Chamber Ambassadors Tour New Hamilton County Development Offices at Sashi Station

This month, Chamber Ambassadors had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated Hamilton County Development offices during their monthly Ambassadors meeting. Cindy Im, Hamilton County Development Director, led the group through the facility, located at Sashi Station, 1610 Collins Street—formerly known as Webster City Medical. The complex underwent extensive renovations in 2024 to accommodate the consolidation of several county departments. This countywide initiative was designed to reduce the number of properties while improving accessibility and efficiency of services for Hamilton County residents.

Cindy shared insights into the broad scope of work handled by the Hamilton County Development office, which supports not only Webster City but also rural communities across the county. The office works closely with City Clerks, rural betterment groups, and local stakeholders to locate resources, develop marketing strategies, and promote countywide visitor attractions. A key initiative led by the Hamilton County Development is enabling low-income Hamilton County homeowners to stay in their homes, utilizing the Heart of Iowa Regional Housing Trust grant program to make needed repairs.

One of the department’s major achievements is the Hamilton County Childcare Initiative, a public-private partnership formed to address the county's childcare shortage—a key factor impacting local labor force participation.

The Chamber and Hamilton County Development frequently collaborate on initiatives like the annual Destination Guide, distributed to visitor and welcome centers throughout Iowa, showcasing the county as a vibrant place to live, work, and explore. New this year, Hamilton County Development is producing a regional relocation guide intended to aid new residents in acclimating to the area.

Among the department’s standout projects are its management and promotion of self-guided driving tours, including the well-loved Barn Quilts tour, the Ghost Town tour, and tours of historic cemeteries, country schools, and notable landmarks.

In addition to learning about Hamilton County Development, Ambassadors were introduced to other departments housed at Sashi Station, including:

Pam Harklau, Hamilton County Public Health
Amanda Kwalkaff, Hamilton County Community Services & Veterans Affairs
Jamie Flugstad, Upper Des Moines Opportunity
Michele Carden, YOUR Resources
Tim Zahn, Hamilton County Emergency Management

The facility is currently being updated to also house the State of Iowa's Department of Human Services, Hamilton County office, further enhancing accessibility for residents seeking vital services.

About the Chamber Ambassadors
Chamber Ambassadors are informed representatives of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce who help strengthen the connection between businesses and the community. They support the Chamber’s mission through member outreach, volunteerism at community events, and administrative support. Ambassadors serve as the welcoming face of the organization, helping to foster a connected and thriving local business environment.