Featured Priority Tour on Small Business Support with Senator Ernst

The Greater Des Moines Partnership, along with the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Winterset, hosted Senator Joni Ernst at Angel Wings & CT and Aerie Lofts Airbnb to highlight the need for small business support. As part of its advocacy efforts, The Partnership is working with all members of Iowa's Congressional delegation to plan events in Greater Des Moines (DSM) during the remainder of 2021 to discuss featured policy priorities for the region. This event focused on The Partnership’s Federal Featured Priority of Small Business Support, inviting several small business owners to a roundtable discussion with Senator Ernst in Winterset. This roundtable was an example of how intersections between the public and private sectors are needed to support small businesses and how shopping local can help Madison County and the entire region of DSM grow.

Angel Wings & CT and Aerie Loft Airbnb

The Madison County Chamber of Commerce celebrates our businesses, like Angel Wings & CT, in our community and in our Chamber. Angels Wings & CT is owned by Nicole and Jason Kems and they have been in business for 16 years, nine of which have been spent in the brick-and-mortar historic downtown square of Winterset. Angel Wings & CT offers a unique collection of women’s fashion, accessories, home décor and re-purposed vintage items.

Above the store is a freshly renovated Airbnb, Aerie Loft. This farmhouse-style apartment faces the Madison County Courthouse and is conveniently located near many of our Chamber Member’s shops, restaurants and bars. Aerie Lofts invites visitors from around the state to enjoy the Hallmark-esque downtown square of Winterset.

Small Business Roundtable

Senator Ernst joined several other Madison County Chamber Member’s small business owners in a roundtable discussion about recent legislation, concerns with supply production lines and workforce. Senator Ernst answered questions regarding clean energy and trade deals, focusing primarily on the work that she is doing to support the residents and businesses of Madison County.

Senator Ernst voted in support of the CARES Act, which implemented several programs to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and grants for small and mid-sized businesses. This $2 trillion package set aside $367 billion specifically for small business loans and grants to keep our Members in business. Thank you, Senator Ernst, for supporting our communities’ small businesses. We hope to see more small business support legislation pass through Congress.

The roundtable was joined by a variety of small businesses including: Rosa’s Boutique, Winterset Livery, Covered Bridges Winery, Big Rack Brew Haus, Easton’s and the Heartland Building.

Stay tuned for The Partnership’s future Featured Priority Tour events with other members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation.

The Partnership's Public Policy team engages with local, state and federal officials to create public policy that generates economic growth, business prosperity and talent development in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The Partnership is a nonpartisan organization.