A business plan is more than a formality; it’s the blueprint for translating ideas into traction. A well-crafted plan helps you define goals, attract investors, and align your team. It’s a roadmap that shows where you’re going, why you’ll succeed, and how you’ll measure progress.Key Takeaways A strong business plan tells a clear story. Use data to validate assumptions, not to decorate them. Focus on structure—clarity builds confidence with investors. Keep the financials realistic, transparent, and
The Federal Housing Finance Agency published the 2025 Q3 Housing Price Index report, and national data show home prices rose 2.3 percent between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025. Nationally, the U.S. housing market has experienced positive annual appreciation each quarter since the start of 2012. The five-year home appreciation in our region was between 39.52% and 46.67%, with all of our regional Metropolitan Statistical Areas experiencing positive gains. In the past year, home
Grow Clinton is pleased to announce the selection of participants for the 2026 Grow Clinton Leadership Institute, a premier professional development program designed to cultivate informed, connected, and engaged community leaders throughout the Clinton Region. The 2026 Leadership Institute class is made up of a diverse group of professionals representing businesses, financial institutions, and local government. Over the course of the program, participants will gain firsthand knowledge of the Clinton
Every legislative session, Grow Clinton and DeWitt Chamber & Development Corp host two Legislative Coffees on one Saturday every month. Grow Clinton’s coffee is hosted in Camanche and held at 9am. The coffee features a moderated discussion with the state elected officials: Representatives Tom Determann and Norlin Mommsen and Senator Mike Zimmer. The first coffee is on Saturday January 24 with the remaining being all Saturdays at 9am as well: February 28, March 14, and April 18. The coffees will be held at
Clinton Community College, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, has announced the recipient of the 2026 Connie Campbell Memorial Customer Service Award. The award was created in memory of CCC employee Connie Campbell of Camanche who passed away in June of 2006. The award honors a CCC employee whose work reflects that customer care that Connie demonstrated daily, going above and beyond to give excellent internal and external service. Mary Jo Nier, High School Equivalency (HiSE) Lead Teacher and
Grow Clinton, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting business growth, building community, and advocating for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region, has announced a partnership with the New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative, Inc. (NewBoCo), a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Through this collaboration, Grow Clinton will expand and strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology-focused support services for local businesses, helping
Whether you’re hosting or attending a New Year’s Eve party, everyone has an important job: Help keep drunk drivers off the road so we can all make it home safely on New Year's Eve. If you’re going out to ring in the New Year and plan to drink alcohol, make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safely at the end of the night. If you’re hosting a party, prepare plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options for your guests, especially for the designated drivers. If you’re a designated driver,
Junior Achievement of the Heartland is excited to roll out its annual JA Bowl-A-Thon, taking place in February and March 2026 at bowling alleys throughout its 24-county region. This high-energy fundraising event brings together local businesses, community members, and supporters for a great cause — helping young people build essential life and career skills. This year’s Bowl-A-Thon holds special significance, as JA of the Heartland celebrates its 70th anniversary of empowering students across eastern Iowa
Camanche Middle School and Camanche High School are introducing an expanded learning experience when students return from winter break. From January 5–9, both schools will step away from typical schedules and participate in J-Term, a week designed to help students explore future careers and community involvement in meaningful, hands-on ways. This is the first combined program of its kind in Eastern Iowa. At the middle school, students in grades 5–8 will choose an area of interest and spend the week
SKB Cyber is pleased to share that our Chief Operating Officer, Keith Brooks, has earned his CMMC Registered Practitioner Advanced (RPA) certification. This accomplishment reflects Keith’s commitment to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity and federal compliance requirements.For businesses that must meet CMMC standards, especially those supporting federal contracts, this certification matters. The RPA credential allows Keith to guide organizations through the entire preparation process, helping them
In 2026, a total of $15,000 in scholarships will be awarded to 15 Ascentra student members to help offset the costs of attending postsecondary education through a college, university or trade program.The program includes awards for three distinct types of students.Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school student members planning to enter college.Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to non-traditional student members aged 19 or over planning to attend higher education.Five $1,000
When most entrepreneurs think of buying a business, they imagine something healthy — customers, revenue, and clear processes. But sometimes the best opportunities come wrapped in difficulty. Acquiring a struggling business can be a strategic move, offering assets, customers, and infrastructure at a discount — if you know how to stabilize and adapt it. TL;DR Buying a struggling business can be profitable if you: Assess the real causes of decline (not just surface symptoms). Negotiate smartly
When you’re at a turning point—hiring your first employee, testing a new product, or entering a fresh market—the right opportunity can spark major growth. But even promising ventures carry risk. For small business owners, the challenge isn’t just acting boldly—it’s acting wisely. Whether you're launching a second location or expanding your service offering, the steps you take now can shape your trajectory for years to come. The good news? With practical planning, you can lower risk, increase clarity, and
By now, you've probably sensed it: local customers aren't just evolving — they're pivoting fast. The rules that worked five years ago don't just feel stale. They feel invisible. What's replacing them? Demands that are sharper, more human, and more digitally entangled than ever. In 2025, expectations aren’t quietly rising — they’re sprinting ahead of most small businesses. What follows is a beat-by-beat breakdown of what real people want now, and how you — the local business — can meet them where they
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The Clinton Community College Diversity Team is collaborating with the Gateway History Club, Grow Clinton, and City of Clinton to offer bus tours highlighting our community’s heritage. Clinton Community College, located at 1000 Lincoln Blvd in Clinton, is one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. The community bus tours are free and will be 9 – 11:30 a.m. starting at Clinton Community College. A 30 minute presentation will be held in the CCC Auditorium before departing on the tour. Registrations
The Clinton Community College Diversity Team is collaborating with the Clinton Historical Society and City of Clinton to offer bus tours highlighting our community’s heritage. Clinton Community College, located at 1000 Lincoln Blvd in Clinton, is one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. The community bus tours are free and will be 9 – 11:30 a.m. starting at Clinton Community College. A 30 minute presentation will be held in the CCC Auditorium before departing on the tour. Registrations will be
Embarking on the journey to establish your own alternative wellness or clinical practice is a thrilling yet multifaceted adventure. Imagine crafting a sanctuary where holistic healing and integrative health converge, offering your clients a haven of wellness. The road to this dream is paved with strategic planning and meticulous decision-making that can turn your passion into a thriving business. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the essential steps and strategies needed to launch a successful
Adobe Acrobat has long been an invaluable tool for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees all over the world thanks to its wide array of PDF generation and editing tools. Now, Acrobat AI Assistant offers new benefits for businesses of all sizes. Acrobat AI Assistant’s revolutionary software can transform your business with its incredible features: Enhanced Document Understanding: The AI Assistant utilizes machine learning algorithms to understand the content and structure of PDF documents
Starting a business in the health industry can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping people improve their health and well-being, but you also have the potential to make a significant impact on your community. However, starting a business is no easy feat, and it requires a lot of planning, hard work, and dedication. In this article, we offer some great tips for starting a successful health-based business.Health-Based Ventures to Consider The
