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RED, WHITE, KABOOM! SUMMER SERIES FUN

thecolumbuspage.com753 33rd Avenue

Columbus, Nebraska(402) 564-2769Issue 392 | July 2017

The Chamber Thanks Our Diamond Level Members: Follow Us!

@ColNEChamber

Celebrate Independence Day right here in Columbus at Red, White, KaBoom!

Gates open at 7:00, live music from Freedom Road starting at 7:30, then the fireworks start at dusk!

Free VIP seating for all vets. Contact the Chamber for info/wristband.

Come earlier and enjoy the carnival rides from Moore’s Greater Shows! There will also be kids activities before the show from Connection Christian Church and the YMCA.

*Free Shuttle Service from NPPD’s parking lot from 7:00-9:00 and after the fireworks.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors:

Monday, July 3rd12:00-1:00 p.m.Lakeview VolleyballFirework StandHy-Vee Parking Lot

Friday, July 7th12:00-1:00 p.m.Platte County Fair

Wednesday, July 12th12:00-1:00 p.m.Ramada

Wednesday, July 19th12:00-1:00 p.m.Overhead Door Company of Columbus

Thursday, July 27th12:00-1:00 p.m.Dynamic Life Therapy & Wellness P.C.

Friday, Aug. 4th12:00-1:00 p.m.NE 150 Whistle StopBehind First National Bank, Downtown

Free food & giveaways! Enter to win $2000+

Monday, July 3rd at Ag Park Upcoming Events:

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2017-2018Board of DirectorsSteve Line, Chairman of

the BoardDennis Grennan, Chair-

ElectVanessa Oceguera,

Promotions Division Chair

Lisa Kaslon, Community Development Division Chair

Chris Langan, Business Development Division Chair

Kurt Shevlin, TreasurerBill Flint, Past ChairRuss FreemanBen HellbuschChad VanCleaveSharee JedlickaLisa KaslonKen CurryDr. Randy HinzeDr. Luke LemkeSarah Pillen

Ex-Officio MembersMayor Jim Bulkley, City of

ColumbusJerry Engdahl, Platte

County SupervisorJessica Kuehler,

CommodoresBernie Hansen, NE Dept.

of Labor

Our Mission:Enhancing the economic well-being and quality of life in the Columbus Area.

Dues include $2 per year subscription for your Catalyst.

Kara Asmus K.C. Belitz Bonnie EsslingerSandie FischerDeb LosekeSharyle Sands

Workforce CoordinatorPresidentOffice ManagerEvents Planner, Entrepreneur/Membership DeveloperConvention & Visitors Bureau DirectorVice President

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Staff

Hospitality sponsors provide beverages for meetings held in the

Chamber conference room and also have a table to showcase their

business!

Applications for the 2017-2018 Leadership Columbus class are now being accepted. The Application form is available on-line at www.thecolumbuspage.com/Leadership. Application deadline is August 25. For more information contact Sharyle Sands at 564-2769 or ssands@megavision.com.

Taste of Columbus will be October 8th, 2017 at Ramada-Columbus and will benefit the Columbus Community Center and Columbus Area Chamber. Don’t miss this incredibe event!

Monday, July 245 PM - 6:30 PM

Hosted by:

Cornerstone Bank1727 23rd Street

Hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

All employees of ANY Chamber member are invited to attend!

July Hospitality Sponsor

July Business After Hours

LEADERSHIP COLUMBUS

SAVE THE DATE!

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The Chamber’s Agribusiness Committee and the Platte County Ag Society will host the Businesspersons’ Breakfast at the Platte County Fair Thursday, July 6 at 7:00am at Ag Park.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Michael Boehm. Dr. Boehm was recently named the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Nebraska vice president for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

BUSINESS PERSONS’ BREAKFASTAttendees will get to hear an update from Dr. Boehm, and are also encouraged to stay and visit the fair exhibits.

Breakfast is complimentary to Chamber members and area businesspeople, but an RSVP is needed. To RSVP, contact the Chamber at 564-2769, chamber@megavision.com or register online at TheColumbusPage.com.

