West DSM News

West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Sept. 3. 

The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) and Athene USA (“Athene”), a leading provider of retirement savings products, partnered to support local businesses within the community to help spur economic development. Together, they randomly selected 10 local restaurants from the Chamber’s membership and Athene purchased a total of $26,000 in gift cards from these establishments to disperse to employees as a thank you.

West Des Moines Chamber employees supporting Athene employees as they purchase gift cards from local West Des Moines restaurant Barn Town Brewing as part of Athene’s gift to its West Des Moines employees

“We truly value our employees for their contributions at work and in our community and are pleased to express our gratitude while creating a mutually beneficial relationship in supporting local business,” said Grant Kvalheim, CEO and President of Athene USA. “We are committed to giving back, whether through volunteer service and charitable giving and we appreciate opportunities like this one with the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce to support our local businesses.”

These 10 restaurants were randomly chosen from a pool of West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce members. Representatives from both the Chamber and Athene surprised these establishments and purchased 130 gift cards from each. Athene leaders began dispersing the gifts to employees on Sept. 2.

“We’re grateful to Athene for setting the example in supporting the West Des Moines restaurant community, which is really feeling the pressure during these unprecedented times,” said Katherine Harrington, President and CEO of the WDM Chamber. “Athene is leading the way by not only spurring economic growth in our community, but also encouraging their employees to eat local at a time when restaurants could really use the support.”

The 10 restaurants selected were:

• Barn Town Brewing
• BeerStyles Taproom and Gastropub
• Dino’s Bar and Grill
• Fire Creek
• Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio
• Mac Shack
• McAlister’s Deli
• Raising Cane’s
• Vino209 Wine Bar & Bistro
• Wahlburgers

"We are so thankful for being chosen in the random drawing.  Athene's support in purchasing 130 gift cards and giving it to their employees to help support local businesses is a great way to spur spending and spread the word about some of the local restaurants her in our area," said Jeremy Brittain, owner of Dino's Bar and Grill.

Original source can be found here.

Source: West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce