Everywhere you look, Iowans are uniting like never before. While times may be tough right now, we’re seeing it won’t stop the great people in the state from supporting one another. Many have taken to social media to help those in their communities, share helpful resources or to simply highlight something positive to bring joy to others. The Week in Social will round up the best of #IowansUnite and share these uplifting stories.
Eastern Iowa drive-in theater shows modern blockbusters in a throwback fashion | The Gazette https://t.co/kroIoyLx20
— Traveler Christoph (@Ctrappe_Travel) July 20, 2020
Drive-in theaters are a staple of summer and you can find one of the best in Iowa five miles south of Maquoketa in Delmar. There, you can experience the 61 Drive-in Theatre, which has been showing blockbusters for the past 70 years.
While waiting for the movie to start, there are plenty of ways to fill the time. “We have a swing set, sandbox, tetherballs, basketball, volleyball net, wiffle ball diamond and free kiddie train rides for people who come early to get their favorite parking spot,” said Dennis Voy, who has owned the theater since 1972.
Most of the movies shown are family-friendly and tickets are available for bargain prices. Tickets range from $5 to $9, with kids under the age of 3 getting in for free. The drive-in is open six days a week from June until August and are open on weekends in May and September.
With nearly 10,000 small and medium-sized sellers on Amazon from Iowa, the state took home the title of the most digital entrepreneurs per capita in the country. Amazon released a new analysis that finds Iowa as the leader of the nation in per-capita number of small and medium-sized businesses selling through their website. The analysis also found that Iowa businesses are increasing their sales the fastest on average among Amazon stores.
“Iowa is home to thousands of small and medium-sized businesses selling in Amazon’s stores, and we’re working hard to support their growth despite the global pandemic,” said Keri Cusick, head of small business empowerment at Amazon.
#Amazon names #Iowa top state for digital entrepreneurs https://t.co/iOMkWSCfiU @BusinessIOWA @TechnologyIowa @1MillionCupsDSM @gravitate @DSMpartnership @clayandmilk
— Jay Byers (@jaybyers) July 22, 2020
Did you know that the Iowa Finance Authority has programs specifically created to help beginning farmers? Learn more about our beginning farmer programs at https://t.co/UkANXriOnI pic.twitter.com/vgsEg7unpe
— IFA (@IowaFinance) July 23, 2020
Being a farmer is no easy job. Luckily, Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) has tools to help beginner farmers obtain enough capital to pursue their dreams of a future in agricultural production.
IFA’s Beginning Farmer Loan Program helps new farmers secure farmland, buildings, machinery, or breeding livestock at reduced interest rates. Also, the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program offers an incentive to landowners for leasing their farmland, machinery or equipment to beginning farmers. The programs are designed to help continue Iowa’s rich history and tradition of farmers for generations to come.
Open 4 Business is a statewide contest that was held in Des Moines on Tuesday, where five businesses held a virtual pitch. Pressed, a Spencer-based business that produces handcrafted jewelry, apparel and more took the top prize, walking away with a $20,000 grant from Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Programs.
“Our competitors have not only done what it takes to survive the extraordinary economic impact of the past few months, they also have dared to dream big,” said Director Debi Durham. “These small businesses exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment that is evident in our Main Street communities statewide.”
Pressed in Spencer topped four competitors in a virtual pitch contest, the final round of a statewide Open 4 Business contest. Pressed owners Kristen and Eric Meeter will receive a $20,000 grant from IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and @MainStreetIowa programs. pic.twitter.com/QTOhtikgRZ
— Iowa Economic Dev (@BusinessIOWA) July 21, 2020
As Iowa girls battle for the championships, Iowa PBS is preparing to provide live coverage of the championship action, heartache and victories. Don't miss the 2020 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships, next Thursday & Friday.
— Iowa PBS (@IowaPBS) July 23, 2020
Learn more >>> https://t.co/T9cEXRS6O1 pic.twitter.com/bbkBuJNf5h
Iowa PBS will broadcast live coverage of the state championship action to give everyone a ticket to the competition. During the 2020 Iowa Girls High School State Athletic Union (IGHSAU) Girls State Softball Championships, Iowa PBS will broadcast live on iowapbs.org, YouTube and Facebook.
This Thursday, July 30, you can catch the 5A and 4A Championships at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. Check back on Friday for the 3A, 2A and 1A championships, starting at 2:30 p.m. Fans can also interact with Iowa PBS’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts to check out the high-stakes action. To interact with other viewers, be sure to use the hashtag #iowapbssports.
