Grow

Small business owners live closer to reality than anyone else in the economy. We feel changes immediately—cash flow matters. Timing matters. People matter. There is very little margin for error, and very little room for fantasy. As a result, flexibility is not a buzzword for small businesses. It is survival. More than that, it is […]

Just as your house regularly needs organizing and deep cleaning, so do your finances. Follow these six tips to clean up your finances, enabling you to achieve financial clarity so you can live the full and meaningful life you’ve imagined.  Maintaining your important financial documents and information in one place is key. Create a master

While the Olympic Games may be over, Siouxland is still bringing home the gold. Site Selection magazine recently ranked the Sioux City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as the top spot for economic development for the 12th time! When ranked among cities of our size, we lead the country in total projects. You might be asking,

Why do I choose to be positive about Sioux City? Because positivity—when it’s grounded in reality—is an act of commitment. Yes, we have potholes. We have aging infrastructure, tight budgets, and real, valid frustrations. Pretending otherwise helps no one. Honest optimism doesn’t ignore problems; it faces them head-on and says this place is still worth

Each year, Downtown Partners takes a step back from the day-to-day to look ahead. At our annual board retreat, our 15-member Board of Directors comes together to reflect on progress, align our priorities, and shape the work plan that will guide the year ahead.   The annual retreat also coincides with the release of our 2025

As we step into 2026, small businesses face one of the most dynamic, unpredictable, and opportunity-rich environments we’ve witnessed in decades. I spent years at the SBDC helping more than 150 businesses launch and more than 250 expand, guiding owners through recessions, recoveries, supply-chain shocks, and technology disruptions. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned,