Affiliate Chamber Spotlight: 2021 Grimes Chamber & Economic Development

Chamber Name + Website

Grimes Chamber & Economic Development

Elected leader for 2021

Ben Butzke, board chair

Professional Staff Leader of the Chamber

Brian Buethe, president/CEO

Number of Members

319 Members

How Does a Business Join Your Chamber?

Businesses can join Grimes Chamber & Economic Development by visiting GrimesIowa.com. Alternatively, prospective members can visit the organization’s office at 404 SE Main Street, Suite 200, Grimes, IA 50111.

What Inspired You to First Get Involved with Your Chamber?

My wife (Jacque Butzke) and I established a business (Inspiring Dance) in the community. It seemed like a natural fit, as a business owner, to be involved and engaged in the local Chamber of Commerce.

What is a Signature Offering of Your Chamber?

Grimes Chamber & Economic Development is unique in that it provides traditional Chamber of Commerce benefits, as well as operating as a full-service Economic Development Organization (EDO), while also providing for local tourism promotion; a trifecta of services that benefit businesses across the spectrum.

What is Your Chamber’s Biggest Accomplishment in the Past 12 Months?

Grimes Chamber & Economic Development, like everyone else, had to make significant changes over the past year. Despite those challenges, the organization was able to provide as much or more support and benefits to our members. Although networking events looked much different, we were still able to make valuable connections with and for our members, just in a different way.

What Initiative/Project Are You Looking Forward to in the Upcoming Year?

We are looking forward to helping lead the effort to reinvigorate our local economy by providing information, education, promotion and safe networking opportunities that will benefit our members and the community in which we reside. Also, we are breaking ground on the new GrimesPlex multi-use sports complex!

What Partnership Tools/Resources Have Been Most Beneficial to Your Chamber Members?

Traditionally, we have greatly valued the opportunity to engage with over 6,500 regional member businesses and organizations via the Partnership’s platform of events and services. The information concerning resources pertaining to the business community during the pandemic have been most valuable.

What Are Your Upcoming Events

A few upcoming 2021 events include:

• Governors Days: June 10-12
• GCED Annual Dinner: Thursday, July 29
• Monthly Events
  • Off the Clock: Thursday, May 27
  • Lunch & Learns: Wednesday, June 16
  • Ribbon Cuttings
  • Groundbreakings

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the fourth largest regional Chamber of Commerce in the nation. Learn more about Partnership Affiliate Chambers, browse the Membership Directory and read additional Affiliate Chamber spotlights.