Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want. - Ken Poirot

With the end of 2023 drawing near, we felt that this quote was a good reminder. Sometimes, we tend to look more towards our future than focus on where we are right now. While it's great to set goals and think about your future and where you want to be one day, don't get so caught up in the future that you forget how important the present is. After all, the choices that you make today will shape your tomorrow What is one thing you can do today that will get you one step closer to the tomorrow you want?

Union County Trivia: How did Creston get its name?

Creston Awarded a Thriving Communities Designation

In September, the City of Creston was awarded the designation of a Thriving Community.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) introduced the Iowa Thriving Communities Designation opportunity in April at the Rural Iowa Housing Summit in Ames. This initiative is meant to elevate best practices from communities that are going above and beyond to leverage innovative methods to attract housing opportunities for their workforce.

Over 50 applications were submitted for this designation in both the Rural and Urban sectors and Creston was chosen as finalist and given the opportunity to present to a panel of judges, where members from the Housing Committee, formed by Union County Development Association (UCDA), presented to a panel of judges from IEDA and IFA. The winners of this designation were announced at the Housing Conference in Cedar Rapids and invited to present information about their community and what efforts are being taken to help solve the challenges of creating more workforce housing.

Communities that received this inaugural year’s designation were: Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Creston, Dubuque, Jefferson, Knoxville, Manning, Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Stanton, and West Des Moines. A strong partnership between The City of Creston, UCDA and Southern Iowa Council of Governments helped make this possible. Mindy Stalker, Executive Director of UCDA shares, “The application and presentation process was strenuous and could not have been as thorough and successful without the support of the city administration and council, as well as, the contributions towards housing efforts from community partners such as Greater Regional Health and Southwestern Community College. Housing is an issue and concern across the state of Iowa. We are hopeful that programs such as Thriving Communities designation and continued community partnerships will make Union County stand out as a progressive place to live.”

Mayor Gabe Carroll states, "We were fortunate that our elected leaders and housing committee have been progressive and proactive in our planning processes; it gave us a distinct advantage to have things like the rental inspection, tax abatements and other incentives in place well ahead of this opportunity opening up."

This Thriving Communities designation comes with lucrative scoring points for the Federal Housing Tax Credit programs, meaning that developers will be highly incentivized to select an Iowa Thriving Community for a proposed development through the 2024 programs.

Source: herewegrow.city

Another year, another Leadership Class!

We are excited to kick off our 2023-2024 Lead UC leadership program with 16 youth and 15 adults! The youth met on Wednesday, September 6th at St. Thomas Moore Center in Panora, Iowa where they got to know one another through confidence and team building exercises. The adults met on Wednesday, September 20th at The Roundhouse where they discussed strengths based leadership with guest speaker, Keith Hansen, and learned about their top 5 strengths. We look forward to another successful leadership year! You can learn more about Lead UC here.

Uptown Creston Revitalization Plan Public Survey

The City of Creston is working with consultants to develop a plan for the revitalization of Uptown Creston and the surrounding residential neighborhood. The intent of the planning effort is to identify community needs and propose specific projects that will improve the Uptown area. After the planning effort is complete, the City of Creston will be eligible to pursue further grant funding for project implementation. Your input is important in identifying needs and prioritizing future project efforts!

Please fill out the survey before Friday here.

Fridays After Five Raises Over $8,000 for Local Non-Profits

In September, the Union County Young Professionals wrapped up 15 weeks of great live music, sponsored by over 15 great local businesses at a great venue, the Creston Elks Lodge! Fridays After Five (FAF) allowed 15 different local non-profit organizations to raise over $8,000 this summer. As we wrap up our 5th year of FAF, this easy, after hour event has helped to raise over $33,000 for over 25 local non-profits. Thank you everyone for your support!

Fridays After Five is an event hosted by the Union County Young Professionals & Creston Elks Lodge that takes place in the beer garden at the Elks Lodge every Friday in the summer starting in May and ending in September. Each week, a different local business generously sponsors the live music for that evening while a different non-profit volunteers to collect a $5 entry fee that is then donated to that non-profit. On top of that, the Creston Elks Lodge also generously gives the first 100 people a free drink token.We look forward to continuing this fun, summer event in 2024!

Like Union County Young Professionals on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all of their fun, monthly events!

Creston Chamber & UCDA Small Business Grant

In our last newsletter, we announced the partnership between the Creston Chamber of Commerce & UCDA to offer start up small businesses a grant opportunity once they have been operational for 3 months. Click the links below for more information!

Small Business Grant Criteria

Small Business Grant Application

Coworker Spotlight: Nicole Determan Photography

Nicole Determan Photography has been a Roundhouse coworking member since July 2023! Nicole Determan Photography specializes in personal brand & small business commercial photography that creates uncomplicated visual storytelling for the modern CEO. NDP is passionate about helping personal brands & small business owners create strong, visual, storytelling imagery, because it helps connect the audience to what they offer as well as helps them show up confidently in their visual marketing!

How long have you been a Union County resident?

5 years in November! 

How long have you been doing photography, and what inspired you to start pursuing photography?

Long story short, I picked up my camera almost 10 years ago. My husband and I lived in Rochester, MN where we knew zero people, and I needed something to do during my time. I had bought a camera the year we got married, used it once on our honeymoon, had no clue how to use it, and put it back in the box until I decided to start teaching myself. Fast forward, I niched to brand photography and haven't looked back since. I have a degree from UNI for Business Administration, so in a way, I get to combine my love of business with my love of photography together!

When you're not working, what do you enjoy doing?

I'm a big reader! Anything from rom-com's to personal development to business & marketing. 

Took up golf this summer and have enjoyed learning something completely new. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Union County?

Golf at Crestmoor Golf Club! You can catch my family there almost every night of the week. Also really enjoy walking out and around Green Valley. 

Learn more about Nicole and her services:

nicoledetermanphotography.com

Facebook: Nicole Determan Photography

Instagram: @nicoledetermanphotography

TikTok: @nicoledetermanphoto

Career & Volunteer Opportunities

Trivia Answer: The Crest was the high point on the Burlington line amidst the rivers of Mississippi and Missouri.

Want to feature a job opening, special event, volunteer opportunity, or young professional in our next quarterly newsletter? Email us at Marketing@UnionCountyIowa.com.