Program: Carver Video
Invocation: Paul Fitzpatrick
Recap of March 11, 2019 Club Meeting:
Visitor: Roger Lande was the guest of Sarah Lande
Happy News: Mike Frye was happy that his baskeball team - Bradley Univerisity won. It is the 1st time in 31 years that they have been in the NCAA tournament. Megan Francis let us know that Sunnybrook is having community fundraising lunch on Wednesday to benefit community action of eastern Iowa. Sarah Lande was happy that her granddaughter, Sarah, graduated with her PhD. And the Merrill hotel is celebrating its one year anniversary. Sarah also made a contribution to the trail signs and benches and encouraged everyone else to do the same. Holly Thomas-Koehler let us know of a relay for life event taking place Sunday, March 31 at Contrary Brewing. She is also happy that her son is back from Model UN group and interviewed and got a photo with Ambassador Cohen. Jeff Wenger was happy that Country Financial raised $1500 for the Fruitland fire department through Operation Helping Heroes. Rich Dwyer was happy that the Merrill Hotel in Muscatine was names the #1 hotel in Iowa. Marv Krieger encouraged us all to tell our loved ones that we love them. We don't do that often enough. Praise rather than criticize.
Club Business: Final readings for Jeff Wenger and Lisa Werner to become new members.
Program: Update of GMCCI. Our presenters were Shelly Sides and Adam Thompson from GMCCI. The mission of GMCCI is to advance our regions economy and improve quality of life for our residents. Adam presented on economic development, which focuses on recruitment of new business, business retention, and expansion and entrepreneurial support. Muscatine has the 2nd strongest economic strength in Iowa. Our hotel revenue hit $500,000 in 2018 versus prior years average of $350,000 - more people are visiting Muscatine. Shelly presented on community development. GMCCI partners with individuals, businesses and government to better Muscatine. CIAT Team headed up the Pearls of Progress project - helped to raise $500,000 to qualify for matching CAT grant of $500,000. The trail system, dog park, and library are complete. The cabins at Deep Lakes Park will be under construction this spring. We will be having another Over the Edge event September 21, 2019. She also spoke about the annual 4th of July celebration, Leadership Muscatine and the Chamber Ambassador Network. Thank you Shelly and Adam.
Our next meeting will be Monday, March 18, 2019 at the Rendezvous.