Vinton Unlimited = Unlimited Possibilities
Vinton Unlimited is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2015. Prior to 1985, the Chamber of Commerce and Vinton Development Corporation worked to take care of the community. Morris Eckhart was the first president of the newly formed group and Dave Vermedahl was later named President at the 1st Annual Meeting in February 1985. It was known early on that the success of such an organization would be dependent on strong participation by local businesses and individuals so initial efforts were focused gathering members. The highlight events of 1985 included a potluck for Farm-City Week, retail Appreciation Days, Popcorn City Days, numerous visits to newly opened businesses in the community, the fight to keep the Iowa Braille & Sight Saving School in Vinton, not to mention a continuous fundraising effort and the hiring of Norman Cruise in April 1985 as the Director.
Vinton Unlimited really hasn’t changed all that much since 1985. We still know and even better understand the need for strong participation and support from the community. While Farm-City Week has been retired along with Popcorn City Days, the Boomtown and Boom-Fest celebrations along with all of the other yearly happenings seem to be a nice fit for our community. Vinton Unlimited is still excited to help celebrate new businesses opening their doors in the community. We still operate with some of the same by-laws and the same committees. The most important thing that has stayed the same over the past 30 years is the commitment to help the community succeed. Looking through old newspaper articles, the main goal in 1985 was to promote current business and industry in town as well as attracting any new business opportunities. Today, we continue to do just that (along with a few other things!)
Over the years, as with any organization, Vinton Unlimited has had its up and downs, its successes and failures, its new Directors and new Board members. Vinton Unlimited has organized and supported different events and efforts throughout the community. We have had different ideas, different suggestions. The possibilities really are unlimited with Vinton Unlimited. We are an organization to help YOU, the City of Vinton.
Don’t be a stranger. We are always looking for new ideas, new members and new points of view. Come share them with us!