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THECATALYSTAugust 202020th Taste of Columbus takes to the road, goes onlineDue to COVID-19 and the inability to gather more than 600 guests into thesame location for its traditional beverage and appetizer taste-testings, this year’scommittee decided to change the event’s format. In addition to an online auctionheld Oct. 11, a special passport featuring restaurants and wine and spirit vendorsfrom Columbus and the surrounding area will be sold and redeemable throughMarch of 2021.Proceeds from both endeavors will be split between this year’s selected recipient,Central Community College – Columbus and the Columbus Area Chamber ofCommerce. A non-profit organization is selected each year by the Chamber’s Boardof Directors through an application process.“Central Community College in Columbus is a tremendous, locally available assetfor post-secondary education and adult training,” said Jeanne Schieffer, Chamberpresident. “CCC was selected as this year’s non-profit benefactor because of itstie to the mission and work of the Chamber. The college will use the proceeds forstudent scholarships.”CCC is excited to help plan the event.“CCC’s staff has created some unique auction items and exciting, regionalpackages families and friends will enjoy,” said CCC-Columbus President KathyFuchser. “We have everything from a culinary evening with Todd Williams, anationally recognized artist and former CCC graduate, to a Raider Rex appearancefor a child’s birthday party. Continued pg.6The Chamber Thanks Our Diamond Level Members:Follow Us!@Colnechamber1

Jeanne SchiefferMy favorite partabout working atthe Chamber is thehonor to representthe best communityin Nebraska.Sharyle Sands-Myfavorite part aboutworking at theChamber is workingwith a passionategroup of volunteers.Sandie Fischer-Myfavorite part aboutworking at theChamber is workingwith all the Chambermembers &volunteers.Kara Asmus- Myfavorite part aboutworking at theChamber is theopportunity to makea lasting impacton the future ofColumbus.Jessica CabanMy favorite partabout working atthe Chamber isconnecting withall the people ofColumbus.2Jessie Eurek-Myfavorite part aboutworking at theChamber is workingwith amazingpeople who striveto make ColumbusSOMETHING GOOD.BOARD OF DIRECTORSKen Curry(Chairman)ChadVanCleaveDr. KathyFuchserJake GableRenee MuellerTodd DurenJeff OhnoutkaSammyRenteriaFrankSteffensmeierDr. TravisTessendorfMichelle StirekCarlosVelazquezEX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:-Bill Flint, Treasurer -Mayor Jim Bulkley -Jerry Engdahl-Bernie Hansen -Karina PerezOUR MISSIONEnhancing the economic well-being andquality of life in the Columbus Area.

AUGUST SPONSORCOLUMBUS COMMUNITY HOSPITALHospitality sponsors providebeverages for meetings held at theChamber. In exchange, a sponsoris given a table to showcase theirbusiness in the board room.*Lobby Sponsors are also available! Call Sandie Fischer at (402) 5642769 to showcase your business in the Chamber lobby.UWORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTnlimited opportunity to do meaningful work hasremained a constant in our area, despite the global pandemicwhich has slashed jobs across the country. The unemploymentrate for Platte County in June was 5.6%. There are 1,035unemployed people. Most of those are temporarily furloughedand will return to work very soon. We are excited to see ouravailable labor force is the highest we have observed since thesummer of 2009. Our companies are growing and expanding,new businesses are setting up shop in our city, and schools areseeing increased enrollment. All indicators show new peopleare coming to work in Columbus.A quick glance at local job postings shows just under 900jobs are advertised in Platte county. Central CommunityCollege received a 2.4 million grant for workers retraining,helping our workforce improve skills and earn a higherincome. Eligibility requirements and the courses availablecan be found at cccneb.edu/nwri. The application processwill be closed on August 16th and classes begin August 17.There is no shortage of opportunity for those who want to goto work. That’s good news we will continue to spread.

RED,, WHITEREDWHITE,, KABOOM!THANK YOU SPONSORS!KaBoom Sponsors: Jackson Services and Ernst Auto GroupLevel Red Sponsors: Loup Public Power, District Platte Valley Precast, The Massman FamilyWhite Level Sponsors: Pinnacle Bank, Columbus Children’s Healthcare, Runza, Ken & Robin Curry, Pat & JackiePope, Gene Steffy Ford, Behlen Mfg. Company, Cornerstone BankBlue Level Sponsors: Columbus Bank & Trust Company, Kosch Financial – "In honor of all our Armed Service andall they do", Mike’s Glass Service- Mike Zastera Owner, Sleep Inn & Suites, RVW Inc. ,Milk n It Express, Tuls Dairies,Bank of the Valley, Darrell, Dan & Lori Olmer - Z Last Electric, H & R Block, Master Care Services, Pella Windows& Doors & Jerry Nauenburg, Schumacher, Smejkal, Brockhaus & Herley, P.C., BankFirst, OfficeNet, FLEXcon, B-DConstruction, Holiday Inn Express, McDonald’s, First Nebraska Bank, Ace Sanitation Service, Mitchell Peterson,Insurance Services Columbus, Columbus Steel Supply, Columbus Sertoma Club, Koch Excavating Company,Columbus Noon Kiwanis Club, ARL Credit Services, Ewert’s Drywall, Mike Greiner’s Furniture Warehouse, ParkviewTrailer Court, Doug & Karin Rieger, Deb & Tom Loseke, Lynette’s Dance Studio, Eye Physicians, P.C., Columbus Tire& Service, Tim & Kim Kwapnioski, Wayne & Lisa Ballentine, James & Nancy Hanna, John & Julie McClure, SundownMotel, Ameriprise Financial, Sam Hogeland & staff, Holiday Inn Express, Vishay, Sleep Inn & Suites, AdvancedConsulting Engineering Services

VOTEYES!In the late 1990s,NBC television beganrunning public serviceannouncements withthe tagline, “The moreyou know ”. Thepurpose was to provideuseful information ona broad range of topicsand engage parents intheir children’s learning. The tagline is a good fit for a new website launched by the City of Columbus toeducate the public as to the future library and community space.The project, which has been developed with the help of the public, brings together art space, acontemporary library, community gathering areas, and a children’s museum. The location will also becombined with our future City Hall and, together, will serve as an anchor for community use and thebenefit of all. Get to know the project by visiting a special website - https://buildingtogethercolumbus.org/. There you can watch a presentation which walks you through the project, the facility’s amenities,and the advantages such a community facility will provide Columbus. Take some time to watch theoverview, because the more you know the more you will want to vote for the project in November.THE MORE YOU KNOW.ABOUT THE LIBARYAGRIBUSINESS & TRANSPORTATION SPEAKERThe Chamber's Agribusiness & TransportationCommittees have invited Jessica Kolterman of theLincoln's Premuim Poultry operations to speak onAugust 27 at the Ramada at noon. Jessica willspeak about topics including: truck traffic, wherethe chickens come from, the benefits of having betteraccess from and the chicken barns southwest of theplant. This is a great opportunity to meet Chamber members, butalso to be educated about issues that affect our local economyand infrastructure.If you are interested in attending, call (402) 564-2769 by Aug.24 to RSVP.5

