the downtown district.

Watch for more outreach from MSCC volunteers about opportunities for people to get more involved in their community, lend a helping hand here and there, or take advantage of incentives and resources to improve their business or commercial building. Doing a little, or doing a lot, it all makes a difference!

• Speaking of annual events, be sure to check out the upcoming Cabin Fever Weekend schedule at www.charlescitychamber.com or on the Chamber & Tourism Facebook page of fun outdoor and indoor activities being offered in and around town Jan. 25-28.

• There are also Chamber Bingo Nights offered the second Saturday of each month, October through May, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Columbus Club, 502 Clark St. Cash prizes, door prize drawings and fun for the whole family or your group of friends!

• On Saturday, Feb. 24th, join us for an entertaining night of fun, food, socializing, laughs and celebration at the Annual Chamber Dinner & Auction event to be held at the Floyd County Fairgrounds.

Enjoy the amazement and hilarity of entertainer Tom Roth and his stage hypnosis show, feast on a dinner catered by Dave’s Restaurant, take a shot at the wonderful silent and live auction items available, as well as help celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Chamber.

Add to the fun by participating in the “Dress Your Best Decade” costume contest for a shot at a prize and bragging rights! Check out Facebook or the Chamber website for more information.

For more information on any of the above offerings, please call the Chamber at 641-228-4234, Main Street Charles City at 641-228-2335, or email info@charlescitychamber.com.