Back in May 2024, Jessica Trivedi couldn’t resist stopping in the Merchant’s National Bank next to Central Park.
“Having lived in Chicago, I am a big fan of Louis Sullivan’s architecture,” says Trivedi. “The building was one of the draws of living here.”
When she toured the building, she met Kendra Vincent, the Grinnell Chamber’s membership engagement coordinator at the time. “She realized I was moving here and said I should come to their New Resident Welcome event the following week,” recounts Trivedi.
Trivedi wasn’t the only new resident to town. Jeanne Hoff was ready to move on to a new place, too — growing up in a military household, Hoff recalled not having a home base and finally wanted to set roots.
“Once my mom passed away in 2023 and my children moved out, we were finally having a choice of where to live,” says Hoff. “So we looked at North Carolina, Tennessee, and Iowa.”
Then, a little stop to Grinnell confirmed this was where she and her husband needed to be. “I did lots of research on the town,” recounts Hoff. “And part of what I found is that this town has a solid newspaper…that doesn’t really exist in small towns anymore.”
Both Trivedi and Hoff were ready to be and stay connected with all things Grinnell — enter New Resident Welcome.
New Resident Welcome, presented by REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell, is now on its 6th run, hosted by the Grinnell Chamber each spring and fall. Businesses and organizations set up fair-style and welcome residents with swag, information, and more!
“Feeling we were welcome here was a complete game changer,” says Trivedi. Trivedi and her husband met the owners of Hawkeye Lock & Security, and her daughter bonded with a new friend over a similar interest in volleyball.
At New Resident Welcome, Hoff also didn't walk away empty-handed. Not only was she delighted to be away from her last town’s traffic congestion and fast-paced life, she left with a primary care physician, a list of ways to connect and volunteer, and of course, met some seasoned residents.
And she’s coming back on Thursday, May 28 from 4-6 PM! New Resident Welcome is open to the general community and is perfect for those who are curious about events, volunteer opportunities, and businesses to explore — plus, it is happening at the same time as Grinnell Farmers Market, so why not hit two birds with one stone? Grinnell College students staying over the summer and living in town post-graduation are also invited to join.
“I am always impressed with how Grinnell supports their residents — I still use the Grinnell Chamber’s Facebook for their weekend list of events,” Hoff laughs.
And Trivedi? She gives tours now at the very same building she fell in love with. In fact, she’s planning to help have it open for guests during next week’s New Resident Welcome!
Know a new resident? If you register a resident (make sure they name you as a referral!), you will be entered to win a giveaway! We are 25% of the way to our goal — help us reach some more residents: https://www.grinnellchamber.org/events/new_resident_welcome/
If your business or organization is interested in setting up a vendor booth at New Resident Welcome, register through the Chamber Member Message sent on May 19, 2026 or call 641-236-6555.
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
- Dan McCue — McCue & Associates LLC - American Family Insurance
- Fran Conn
- Nicolle Donnelly — Poweshiek Insurance Agency
- Becky Broadston — Comfort Inn & Suites
- Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber
- Dedee Lehman — All In Real Estate Inc.
- Jennifer McAlexander — JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security
- Jeanne Hoff — New(er) Resident
- Jessica Trivedi — New(er) Resident
- Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
- Donnette Ellis — Grinnell College & Grinnell College Community Connections
- Ashley Sorensen — Volunteer Iowa
- Monica St. Angelo — Grinnell Area Arts Council
- Donna Fischer — UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
- Evan Petig — The Grinnellian
- Monique Shore — PFLAG Grinnell Poweshiek
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