Thursday, July 6th 7:00 a.m. at Ag Park

BBQ CLASSIC VENDORS:

COLUMBUS DAYS 2017 SCHEDULETHURSDAY AUGUST 177:00 PM Lawn Chairs on the Square

FRIDAY AUGUST 185:00 PM Columbus BBQ Classic 5 - 8 PM Foam Dance - 5th grade and younger6:00 PM United Way Lazy River Duck Run6:00 PM Lynette’s Dance Studio7:00 PM Pet Show 7:30 - 11:30 “On the Fritz” - Street Dance8:00 - 11:00 Foam Dance - 6th grade and older9:00 PM Melodrama - Platte Valley Playhouse “The

Perilous Passing of Prudence Proudwell”

SATURDAY AUGUST 198:00 AM All Ford Car Show 8:30 AM “I’m a Little Cutie” Baby Show 9:00 - 7:00 Inflatables 10:00 AM Daniel Christian (musician)11:00 AM United Way Duck Run awards11:00 AM Columbus BBQ Classic 11:30 AM Barb’s School of Dance & Desiree’s

Dancers11:00 - 1:00 “Rocks in a Pocket”12:30 PM “Hall of Flame” Rib Eating Contest 1:00 PM Columbus Jazz Orchestra 1:30 PM Buffalo Bill Historical Tour 2:30 PM All - City High School Drumline2:30 - 4:00 Cowboy & Cowgirl Party3:00 PM Talent Show 3:30 PM Buffalo Bill Historical Tour

4:00 PM Car Show Awards5:00 PM Heartland

Gymnastics 5:30 PM Barrel House

Blues Band 7:00 PM YMCA 1 mile

Color Run7:30 - 11:30 Eckophonic -

Street Dance7:30 PM Lip Sync Contest 9:00 - 11:00 Teen Dance

SUNDAY August 209:15 AM First United Methodist Church service11:00 AM Turtle Races 11:30 AM iDance Project 11:00 - 1:00 Agribusiness “Celebrate Ag Lunch”12:00 PM Wiener Dog Races1:00 PM Root Marm Chicken Farm Jug Band 1:00 PM Pedal Push Tractor Pull contest2:15 PM Mascot Races 3:00 PM Columbus Days Parade

August 17-20th in Downtown, Columbus

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The Streetscaping Committee of the Chamber is back at it again this summer recognizing business owners for their efforts in projecting a positive, first impression as we continue to welcome visitors, interns and potential new residents to our community.

It’s so important that as a community we project a positive, first impression as people visit Columbus for events such as Lawnchairs on the Square, Red, White, Kaboom!, Platte County Fair and Columbus

Days events, just to name a few.

The Streetscaping Committee of the Chamber is looking for businesses and organizations to present a 1st Impression Award. If you’ve seen any good candidates, contact Bonnie at the Chamber office at chamber@megavision.com or 564-2769.

HELP US RECOGNIZE GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Columbus/Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau is in the process of updating a meeting facility guide for Columbus and Platte County. This guide lists all meeting rooms and event space available in Columbus. This is your opportunity to help us promote your meeting space to groups, individuals or organizations that are looking for meeting space. Please send your meeting space information to Deb Loseke. Please include contact information, # of meeting rooms & sizes, capacity, if rental fee is required, food/beverage capabilities, room amenities, etc. The more information submitted

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram...Snap Chat? Staying on top of your social media can be overwhelming, especially if you have a small staff.

But with the help of a content calendar and some online tools such as Hootsuite, you can get a handle on things, and reach your audience.

Learn how in the next training brought to you by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and Amanda Polacek Communications Strategy.

MEETING FACILITY UPDATES NEEDED

WEBINAR: SCHEDULING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

the better to promote and find the right fit for inquiries. Also, if you desire please submit one or two photos of your facility electronically to dloseke@megavision.com. Information may be sent electronically or by mail. If you have any questions contact Deb at 564-2769. We want to help promote your facility to its maximum potential at no cost to you!!

This training will be offered online as a webinar and will also be recorded and archived on the Chamber website if you are unable to attend.

$10 for lunch if attending in-person. Register online at TheColumbusPage.com or contact Bonnie at 564-2769 or chamber@megavision.com.

Thursday, July 13th 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Chamber/Online

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The Columbus Area Chamber’s “Drive for Five” will continue to aggressively pursue bringing in new talent to fill jobs in our area, thanks to the sponsorships of our local schools and industry partners who’ve committed their support to growing the workforce in our community. 

Twenty nine organizations have pledged their support to the Drive for Five for 2017. Their sponsorships fund recruitment activities, training opportunities, and school/business partnership programs that ensure both students and professionals alike are invited to enjoy the opportunity and quality of life in and around Columbus. 

This workforce development component of the Chamber seeks out innovative strategies for filling the hundreds of open positions available in our community.  The pursuit of new residents to fill jobs is more pronounced now than ever before due to our nation’s challenging and competitive employment market.

