When Marketing Manager Beth Saxton's employer APC, Inc. relocated from Ames to Ankeny in 2003, it wasn't long before she and her family decided to move closer to her work. Looking at almost every metro community to find their new home, they chose Ankeny because (in Beth's words) "we didn't have to sacrifice anything on our wish list."
"...we chose Ankeny because we didn't have to sacrifice anything on our wish list [to move here]."
"Ankeny works for our family because of the quality and convenience here," Beth shares. "Work, shopping, schools, services and access to the entire Central Iowa area."
"I work for a global company headquartered in Ankeny less than ten minutes from my home," she continues. "My family takes advantage of shopping and restaurants throughout Ankeny – from the Delaware corridor to Uptown. Virtually everything we need is a short hop across town whether hardware, swimming lessons or just a family night out."
The same convenience that benefits Beth's home life benefits her work life as well.
"I have easy access to local services I need like printing and catering. While at the same time, when I need to travel for work, it's a quick fifteen minutes to the airport to catch a flight," says Beth.
"When APC moved to Ankeny, numerous local businesses stepped up to offer us services that would make it easier for me and other employees to focus on our work," she continues. "One dealership picks up employee cars at our office for service, a dry cleaning company picks up and delivers - one local restaurant will even host our company and customer dinners when it's their normal night to close. With a steady stream of visitors, the local hotels have been able to provide us with attractive corporate rates as well as meeting space when we can't hold the capacity at our office."
The community helps Beth meet the needs of her employer in more ways than one. "When other departments and I have needed to add staff, there has been no shortage of access to high quality local people," she adds. "This all adds up to more productivity for me and the company."
Beyond living and working in Ankeny, becoming active in the community was very important to Beth. "The opportunities to do so are limitless," she enthuses.
"We can all take advantage of getting to know talented people in our midst and learning to stretch ourselves to learn and do more through their example," Beth states. "Through the company's annual United Way giving campaign I became acquainted with a group of volunteer workers who donate time and skills through the Ankeny Service Center to meet the needs of residents with educational and other assistance programs."
"Later, I was asked to join the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, whose members promote all the great things the Chamber has to offer both individuals and businesses," she continues.
"Being associated with these groups has given me the opportunity to learn more about Ankeny and also to network with everyone from bank presidents to school counselors to small business owners. You can't go wrong when you have quality people to call on for advice or to help."
Ankeny Works for a wide range of people and businesses! Ankeny works for young professionals and experienced executives leading organizations. Ankeny works for global organizations like John Deere and emerging technology companies like QA Graphics. Ankeny works for a balanced work and home life.
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