Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce officials met recently with Cass Atlantic Economic Development Corporation and the City of Atlantic, to discuss next steps for overall business development in Atlantic. Mayor Dave Jones said at the meeting, “We have had several stores close on Main Street over the past six months and the community and businesses are concerned. We need a retail recruitment committee in place, to fill the needs.”

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says it is working to coordinate efforts to create an economic restructuring/business development committee. The group’s focus will be assessments of the current community and downtown district. It’s hoped this will help Atlantic know and better understand the community and downtown district’s needs. The group will also focus on business retention, expansion, property development within the business district and recruitment.

Dawn Marnin, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce President, said “We are a business based organization and we want to work together to be a resource to our current businesses. Also, we need to have the right tools and implementation steps for existing and potential new businesses to be successful. “We are all sitting at the table for the same reason, to grow Atlantic.”

Officials say Atlantic continues to move forward and grow. Within the last 18 months five new businesses – just within the Chamber Membership – have been established in Atlantic. They include: The Bike Farm, Eastside Salon, Megan Roberts – State Farm, Robinson Landscaping & Patio Design LLC, and TS Bank.  Several other businesses have made Atlantic home as well, including: Atlantic Lock Smith, Simply Skin Care, 712 Lounge, A-Town Smoke Shake and mostly recently, Picker’s Parlor.

Officials say the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass Atlantic Economic Development Corporation (CADCO) and City of Atlantic, will continue to work together to grow Atlantic and have agreed that their next action will be to meet with Jim Thompson, Business Consultant, Iowa Economic Development Authority, to discuss the best next steps.  The goal of a Market Analysis Study is to create implementation steps to improve the current economic and business climate through redevelopment and revitalization.