The citizens of Ames, Iowa take great pride in the fact that their city has been rated one of the 20 best places to live in America. Ames was even named the 6th best small city in which to do business. Near the crossroads of the nation, where I-35 and I-80 intersect, Ames is centrally located to all points. Interstate road systems place Ames less than a day's drive from Minneapolis, Kansas City, Omaha, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee. Des Moines, the state capital, is only 30 minutes away.
Iowa is the number one producer of corn, soybeans, hogs and eggs in the nation, and the 60,000 residents of Ames are located in the middle of the Corn Belt. However, that doesn't mean that this place is all about corn. Ames is home to world class research laboratories especially in the biotech industry. Iowa is making an unprecedented investment in economic growth with the Iowa Values Fund, a $503 million package aimed at creating 50,000 high paying jobs in the areas of life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and information technologies.
In sharp contrast to today’s advanced research, Ames got it's start in 1869 as a station for the Missouri Rail Road Company. The town was named after 19th century railroad booster and Congressman, Oakes Ames. In 1915, the city of Ames had only two paved streets. A year later, two more streets were paved so “country women would not have to wade ankle-deep in mud and filth in order to hitch their horses.” In addition to the bustle of Iowa State University and the cutting edge research that occurs in Ames today, there is still a slower, more peaceful side to the city. Ames' Main Street is their “old town” shopping district with a variety of old time stores. Merchandise from antiques and furniture to jewelry and books can be found in this old time America setting.
Ames, a modern, bustling city with a rich history welcomes the National Order of the Arrow Conference to their All-American town.
Revised 7/31/2004
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