Summer in greater Fort Dodge is in full swing – and let me tell you, there’s something special about the energy that builds this time of year. From community festivals to trail rides, our region comes alive in a way that reflects the heart of who we are: connected, collaborative and constantly moving forward.

At the Growth Alliance, our focus this year remains on one powerful word: elevate. And one of the best ways to elevate our community? Support what’s local. Whether you’re shopping at a small boutique downtown, grabbing a bite from a locally owned restaurant, enjoying a concert in the park or hitting the trail system – you are actively investing in the quality of life that makes Fort Dodge and the surrounding region shine.

These aren’t just feel-good moments (though they are pretty great). They’re also powerful tools for workforce attraction and retention. When people consider where to live, work and raise a family, they’re looking beyond the job title. They’re looking for vibrant places with opportunities to connect, recharge, and feel at home. The more we support local businesses and events, the more we help build that magnetic sense of place that says “You belong here.”

That’s exactly the spirit we’re bringing to our Leading Ladies Luncheon on Tuesday and I hope you’ll join us. This year’s keynote speaker, Afton Holt, is bringing a raw and energizing message about what she calls “the messy middle.” Through her story of public failure, reinvention and grit, she’ll remind us that leadership isn’t about having it all figured out – it’s about showing up anyway. Whether you’re leading a business, your family, or simply your own life with courage – the talk is for you.

Also this month we had the great honor of sitting down with Judge Brown and Mrs. Charlene Washington, the grand marshals for this year’s Frontier Days parade. Their story, leadership and presence in our community are nothing short of inspiring.

As we roll into the rest of summer, I encourage you to continue investing in the people, places, and experiences that make our region thrive. Every local purchase, every event attended, every trail walked or biked – it all matters. It all adds up. And it’s how we build the kind of community where people want to stay, return to and bring others along.

Let’s keep showing up.

Let’s keep building.

Let’s keep elevating together.

Astra Ferris is the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.