It’s Awards Season! Recognizing Grinnell Area Businesses

You might have read our stories behind our Chamber Ambassador visits — we visited over 40 businesses in 2025! Now, it’s time to recognize the business community and celebrate those who have gone the extra mile.

This morning, a group of our Chamber Ambassadors came together to discuss what makes for an Award Winner. At the Chamber’s Annual Celebration event, businesses will be recognized in four categories: Business of the Year; Restaurant/Retailer of the Year; Service Business of the Year; and GRINNTogether. Does a business come to mind for you?

“We love to receive as many nominations from the community as possible,” shares Rachael Kinnick, president of the Grinnell Chamber. “It’s always fun to review the nominations, recalling all the incredible work and progress our businesses and organizations have accomplished.”

Many businesses have done great work this past year — some have seen their customer base grow to over hundreds of customers, while others have gone viral on multiple social media platforms. Meanwhile, some organizations have onboarded a new, bigger staff, and others have dedicated themselves to sharing Grinnell news to locals and beyond — just like last year’s Business of the Year Award winner, the Grinnell Herald Register!

“When I think about nominating, I think of a good experience I’ve had with a business or the work I’ve seen them do online,” says Jennifer McAlexander, Chamber Ambassador and business owner of Hawkeye Lock & Security. “Then I think of where they would fit within the award categories.”

For some, a good experience with a business might be experiencing their downtown business in the evening hours, while for others, recognizing businesses or organizations that have sponsored public events related to performing arts and music. For others, fundraising for non-profit organizations or hosting food drives on behalf of another organization is what makes a business or organization worthy of one of the Chamber’s annual awards.

What makes a business worthy in your eyes? Is it the diversity a restaurant brings in their food offerings? Growing an already established business? Becoming a community hub? Championing and offering health services? Battling food insecurity? Whatever it is that matters to you, we want to hear about the businesses you believe should be recognized for their efforts!

Award nominations are due by 5 PM on Fri., Feb. 6. Afterward, a committee reviews all submissions and makes final deliberations. During the Chamber’s Annual Celebration, winners are announced! This year, the event will take place on the evening of Wed., March 4. The event will feature a guest speaker, provide dinner, and present the annual awards ceremony. The Annual Celebration will also celebrate the Chamber’s work and outline efforts for the upcoming year. The event is open to the public, encouraging any community members to attend.

Tickets for the Annual Celebration will be available soon on the Grinnell Chamber website. To nominate a business, complete the nomination form online: https://www.grinnellchamber.org/events/annual_celebration/.

Chamber Ambassadors:

• Ashley Sorensen — Volunteer Iowa
• Blake Pearson — Converge Chiropractic PLLC
• Brandy Virchow — B. Nicole Salon
• Dan McCue — McCue & Associates LLC - American Family Insurance
• Donna Fischer — UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
• Fran Conn
• Jennifer McAlexander — JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security
• Monica St. Angelo — Grinnell Area Arts Council
• Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
• Rachael Kinnick — Grinnell Chamber
• Trent Arment — MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
• Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber