
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Whether you plan to transform your business idea into a new company, grow your current business and customer base, or expand into a new location, the Ankeny Area Chamber is here to help. We offer resources that will support you and help your business reach the next level of success. Scroll down this page to view the list of resources that the Chamber and area organizations offer.
HOME BASE IOWA
Ankeny is a Home Base Iowa Community. We have employers and businesses ready and able to welcome military personnel who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life. Home Base Iowa connects Iowa businesses with qualified veterans and their spouses looking for career opportunities.
ANKENY BUSINESS & INDUSTRY COLLABORATIVE
(formerly Ankeny Economic Development Corporation)
More information to come.
CITY OF ANKENY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Economic Development Department provides comprehensive services to existing and prospective Ankeny businesses by assisting with site and building information, financial assistance, and guidance through all stages of investing in and growing a business in Ankeny.
ADDITIONAL SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
Ankeny Area Chamber Annual Award Nominations
Nominations can be sent to info@ankeny.org. Due date is November 1st.
Awards are given at our Annual Dinner on February 20, 2025.
Small Business of the Year
Employee of the Year
Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Small Business Development Center of Iowa
The Iowa Small Business Development Center (Iowa SBDC) provides no-cost business advice and resources when growing or starting a business in Iowa. The center is located in Des Moines and provides one-on-one no-fee, confidential counseling to existing business owners and would-be entrepreneurs in Dallas, Jasper, Marion, Polk and Warren counties, in addition to providing workshops and seminars.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Cultivation Corridor
Iowa’s multi-dimensional ag startup ecosystem provides end-to-end solutions for ag entrepreneurs and startups at any stage of planning or development. Whether you are a student entrepreneur needing access to resources, a mid-stream startup needing customized consulting or a more mature startup in the customer acquisition phase, we have the tools, connections and resources to support your foray into the global ag tech revolution.
Pappajohn Education Center
The John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center has provided exceptional programs to the Des Moines area since its founding in 2008. The center builds on the UI’s heritage of outreach to cities across the state, offering leading degree programs and coursework in a state-of-the-art facility.
Venture School
Master the startup process with the premier statewide Venture School, an innovative training program focused on real-world experimentation, customer discovery, and Lean LaunchPad methodologies. With hub locations across the state, the program allows Iowa entrepreneurs to reap its benefits. This program works for startups, small businesses, non-profits, and corporate innovation teams.
DMACC - Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
DMACC and all of the Iowa Community Colleges are proud to partner with Goldman Sachs to positively impact and encourage growth for small businesses throughout the State of Iowa. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital and business support services.
IASourceLink
IASourceLink is where business begins in Iowa. IASourceLink connects Iowa entrepreneurs to a network of 360+ nonprofit resource organizations that provide business-building services. We facilitate the linking of these resource organizations to one another and to established, emerging and start-up small businesses.
One Economy
OEFDC empowers underserved communities in Central Iowa to create financial stability and wealth by providing training, coaching, and loans to individuals and small business owners.
OEFDC is a spin-off of The Directors Council One Economy initiative. We work with partners to eliminate racial, economic, and other disparities in the Black community by addressing five key areas: Financial Inclusion, Employment, Education, Housing, and Health. We work primarily in the greater Des Moines area.
U.S. Small Business Administration- Iowa
Our office provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. We can also connect you to our partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
GET INVOLVED IN THE GROWTH OF ANKENY AREA BUSINESS

DEREK LORD
Economic Development Director, City of Ankeny
515-965-6430
dlord@ankenyiowa.gov
410 W. 1st St.
Ankeny, IA 50023

KIM SCHAAF
Ankeny Business & Industry Collaborative
515-964-0747
kim.schaaf@AnkenyBIC.org
1360 SW Park Sq Drive Suite 104-106-108
Ankeny, IA 50023