KCSI visited with Mills County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gitzy Loder about holiday shopping, new chamber programs, and a busy year ahead

Shop local / shop small:
- Emphasis on supporting small businesses during the holidays.
- Encouragement to visit local shops first before going online.
- Suggests gift cards/gift certificates as flexible local options.
Key shopping dates:
- Black Friday
- Small Business Saturday
- Cyber Monday
Chamber Black Friday deal:
- New members can sign up now and get December free.
- They can join with half down for next year’s membership.
- Businesses do not need to be located in Mills County to join.
Annual Chamber Banquet:
- Date: January 29
- Location: Fountains Ballroom, Glenwood
Leadership Southwest Iowa (2026):
- Year-long leadership program.
- Hybrid: mix of online/virtual and in-person sessions.
- Topics: civic/government, county issues, local businesses, and personal leadership growth.
- Target audience: emerging leaders, seasoned leaders, and those wanting to reconnect with local issues.
- Registration open under Events at LiveMillsCounty.com.
Recurring Chamber programs:
- Coffee & Connections and After Hours events hosted by local businesses.
- Lunch & Learns with topics like insurance, marketing, floral design, and SEO.
How to host or connect:
- Contact Gitzy at 712-520-5855 (call or text).
- Use LiveMillsCounty.com to reach the Chamber or submit events.
- Holiday and seasonal events (check dates and times on the online calendar):
  - Malvern: lantern lunch, memorial tree lighting, Festival of Trees.
  - Glenwood: two-day Holiday Festival; courthouse square lighting with Santa at 6 p.m.; horse and buggy rides; s’mores.
  - Emerson: Emerson Christmas Kickoff as part of Vision Emerson.
  - Glenwood Holiday Homes Tour.
  - Wilson Performing Arts Center winter concerts (December dates).
  - Silver City: first tree lighting event from morning through evening, supported by Western Iowa Networks.
    
    New chamber members:
    - Vine Street Cafe and Bakery (Glenwood)
    - Bluffs Electric
    - Lakin Foundation
    - Child Development Center of East Mills
    - Kindred Collective – a shared retail space for entrepreneurs without their own storefronts.
Contact info:
- Phone/Text: 712-520-5855
- Chamber site: LiveMillsCounty.com
- Tourism site: VisitMillsCounty.com