With more than 50 people on hand — including 30 small business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs — the first Poweshiek ‘EntreBash’ Tuesday evening was a rousing success.

Attendees at the event held at the Grinnell College Glove Factory had a chance to meet with small business experts, discuss legal, insurance, marketing and finance issues with local professionals, and network with fellow entrepreneurs and area leaders.  Brooklyn Mayor Loren Rickard was on hand, as was Patriot Bank President Craig Arendt, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Director Louis VanErsvelde, and Montezuma Growth and Improvement Association Director Marcia Christensen.

The EntreBash was co-sponsored by Poweshiek Iowa Development (PowI-80) and the University of Northern Iowa’s ‘MyEntreNet’ program, of which Poweshiek County is a member.  MyEntreNet is a rural enrepreneurship iniatitive that provides resources and training to small businesses in rural areas.

One attendee, Judy Lebeck of Grinnell, was at the ‘EntreBash’ had this to say afterward:

"My EntreNet is a MUST for anyone thinking about starting a business or improving and expanding an existing one.  The recommendations, assistance and support  received at the Entre Bash are priceless!  How fortunate we are to have this wealth of information at our fingertips."

Some images of the Bash!

Attorney Bill McNally with entrepreneurs Audra Norman and Jennifer Brown

Paul and Sheryl Parmley with Fran Conn of Starnes TV and Appliance, PowI-80’s Gloria Bachmann and

Brooklyn Mayor Loren Rickard in the background

Gloria Bachmann and Grinnell College student Alex Moore.

Montezuma native and Grinnell College alumnus/longtime coach Edd Bowers passed away this week in Texas.  He was 86.

Grinnell College has a very nice tribute to Edd on its website.  http://www.grinnell.edu/etal/inmemoriam/eddbowers/

There will be a memorial service on Sunday, September 28th at 4pm at Herrick Chapel on campus. 

Here’s a great chance for business owners or those who would like to start a business someday!

Tonight — 5pm — Old Glove Factory, Broad Street, just south of the railroad tracks, Downtown Grinnell

www.poweshiekcountyiowa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/file/EntreBash Flyer.pdf

Grinnell Regional Medical Center got some national publicity today! Check this link to USA Today!

Alternative treatments serve a patient’s mind, body and spirit
USA Today - USA

Also today, GRMC President and CEO Todd Linden spent 20 minutes on Iowa Public Radio’s ‘Talk @ 12′ show describing the impact of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement inequities on the hospital.  The ‘tweener’ issue has been plaguing GRMC for years now, but its impact is growing to the point where the hospital lost $6 million last year in underpayments for patients receiving Medicare/Medicaid.

The interview with Iowa Public Radio’s Katherine Perkins is not available yet.  But check back at the program website — http://wsui.uiowa.edu/talkat12.htm — to hear the exchange.