The Oelwein Chamber and Area Development hosted their 2024 Community Awards night at Transco Events on Frederick Wednesday evening during Business After Five commemorating the successful businesses in Oelwein and those that serve their community relentlessly.
OCAD Executive Director Deb Howard opened the ceremony with a welcome to the new events center as attendees enjoyed dinner of soups, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Sarah Lewis, events center committee member and OCAD board member and future president, gave an update as to happenings in the downtown corridor.
Lewis gave thanks to all OCAD board members and recognized and thanked the Oelwein OCAD Ambassadors, typically known as the “Red Coats.” This group welcomes new businesses to Oelwein upon opening. Recently, the group has been quite busy, having multiple openings in the last two months alone.
Oelwein’s City Council was recognized with Councilmember Dave Lenz in attendance and Lewis also welcomed 2024 Miss Oelwein Ali Cook for the crowd. Lewis gave the audience a perspective of how OCAD has personally impacted her since many know what OCAD does.
“I’m super thankful that I came and I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” Lewis told the crowd. “This town has been amazing, the people were amazing and I was 23 years old and had no idea what I was doing, and OCAD was a huge resource for me… I’m really thankful for OCAD and the help they gave my business.”
Proceeds collected from this year’s Party in the Park beer garden were collected and presented to Oelwein Area United Way, totaling $5,953.29, after the group diligently served the community at every Party in the Park.
“Sometimes we can’t do a project alone, so our partner in this project is United Way and they’ve been here for us for 11 years,” Howard said. “We are very thankful that we have them helping us with this project and we couldn’t do it without them. We are very proud every year to present a check to them.”
Josh Ehn, OCAD board and economic development committee member, gave updates on economic opportunities and updates.
“If there is a new business, a business struggling, a business trying to close its doors or wants to reopen its doors, a business that needs financing, loans, special funding, grants, those kinds of things, our group works behind the scenes effortlessly, tirelessly, lot and lots of meetings to make it happen,” Ehn said. “We do it because our community deserves it and citizens of our community deserve it and we want the business and businesspeople to be successful.”
Ehn said that the Transco Events on Frederick space is a genesis of that committee and the work done behind the scenes to make it happen.
“We have this beautiful space and there’s more coming,” Ehn said. “I wish that we could make announcements and push things out there, but it’s just not ready yet, but there is definitely more coming into our community that will be worth celebrating.”
Ehn said that a new leadership academy, Lead Oelwein, is now in session at the Northeast Iowa Community College center for businesses who want to send an employee to gain leadership training.
Tracy Kerns, chair of the downtown development committee, shared the excitement happening downtown with the addition of new paved parking lots, the fun Passport to Summer program and reported that they are working to expand their lighting for the Olde Tyme Christmas and are seeking volunteers.
She also reported that Oelwein made it into the final round for the 2024 Community Mural Contest with mere minutes to spare. The winner will be announced Oct. 31.
“This is just one example of the amazing things that we can accomplish when we all work together towards a common goal,” Kerns said. “Thank you all for being active partners in our community.”
Howard explained that the committee has an artist lined up for a project to be done on the entire north side of the Events on Frederick building facing the center’s parking lot.
The 2024 Community Awards began with Carolyn Spence, OCAD office manager, presenting awards with Miss Oelwein after Lisa Bahe’s presentation about OCAD membership.
There were three nominees for the 2024 Expansion/Most Improved Business of the Year award: RFSW (Ridihalgh Fuelling Snitker Weber & Co.), Viper Lanes and Alpha HD Trailers. The award went to Jeremy Lockard and Brent Waters of RFSW.
“This year’s Expansion/Most Improved Business of the Year is to a business that was able to take a vacant building that had all the structural floor plan design that worked perfectly for their business,” Spence said. “The building had been vacant for many years and included ample parking, basement storage, and made the move fairly easy. Other than a few technical issues, the transition has been a perfect match between building and new occupants.”
Anthony Ricchio was named 2024 Community Volunteer of the Year, but was unable to attend the event.
“All three of this year’s nominees are very deserving and are very dedicated to our community,” Spence began. “Going above and beyond for the event he is working on, reaching out to others around him to get others involved, doing parts of the event that many others don’t want to do and following through to the end are a few of his strong points. We are lucky to have his dedication not only to events in our community but as a lifelong community member.”
The 2024 Business of the Year nominees included Transco Railway Products, Appliance Plus, Alpha HD Trailers and the Oelwein Daily Register.
“This year’s Business of the Year is truly an example of what a business could be,” Spence said. “Businesses and leaders across the entire state are watching this business and are being recognized for their growth. Congratulations to 2024 Business of the Year Alpha Trailers and Ice Manufacturing.”
The 2024 Nonprofit of the Year was given to Antioch Christian Church for their dedication to community events and volunteering whenever available.
Sugar Shack’s owner Kelli Christiansen and team took home the 2024 Small Business of the Year after less than a year in business.
“She had a dream and has worked hard to fulfill that dream by providing sweets for our community and has recently added lunch specials,” Spence said, getting emotional towards the end of her speech.
To end the night, the 2024 OCAD Volunteer of the Year award was given to Sarah Lewis.
“She has been dedicated and committed to stepping up to serve where needed at events, was an integral part of the events center committee, is an assistant on the Chamber Discoveries trips when needed and has taken on the role as OCAD President for the 2025 year.”
The night was concluded with thanks and an ask for volunteers for Olde Tyme Christmas preparations and those who want to get involved outside of that time.
“We really do care about our businesses and we come very close with all of you and become friends,” Howard said. “You are more like family to us rather than business associates. We work with many of you every day… Oelwein is a great place and we are so proud of what you’ve done, what we’ve done together and we’re going to keep moving forward and do great things, and we have a lot of great things coming.”
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