Thanks the following sponsors for making another year of growing talent in Columbus a reality and priority:ADMARL Credit ServicesAssociated Staffing, Inc.BD Medical SystemsBD Pharmaceutical SystemsBehlen Mfg. Co.Black Hills EnergyCargill Meat SolutionsCargill ProteinCentral Confinement Service, Ltd.City of ColumbusColumbus Care & Rehabilitation CenterColumbus Community HospitalColumbus HydraulicsColumbus Public SchoolsColumbus United Federal Credit UnionCornhusker Public Power DistrictDuo-Lift Manufacturing CompanyFLEXcon CompanyHOME Real EstateJohn Crane - OrionLakeview Community SchoolsLoup Power DistrictPillen Family FarmsPinnacle BankPlatte County Board of SupervisorsPreferred Sands of GenoaSamson, LLC - Ramada ColumbusValmont Utility

THANKS DRIVE FOR FIVE SPONSORS!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!Discovery Counseling, LLC Roger Michael Goos 3005 19th Street, Suite 700 Columbus, NE 68601 (402) 606-3084 Health Care/Medical Services Sponsor: Sandie Fischer

Applied Connective Technologies Joann Porter 2508 Salebarn Rd. Albion, NE 68620 (866) 358-0109 Computer/Internet/Website Services Sponsor: Sandie Fischer

Columbus Christian Fellowship Benjamin Escoto 2410 16 St. Columbus, NE 68601 (310) 388-7708 Churches Sponsor: Sandie Fischer

Become a sponsor of the Drive for Five!

The work of attracting and retaining a skilled workforce is vital to the future success of everyone in our community.

In addition your support of workforce development, D45 will put potential employees in your hands first, and help you promote open jobs with your business.

Sign up by contacting Kara Asmus at the Chamber: 564-2769 or drive45@megavision.com

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Advanced Fire & Safety, New Member, Donna Mathis, Skipper Jessica Kuehler, and Don Sock

Great Plains Communications, Member Visit, Skipper Jessica Kuehler, Kelli Swanson and Casey Garrigan

Little Messengers, Inc., Member Visit, Skipper Jessica Kuehler, Rebecca and Clay Anderson

Amanda Polacek Communications Strategy, New Member, Skipper Jessica Kuehler and Amanda Polacek

J. Patrick’s Formal Wear, 25 Year Member, Pat Feehan and Lynda Lemp

Viaero Wireless, Ribbon Cutting, Dale Nyffeler, Viaero Staff and the Chamber Commodores

JUNE COMMODORE COFFEE CALLS

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MAY INVESTMENTS1C Church, Christopher

Decker 3E, Mike Neujahr Alpha Media - Columbus,

Lisa Cherry Associated Staffing, Leticia

Huerta Bank of the Valley, John

DuBray BankFirst, Efrain Rosas Behlen Mfg. Co., Philip

Raimondo Bierman Contracting, Mark

BiermanBig Red Printing, Gene

Walter Blazer Manufacturing, Brent

OgleBlessen, DaveBozarth Elite & Amateur

Sports Training, Jeni Bozarth Burwell, Michael, DDS,

Michael Burwell Busch Equipment Co., LLC,

Ben & David Hellbusch Can Do Auto Service, Jeff

Overturf CAS Enterprises, Inc., Clark

Swihart Center 7 Theatres, Joe

Rohloff Central Community College-

Columbus Campus, Dr. Matt Gotschall Chad’s Collision Center,

Chad Dallman Columbus Animal Hospital,

Jim & Ann Kramer Columbus Cancer Care

Foundation, Joan Keit Columbus Education

Association, Diane Garner

Columbus Family Practice, Daniel Rosenquist

Columbus Place Apartments, Sharon Niemann

Columbus Public Schools, Troy Loeffelholz

Columbus Tour & Travel, Connie Rogers

Community Tennis Association of Columbus, Prent Roth

Connecting Point/Radio Shack, Tony Kresha

Culligan Water Co. of Nebraska, Dan Zoucha

Curry Brothers Motorsports, Kristy Lichtenfeld

Deets HomeStore, Ron Deets

DiStar Industries, Darin Ditter

Dowd Industries, Larry Dowd Downtown Business

Association, Barb Siedlik Dr. Pepper Snapple Group,

Jenn Risinger Drinnin Feedlots, Jarad

Drinnin Dusters/Gottberg Brew Pub,

Adam Roberts Eagle Communications, Inc.,

Rhonda Meyerhoff Eakes Office Solutions, Larry

Anderson Edward Jones/Brad Bertsch

Financial Advisor, Brad Bertsch

El Matador, Randy Downs Farmers Insurance Group,

Christopher LaPlante Gass Haney Funeral Home,

Brad Ramaekers Geno’s, Dan Kneifel Grant and Grant, Clark Grant Great Plains Building Supply,

Anthony Bahr Grubaugh, Thomas CPA.

