Harvest Fest - Apple Pie contest (file photo courtesy Atlantic Chamber)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the BPO DOES have once again teamed-up for this year’s Harvest Fest in Atlantic, to help raise funds for the DOES Scholarship Fund. As part of Harvest Fest, which takes place this Saturday, October 8^th, an Apple Pie Contest will be held, with AtlantiCash prizes of $50 for the blue ribbon winner in the amateur division, and $25 for the runner-up. Winner of the commercial division will be awarded the title of “Best Apple Pie in Atlantic” with a framed certificate for their restaurant or bakery. Pies should be delivered to the Chamber by no later than noon, Saturday, in order to be considered for the contest.

Chamber Executive Director Megan Roberts says “Each year, the Chamber and the DOES partner up for the apple pie contest to help raise funds for the DOES scholarship fund.” She adds that with a scoop of ice cream on top, there’s “Never a crumb left to taste.” There will also be a Smoked Meat Cook-off held in conjunction with Harvest Fest this year. Pulled pork, brisket sandwiches and smoked ribs will be available for purchase with chips and drink also to enjoy during the Atlantic Fire Department entertainment from 4- to 6-p.m. before the Firemen’s Parade. Roberts says “The Atlantic Firemen will have a unique team of horses and a drum corps stepping team performing,“ while dinner is served. For more information contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or e-mail megan@atlanticiowa.com.

Local business leaders and potential entrepreneurs are invited to attend a “Lunch and Learn” session to be held in Atlantic next week. The session, being held October 11^th at the historic Rock Island Depot, is sponsored by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and is designed to provide the tools business leaders need to ensure they’re able to reach their full potential.

The Lunch and Learn takes place from 11:30-a.m. to 1:00-p.m., and is open to Chamber members, and non-members alike. Guest speaker is Bob Clements, a business coach from the E-Myth business

Bob Clements

 development system. The philosophy behind E-Myth focuses on designing businesses the work for the owner. The program has been in existence for more than 30-years, and the seminar is based on a best selling book detailing why most small businesses don’t work, and what to do about it.

Clements, a trained and certified Senior E-Myth Coach, has served as a practicing business attorney, bank counsel, Chamber of Commerce president, and consultant. The seminar, and Clements’ presentation, will ask business owners to question everything they think they know about business, to consider that their experience may be their worst teacher instead of the best, and to ponder what they have been doing incorrectly that repeatedly produces the same results.

Tickets for the seminar and lunch are $20 for Chamber members, or $30 for non-members. They’re available from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Persons interested in attending should make their reservations by no later than this Friday, October 7^th. To do so, call 712-243-3017, or e-mail Nicky Christensen at nicky@atlanticiowa.com

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new monthly survey of business managers suggests weak economic growth will continue in nine Midwest and Plains states with little chance of another recession in the region. The overall economic index released Monday increased to 52.2 in September from August’s 52, and any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next few months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region is being helped by the relative strength of businesses tied to agriculture or exports.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Even though the region’s economy looks OK, the business leaders surveyed aren’t very confident about their prospects. The survey’s confidence index slid to 40.5 in September from August’s 43.4 as concerns about Europe’s economy continued to grow.