October 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Dr. Joeli Koenig of Foundational Chiropractic in Forest City, IA as the October 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.When Dr. Joeli Koenig was studying at the Palmer College of Chiropractic, she always knew she wanted to own her own business. After […]
NIACC to Receive Funding Through Iowa STRONG Workforce Training Initiative
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) will receive $528,237 through Iowa STRONG, a statewide initiative supported by a $10.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The initiative will help NIACC expand short-term workforce training opportunities aligned with the needs of North Iowa employers in high-demand industries, including advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, […]
Original Group Holdings Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses
Britt, Iowa manufacturer recognized by U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a 2026 CO—100 honoree and Community ChampionMASON CITY, IOWA – The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is proud to share that Original Group Holdings, the parent company of Original Saw Company and Williams & Hussey Machine and Tool, has been named one of the U.S. […]
Rural Development Conference to Bring Region Together for a Day of Learning and Connection
Anyone looking for fresh ideas to strengthen their workplace, business or community is invited to attend the Rural Development Conference on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 8 AM to 3:30 PM at North Iowa Area Community College.The conference will feature a full day of professional development, networking and practical ideas attendees can put to work. Breakout […]
Winners Announced at the 2026 NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala
MASON CITY, IOWA – The 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala celebrated North Iowa’s entrepreneurs on September 24, 2026 at a special recognition event at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA.The 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala presented Dean Snyder Construction, Inc. of Clear Lake, IA with the prestigious Legacy Award. The Legacy Award recognizes a […]
NIACC Adds Evening ESL Class at Franklin County Career Center
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is adding a new evening English as a Second Language (ESL) class at the NIACC Career Center – Franklin County in Hampton. The tuition-free class is available to adults age 18 and older whose first language is not English.Orientation will be held Monday, October 19, with classes beginning Monday, […]
NIACC Student Receives Chime Scholars Foundation Award
Hailey Stalzer, a student at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in Iowa, has been named a 2026 Chime Workforce Scholar, joining 200 students nationwide recognized for their academic achievement and pursuit of career-focused education.The Chime Workforce Scholarship, funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, provides each scholar […]
NIACC to Recognize Constitution Day On September 17
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) will recognize Constitution Day on Thursday, September 17, with two special classes that are free and open to the public. The classes will explore topics related to the U.S. Constitution, voting rights and important constitutional issues throughout American history.The U.S. Constitution and Voting RightsThe first class, The U.S. Constitution […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center Announces Award Finalists for the 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala
Tickets Now Available to PurchaseThe NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is excited to announce the finalists for the sixth biannual Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala, taking place on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at NIACC. This special evening will showcase the achievements of North Iowa’s outstanding entrepreneurs and honor the recipient of the prestigious business Legacy Award, presented this year to Dean […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC August 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Lance Studer of Lance Studer Custom Automotive in Hampton, IA as the August 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.Lance Studer has built his business by taking on challenges, learning from others and staying committed when the path forward was uncertain. After […]
NIACC Opens Registration for Free Adult Education Classes This Fall
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is now accepting registrations for its free Adult Education & Literacy programs this fall. Adults interested in earning a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma or improving their English language skills through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are encouraged to enroll.NIACC’s Adult Education & Literacy programs provide supportive, […]
Plas-Tech Tooling Named Top Five Finalist in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc. of Garner, IA as one of the five finalists advancing to the grand finale of the SBA Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition. As part of the nation’s Freedom 250 celebrations, the competition spotlights the small businesses who leveraged SBA capital products to innovate, scale operations, and strengthen […]
Venture School Helps North Iowa Entrepreneurs Succeed
Applications Now Open for Fall 2026 CohortThe NIACC Pappajohn Center is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of the University of Iowa Venture School program. The Fall 2026 program will begin with an online orientation session on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Classes will be held online via Zoom on Thursdays, October 8 through […]
NIACC Pappajohn Center & SBDC Recognize Eric Burt of EB Edits as the July 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Eric Burt of EB Edits in Mason City, Iowa as the July 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.EB Edits provides photography and videography services for sporting events, teams, businesses, organizations, concerts, livestock shows, FFA events, races, and community events. “I do […]
North Iowa Business Named as One of 10 Semifinalists in Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc. of Garner, Iowa as one of the ten semifinalists advancing in the Patriot Pitch Competition, the agency’s Freedom 250 initiative celebrating 250 years of American small businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and generate economic growth for local communities.Plas-Tech Tooling is an advanced manufacturing company specializing in precision […]