Members of Clear Valley Business Connections (CVBC) enjoyed a canoe trip down the Mississippi River before their quarterly meeting July 13. The group embarked from Clear Waters Outfitting, paddled down the river and arrived at Eagle Trace Golf Course for the meeting.

 

The group was informed Clearwater is looking into food truck regulations and that Kwik Trip is scheduled to start building in August. The city is looking for new people to join the park board; April Vasecka from Irrigation Management volunteered.

 

Clearwater Family and Sedation Dentistry recently moved into their new facility between T.O. Plastics and the Mississippi River; their old building is now up for lease. Purple Prairie Botanicals will be moving into the strip mall American Heritage Bank is located in; the business is currently run out of the owner’s home.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner updated the group on happenings in Clear Lake, including the quiet zone he’s been working on, the Hunter Bluffs temporary park, and a new manufacturing company moving into the city. He said McDonald’s Meats will be breaking ground on their new expansion Aug. 1.

 

Goenner informed the group that after years of lobbying, Clear Lake and Clearwater had finally received money for their joint sewer project. Sewage will be pumped into geobags, which after 10 to 12 years becomes similar to a grade A potting soil. He hopes the project will begin next year.

 

President Lori Johnson said they’d received good feedback on their first Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake Business Expo April 2, and were looking for people to head up the committee for next year. Kaitlyn Vrchota from Clearview Eye Clinic and Shalynn Reid from SNAP Fitness volunteered.

 

Johnson reminded attendees the Clearwater/Clear Lake Community Guide had recently come out, which the CVBC had worked with the Citizen-Tribune to start a number of years ago. Businesses that would like more guides should contact Johnson or the Citizen-Tribune office. The CVBC Business Guide is also available; the next edition will be updated to include new businesses.

 

She also reminded the group anyone could hold a Good Morning Clear Valley get together any time of year to highlight their company; in April Authority Fence & Deck hosted the event. If a business doesn’t have a large enough facility the organization will find one for them.

 

Vice President Pastor Steve Timm updated the group on Rejoice/St. Luke’s Honoring Those Who Serve event held in May, and said it will become an annual service.

 

Secretary Jenny Massmann told the group CVBC’s email and Facebook pages had been updated.

 

A discussion was held on what the group could do with the money in their account that would benefit all businesses. Timm suggested donating money to the community food shelf. The matter was tabled for a future meeting.

 

Johnson asked everyone to invite another businessperson to attend their next meeting in October.

 

“We’re a stronger community when we work together,” she said. “And when businesses leave communities die.”

 

The next CVBC meeting will be Oct. 12 at 11:30 at Eagle Trace Golf Club. After the meeting members are invited to play a round of golf.