ContiuedThe auction also includes stay-and-playgolf packages, an originally designedwine bar, singing valentines, family zoopackages, home goods, outdoor items andso much more.”Meanwhile, the “Experience Columbusand the surrounding area” passportwill feature some of the best food andbeverage vendors this area has to offeralong, with the opportunity to redeem theculinary specials into March of next year. Inaddition to supporting the October event,the passports will make terrific holidaygifts for employees, spouses, and friends.Passport sales will begin in Septemberalong with the launch of a dedicatedwebsite for all the silent, super-silentand grand auction items and packages.If you are interested in donating an itemor including your restaurant or wine andspirit venue in the passport, contact theChamber of Commerce at 402-564-2769or info@columbuschamber.org.This year’s event is chaired by Kathy andDean Fuchser and Karin and Doug Rieger.The 2021 Taste of Columbus recipient isColumbus’ Habitat for Humanity.FIVE NEWCOMMODORE VISITSAs businesses open up, the Chamber Commodoreshave been requested to visit new businesses. TheColumbus Area Chamber of Commerce is excitedto announce the monthof August will consistof five CommodoreCalls with businessesincluding: WemhoffConsulting, Red DoorDesigns, ColumbusArea Convention &Visitors Bureau, Mental &Behavioral Health, Inc., andPee Wees South Side Oil Lube and Repair.The September calendar is filling up fast, so don'tmiss your opportunity to have the Commodores visityour business!-Sharyle Sands, Vice-PresidentNew Chamber Members-Jeffrey MulderIndividual Member6-Dana Liebig1913 23rd Street Columbus, NE 68601(402) 835-5579

LOOK WHO'S A CHAMBER MEMBER3E, Richard BerglandLuminesque, Angelia ShullA & M Business Printing, Al & Mary LerchMcPhillips Distributing/Conklin, Rich McPhillipsA.L.M. Services, Alan MicekMerry Maids, Ruth HespenAll About Nails, Keri Hobza & Renae EvansMidwest Machine & Tool, Lowell JepsenArbonne International, Marie KapelsModern Asset Management, LLC, Jan SchmeitsBank of the Valley, John DuBrayNext Generation Kiwanis Club of Columbus, Kaylen BiltoftBusch Equipment Co., LLC, Ben & David HellbuschNorthwest Electric LLC, Ken KnappCasey's General Store, Kristie MehaffeyOlson's Pest Technicians, PR & Karla OlsonCentral Sand and Gravel, Mel KuceraOptometric Center of Columbus, P.C., K.M. HobbsCentury 21 Realty Team, Kimberly HoeferPeace Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Pastor MichaelKlattColumbus Animal Hospital, Dr. Jim & Ann KramerColumbus Area Recreational Trails, David ScharffColumbus Cancer Care Foundation, Joan Keit, M.D.Columbus Education Association, Joni EbelColumbus Motor Company, Dave WhalenColumbus Noon Rotary Club, Bob StachuraColumbus Sertoma Club, Janice HamiltonColumbus Tire & Service Center, Inc., Bob StachuraCopper Care Wood Preservatives, Inc, William AbbottCottonwood Inn, Dianne WallCountry View Estates, Doug AdamyD.A. Davidson, Brian Bunke & Terry Millard &Pam SoudersPinnacle Bank, Dann SmithPlatte County Food Pantry, Donna EpleyRegion V Services, Gwen HeinReinhardt, EldaS.T.A.R. Escape Rooms LLC, Randy & Joanne MuellerSamson, Inc., Scott MuellerSchlesinger GarySears Hometown Store, Steven LongSherwin-Williams Company, Matt SiemekStealth Broadband, Klint ArnoldThe Heritage at Meridian Gardens, Rachelle CongdonTooley Drug, Dick TooleyDeets HomeStore, Ron DeetsTorin Products, Inc., Thomas BernsteinDowntown Business Association, Kevin JohnsonTotal Car Care, Mark FoustEl Tapatio, Fernando & Teresa LopezTrautwein, Robert & JudyEller Heating, Air Conditioning, & Plumbing, JanBeckerTrouba, Jerod Law OfficeEwert's Drywall Inc., Douglas EwertFunkhouser Construction & Home Inspection,Michael FunkhouserGoc's Properties, LLC, Toby GocHadley-Braithwait Co., Jon KiserHusker Trading, Ken McMeekinJarecki Maul P.C., L.L.O., Tom M. MaulU.S. Cellular, Christy LarsonWindow World of Northeast Nebraska, Karla FreyXcel Roofing, Katrina CarnesTHANK YOU!7