Building Community
Workforce attraction and retention is a strategic priority in the Chamber’s program of work to help achieve economic growth and prosperity for residents. Our Building CommUNITY program was designed to welcome all people to the community, with a focus on what North Iowans can do to make newcomers feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in the region.
In a Building CommUNITY workshop, participants discussed barriers and ideas for individuals, workplaces, and the community. They discussed belonging, trainings, and what could be implemented in their workplaces to help move the needle on inclusion and employee retention. There are a lot of possibilities in this space, but here are some suggestions the Chamber heard on how to help facilitate the effort:
- Be persistent – Keep offering programming. It’s an important effort and businesses see the value, even if they are slow to adapt.
- Direct people to assistance – Businesses and individuals in the community need resources and answers.
- Make a business case for Building CommUNITY – Show how this effort can help with staff morale and employee retention.
The Chamber’s Workforce Committee will continue to adapt as needed to ensure businesses see the value in Building CommUNITY. Together, we can all work to build a place of pride, safety, and belonging in North Iowa.
Building CommUNITY Mural
To call attention to the program and rally support for the Building CommUNITY initiative, the Chamber hired local artist Zoie Papouchis to design a “paint-by-number” mural in a highly-visible location. Community members from businesses, youth groups, service clubs, senior citizens, and disabled residents from group homes are helping paint a new mural located on the north side of Community Health Center in downtown Mason City. The goal is to provide a visible testament that Mason City is welcoming to everyone.
