Member Feature Stories
Celebrating our members at Investor level and above.
Ahrens Foundation
Investor- Level
The Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that invests back into Grinnell and Poweshiek County. Established in 1993, the foundation has grown from a legacy of community reinvestment into a strategic force of growth for projects throughout the county.
The Foundation describes itself as more than a funder, focusing on long-term partnerships and investments that create lasting impact. Poweshiek County is central to its mission, and the organization is committed to supporting opportunities that help the region thrive.
The Foundation joined Poweshiek Development because it believes economic vitality is essential to a strong community. It values opportunities to stay engaged, informed, and collaborative while supporting local businesses and sustainable growth. Looking ahead, the Foundation sees continued opportunity through collaboration, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and quality-of-life investments.
Grinnell College
Investor- Level
Grinnell College: College and Community, Connected
Founded in 1846, Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Iowa that enrolls approximately 1,700 students from around the world. Grinnell’s strong academic program emphasizes free inquiry, the open exchange of ideas and a commitment to social responsibility and action. Central to that mission is putting knowledge into action — connecting what happens on campus with the world around us and creating opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn from and contribute to the communities of which we are a part.
Grinnell College and the surrounding community intersect in countless ways. Students, faculty and staff partner with local schools, nonprofits, businesses, government and community organizations; volunteer throughout the region; and collaborate on projects that respond to community-identified priorities. Students gain valuable experience through internships, service, research and community-engaged learning, while community partners bring knowledge, perspective and expertise that enrich the educational experience at Grinnell.
As a major employer and economic partner, the college is also a major economic engine for the region. Grinnell contributes to the vitality of the region through employment, development and investment. College resources and partnerships with other local organizations have helped advance initiatives related to education, housing, downtown development, entrepreneurship, health and well-being, and other community priorities.
The connection is also cultural and social. Concerts, lectures, exhibitions, athletic events, performances and other activities welcome community members to campus, while Grinnell students, faculty and staff are active participants in organizations and events throughout the community. In turn, neighbors help make Grinnell a home for students from around the world. Through the Office of International Student Affairs’ Friends of International Students (FIS) program, local hosts build friendships with students across cultures, languages and generations — creating a valuable bridge between campus and community that enriches the lives of students and hosts alike.
At the heart of all of this work is partnership. Grinnell College recognizes that the strength of the College and the strength of its community are deeply connected. By sharing ideas and resources, building relationships and working toward common goals, the College and its community partners create opportunities that benefit Grinnell, Poweshiek County and the broader region.
Learn more about Grinnell College and the many ways it connects with its community at grinnell.edu.
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Grinnell State Bank
Investor- Level
A family-owned institution for nearly 101 years, Grinnell State Bank has been a foundational part of Poweshiek County's financial landscape since reorganizing as an independent community bank in 1925. Today, third, fourth, and fifth-generation family members still work on-site daily, bringing deep local roots to personalized, full-service banking.
As a Poweshiek Development member, Grinnell State Bank plays a vital role in strengthening the local economy - reinvesting in the community through loans that help local businesses grow. They believe a strong, vibrant county depends on preserving the "hometown feel" that makes Poweshiek County special, powered by the people whose "Iowa Nice" attitude creates a community spirit hard to find elsewhere.