Staying strong in the face of adversity
2021 can best be described with one word , perseverance . Our community faced the most difficult year in perhaps any of our lives in 2020 , both personally and economically . As we marched into 2021 with hope and ambition to recover , we were faced with more challenges that would test our ability to be patient , to sustain , and grow . We are blessed to see in action our dedicated staff , board members , partner organizations and volunteers that believe in our community so much that they devoted themselves to the cause , often sacrificing their personal commitments to work toward the betterment of the whole . I am so proud that your GOPIP team stood strong in the face of adversity , and through it all have continued to serve the mission of our organization .
Looking back on this year , through all of our trials , I believe that GOPIP has met this challenge and are stronger because of it . Our community has witnessed an economic and societal change that both allows and forces GOPIP to refocus our energies , capitalize upon our strengths , and build a new future in which we can grow together as one united Ottumwa . Your GOPIP team worked relentlessly to ensure that your investment dollars were put to use to maintain and grow an economic base that will help us prosper in a time when nothing is a given . I would like to offer you some key highlights of the efforts of this year :
• In the spring of 2021 , the Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau rebranded to Meet Ottumwa . The rebranding included the determination of a new marketing name , design of a new logo and the selection of a new tag line : “ Where Iowa Meets the World .”
• Meet Ottumwa was the lead organization in planning and hosting the 14-year-old Babe Ruth World Series . More than $ 175,000 was raised via sponsorships , grants and souvenir / ticket sales to support the event . An economic impact survey
for allowing us to
Thank you
serve you for over 60 years !
and analysis demonstrated that the tournament brought in $ 2,676,174 to the community .
• Main Street Ottumwa ( MSO ) played an integral role in keeping our downtown business districts open . This included sharing information , revamping events and ensuring safety of crowds . Through this , some events like Ladies Night Out became their most profitable yet !
• MSO added visual features to downtown , even with a restrictive budget , to maintain the appearance of the district . Some of these features included sidewalk pots , Hometown Heroes banners , and the purchase of a new GEM vehicle for a low carbon footprint maintenance vehicle .
• GOPIP recently announced the addition of MAAX Swim Spas to Ottumwa ’ s industrial base — a $ 23 million investment with a $ 6 million payroll — adding high-quality jobs and resurrecting a formerly vacant building in the industrial park .
• In collaboration with Area 15 , GOPIP is offering FREE digital media marketing services to assist small business with promoting their business enterprise online . With more than 70 participants and growing , this is a positive move for retail and dining establishments throughout the six-county area .
• Held the first Lemonade Day in Iowa promoting youth entrepreneurship and starting their own business with a lemonade stand . Participants learned how to make a business plan and how to share , save and spend their profits . Our Entrepreneur of the Year for Ottumwa will go on to complete in Houston , Texas , for the national title .
• Added a third day to the Greater Ottumwa Rodeo . It was the Brenda Sieren Memorial Jackpot . A portion of the proceeds from that event was given to the American Cancer Society . We were able to donate more than $ 400 in memory of Brenda .
In a moment of reflection , I would ask us to remember a significant loss to not only GOPIP , but also our community . This year we lost one of our beloved staff members , Brenda Sieren . Everyone who knew Brenda understood that she was a very special soul who brought joy to everyone she met . We were fortunate to have Brenda working with us for 16 years . Brenda was passionate about Ottumwa , and her work proved it . She may be gone from us in body , but her spirit will live on for everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing her .
I would be remiss if I failed to mention that we are in a season of organizational change . GOPIP saw the exit of TJ Heller as CEO of GOPIP . The Boards of Directors for Main Street Ottumwa and Meet Ottumwa have voted to end their strategic relationship with GOPIP as well . These changes have started the conversation with GOPIP board and Smart Solutions ( a consulting firm ) to set a new course for GOPIP , a direction that will re-engage GOPIP with you , our investors . One of these changes will be a move to annual billing in 2022 to better serve you . Thank you for your continued financial support and the generosity of spirit that you demonstrate each time you lend a hand in the activities of our organization .
And finally , GOPIP is building the strategies that will move us forward to prosperity as an organization and as a community , with your dollars investing in not only GOPIP , but our future . It is true , we have seen storms like none other , but we are strong , dedicated and more determined than ever to succeed ; we will persevere .
Marc Roe President , GOPIP Board of Directors
720 Richmond Ave . Ottumwa , IA ( 641 ) 682-9327
1147 N Jefferson St . Ottumwa , IA ( 641 ) 682-9475
Locations in Ottumwa , Agency , Batavia , Hedrick , Eddyville , Albia , Chariton , Lancaster
6 GOPIP Investor Directory 2021-22