P.C., Tom Grubaugh Hair Forum, Jackie Romshek Heritage Furniture

Refinishing, Beverly Prothman

Hintek Business Solutions, Chad Hinze

Hinze Chiropractic Acupuncture, Randy Hinze

Hometown Insurance, Steve Barnes

Hubbard Feeds, Nick Beyer Husker Steak House, Tim

Wallick Hy-Vee Food Store, Chad

Dyhrkopp Industrial Systems and

Supply Inc., Duane Ohlrich

Kelly Jewelry, Inc., Craig Stephan

Kelly Supply, Gary Schaefer Kuhlman & Kratochvil, P.C.,

Taresa Kratochvil Lambert, RonMaster Care Carpet &

Upholstery, Jerry Jarecke Maurice’s #510, Misty FlyrMaverick Greens-

Underground Sprinkler Specialist, Derek Bopp

McDonald’s Restaurant, Greg Hall

McPhillips Distributing/Conklin, Rich McPhillips

Midwest Machine & Tool, Lowell Jepsen

Mike’s Auto Sales & Towing, Mike Fleming

Mosaic, Tracey Schlegel Mueller Sod Farm, Gary

Mueller Nebraska Business

Development Center-PTAC, Loren Kucera

Nebraska Central Railroad Co., Susie Arlt

Nebraska Dept of Labor-Columbus Career Center, Bernie Hansen

Nebraska Extension in Platte County, Allan Vyhnalek

Nebraska Sports, Sheryl Korger

Northwest Electric LLC, Ken Knapp

Paul Davis Restoration, Mike Brandenburg

PEO Chapter CH, Barb Gay Pizza Hut, Tony Bock

Platte County Agricultural Society, Brian Palmer

Quality Nail Spa, Jimmy Nguyen

Runza Drive-Inn, Steve Hughes

RVW, Inc., Mark Massman Sears, Steven Long Sherwin-Williams Company,

Phil Gengler Sno Shack/Shaved Ice, Joe

& Char McKown St. John’s Lutheran Church -

ELCA, Peter Jark-Swain St. Luke’s Rainbow

Preschool, Jessica Manak

St. Luke’s U.C.C., Tracey Moore

Stack ‘N Steak, Chuck & Deb Jensen

Sundown Motel, Dianne Wall Sylvan Learning Center,

Heather Giffrow Teammates Mentoring

Program, Tricia Faust Tire Outlet, Inc., Bob

Soulliere Tooley Drug, Dick Tooley Trouba, Jerod Law Office,

Jerod Trouba UNMC Physicians, G.

Matthew Longo US Bank, Amanda Jensen Valencia Salon, Amy

Williams VFW Post 3704, Greg Pleis Viaero Wireless, Amanda

Delano Vishay Dale, Ryan Luebbe Walgreen’s, Tim Kimberling Westbrook Lanes, John

Eckholt Window World of Northeast

Nebraska, Karla Frey Wize Buys Abbey Carpet,

Kevin Johnson Zegers Automotive, Jess

Zegers

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July 2017 Calendar of Events

Feeling green? Simply contact our office if you ’d like to switch from the printed version of the Catalyst to the electronic version that can be e-mailed to you. Call us at 402-564-2769.

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce753 33rd Ave.

Columbus, NE 68601-6427402.564.2769 Fax: 402.564.2026

chamber@megavision.comwww.thecolumbuspage.com

PRSRT STDPOPAIDCOLUMBUS, NEPERMIT #500

03 Something Good Summer Series Event Lakeview Volleyball Fireworks @ Hy-Vee 12:00 p.m.03 Red, White, KaBoom Ag Park 7:00 p.m.04 *****Chamber Office Closed In Observance of Independence Day*****06 Businessperson’s Breakfast Ag Park 7:00 a.m.07 Something Good Summer Series Event Platte County Fair– Ag Park 12:00 p.m.11 Business, Industustry, and Education Committee Chamber 7:00 a.m.12 Quality of Life Centers Chamber 8:00 a.m.12 Entrepreneurship Chamber 9:00 a.m.13 Something Good Summer Series Event Ramada 12:00 p.m.13 Industrial Leaders Breakfast Wunderlich’s 7:00 a.m.13 Commodore Call Loseke Veterinary Clinic 10:00 a.m.17 Branding Chamber 1:00 p.m.17 Mentoring Chamber 3:00 p.m.18 Finance Chamber 7:00 a.m.18 Admirals Picket Fence 7:30 a.m.18 Columbus Days Chamber 10:30 a.m.18 Taste of Columbus Chamber 12:00 p.m. 19 Something Good Summer Series Event Overhead Door Company of Columbus 11:30 a.m.19 Transportation Ramada 12:00 p.m.24 Business After Hours Cornerstone Bank 5:00 p.m.27 Networking Breakfast Chamber 8:30 a.m.27 Commodore Call Lavender Thyme 10:00 a.m.27 Something Good Summer Series Event Dynamic Life Therapy & Wellness 12:00 p.m.31 Engaging Diversity Chamber 10:00 a.m.31 Board of Directors Chamber 12:00 p.m.31 Streetscaping Chamber 1:30 p.m.