GOPIP 2024-2025 | Page 3

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3 GOPIP Benefits

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU? mission: Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress is an economic and community development organization collaboratively advancing the prosperity of the Ottumwa region.

vision: A vibrant and thriving Ottumwa region.
4 Letter from Executive Director Marc Roe
4 Board of Directors
5 Investor Opportunities
6 Letter from Mayor Rick Johnson
6 Community Partners and Resources
8 2025 Annual Report
10 Ottumwa’ s Unique 5 Business Districts
12 Patience paying off with Retail Strategy
13 New Events
14 Top 5 Employers
• Host special events throughout the year, including: Greater Ottumwa Rodeo, Golf Classic, Ottumwa WinterFest, Ottumwa International Film Festival, and Lemonade Day which enhances the quality of life for area residents and draws visitors from other parts of the state. These events give our members a great opportunity for business exposure and networking with prospective clients, customers, and resources.
• Provide GOPIP Bucks for gifts or as employee rewards. These certificates can only be redeemed at member businesses. More than $ 75,000 in gift certificates have been purchased in the past four years. This is a significant amount of purchasing power in the community.
• Publish the Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress Investor Directory and Community Profile, both as a booklet and on the website. This is a great tool for business exposure and networking opportunities.
• Promote investor businesses by referring our investors first and foremost to new Wapello County residents, visitors and the community.
Take advantage of our business card holder in the lobby.
• Host several valuable committees. This is a great opportunity for our members to network and to give back to the community.
• Represent businesses at the local, state and national level through legislative forums and advocacy.
• Recognize businesses in the community through the Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress Ambassadors Committee with ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and open houses.
• Sponsor educational seminars and workshops on members’ business needs and topics.
• Distribute weekly newsletter,“ Flyer Friday,” of investor-only content to our vast mailing list digitally.
• Produce Eggs and Issues, Flyer Friday and offer window display areas and conference rooms at no charge.
• Business Spotlight, special radio and Facebook feature of your business.
• Video, translation, data services.
Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress, Inc. For membership information, contact: Cyan Bossou 641-682-3465 ext. 5901 or cyan @ ottumwaiowa. com
16 Fourth annual Lean In conference focused on wellness, restoration
18 Fifth Lemonade Day moves impact to over 150 elementary students
19 Momentum: Capturing the Moment. Inspiring Progress.
20 Gene Schultz Award Winner: Bill Ansley
22 Fun in Ottumwa

24 Arts, Culture, Parks credits

Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress Investor Directory is a partnership with the Ottumwa Courier
213 E. Second St., Ottumwa, IA 52501 641-684-4611 | news @ ottumwacourier. com
For advertising information, contact: Ottumwa Courier 213 E. Second St. | Ottumwa, IA 52501 641-684-4611 | ottumwacourier. com
Copies of the magazine are available from Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress 217 E. Main St., Ottumwa, IA 52501 www. gopip. org
PUBLISHER Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress
PUBLISHER / EDITOR Kyle Ocker
OPERATIONS MANAGER Traci Counterman
ASSOCIATE / MAGAZINE EDITOR Donald A. Promnitz
ADVERTISING SALES Liz Techel Walter Daniel
GRAPHIC DESIGN Kaylee Stewart
26 Investors List
Photos are a compilation of Ottumwa Courier and Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress file photos, including photography from Ottumwa Courier staff writer Chad Drury and associate editor Donald A. Promnitz.
GOPIP Investor Directory 2025-26
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