Grow Clinton Podcast

Episode 216 of the Grow Clinton Podcast features Matt Sanderson, owner of Gutter Works in Clinton, Iowa, a long-time Grow Clinton member serving homeowners and businesses across the Greater Clinton Region.

Meet Gutter Works and Matt Sanderson

For more than 20 years, Gutter Works has focused on protecting local homes and buildings with high-quality gutter systems tailored to Midwest weather. Matt and his team have self-performed over 6,000 projects throughout the Gateway area, building a reputation for reliability, craftsmanship, and responsive customer service.

In this episode, Matt shares how he got started in the industry, what has kept him committed to the trade, and why being locally owned and operated matters to his customers.

6,000 Projects and What They’ve Learned

Over two decades on ladders and roofs, Gutter Works has seen almost every kind of drainage challenge, from older homes that need complete gutter replacement to newer builds that require customized solutions. Listeners will hear Matt discuss common issues he encounters, the biggest mistakes property owners make with gutters, and how proactive maintenance can prevent costly water damage. He also explains what separates a “quick fix” from a long-term, well-designed gutter system.

Serving the Gateway Area

Gutter Works is proud to serve the broader Gateway region, helping property owners in and around Clinton protect their investments year-round. Matt discusses the unique demands of our riverfront climate, including heavy rains, snowmelt, and freeze-thaw cycles, and how his team designs gutter solutions to handle it all. He also reflects on memorable local projects and the satisfaction that comes from improving both curb appeal and performance for customers they often see around town.

Partnership with Grow Clinton

As a member of Grow Clinton, Gutter Works is part of a network of businesses working together to strengthen the local economy and improve the quality of life.

If this episode inspires you to take a closer look at your gutters, Matt and his team are ready to help! 

You can reach Gutter Works at (563) 357-7990 or email [email protected] to request an estimate, ask questions, or schedule a project. 

Gutter Works is proud to call the Greater Clinton Region home, serving local residents, one gutter at a time.

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

The latest Grow Clinton Podcast episode features Alethea Cahoy, executive director of the River Bluff Community Foundation, sharing how local philanthropy is transforming the Greater Clinton Region. 

Listeners will learn how River Bluff builds permanent endowments, supports local nonprofits, and helps residents invest in the future of Clinton and Camanche. 

The episode also highlights Energize Clinton, a Community Heart & Soul initiative that engaged more than a thousand residents to identify local priorities and is building a long-term endowment to fund projects rooted in those community values. 

Looking forward, River Bluff’s goals include:

• Growing the Community Impact Fund so the foundation can make more and larger grants to address evolving local needs.
• Completing the Energize Clinton campaign and putting a 450,000 dollar resident-driven endowment to work for community priorities.
• Expanding partnerships with local nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders to pursue collaborative solutions and transformational projects across the Greater Clinton Region.

Tune in to hear how you can get involved and help ensure Clinton’s bright future for generations to come!

For more information, please visit https://dbqfoundation.org/affiliates/rbcf.

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

Andy and Jenny of the Grow Clinton Podcast welcome Linda Nelson, Quad City Market Area Leader of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), to the microphone for a conversation about transformation, trust, and growth in the Quad Cities region. 

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a nonprofit, business-supported organization dedicated to setting and upholding the highest standards for honest business behavior. With more than 5.3 million business profiles available online, the BBB provides objective information, educational tools, and marketplace insights to build lasting trust between companies and consumers.

Linda helps guide local businesses through the Better Business Bureau's exciting rebrand: “New Era for Trust.” With a fresh look, renewed mission, and dynamic support tools, the BBB is making it easier than ever for companies to build credibility and capacity.

Building Better Businesses

Under its new “Build Better Business” initiative, Accredited Businesses gain access to resources once reserved for large corporations. 

This powerful lineup includes:

• Professional Development: Leadership and operations training to help teams grow stronger together.
• Strategic Planning: Personalized coaching in areas like succession planning and crisis communication.
• Operational Excellence: Free tools, monthly webinars, and workshops designed to streamline daily business practices.
• Recognition: Meaningful opportunities to celebrate organizations that set the regional gold standard for ethics and performance.

Through these programs, the BBB is redefining what it means to earn and maintain trust in today's marketplace, helping businesses evolve and thrive in a changing economy.

Partnering for Success and Consumer Confidence

Even as the BBB evolves, its mission to empower and protect consumers remains at its core. In a tightening economy, the organization is doubling down on helping residents make smart financial decisions. Beyond its familiar complaint-resolution services, the BBB remains the region’s premier consumer advocate, offering advice, education, and transparency to keep the marketplace fair and reliable.

For more information, please visit https://www.bbb.org/. 

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

The latest Grow Clinton Podcast episode features a conversation with local business owner and former police sergeant Josh Weber of Pest Control Consultants, a family-owned pest management company serving Clinton and the Greater Clinton Region. 

Listeners will hear how Josh transitioned from a career in law enforcement to co-owning a growing service business that protects homes, businesses, and community institutions from a wide range of pests. The episode highlights Pest Control Consultants’ focus on safety, responsiveness, and long-term prevention for both residential and commercial clients.

Protecting homes: Residential Home Protection Plan

For more information, visit PCC online at https://pccil.com/clinton-ia/. 

To explore Pest Control Consultants’ Residential Home Protection Plan, mosquito yard treatments, rodent services, or commercial programs, visit their website for service details and contact information. You can also subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast to hear this episode and stay up to date on more stories from the businesses and leaders shaping the Greater Clinton Region.

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

On this episode of the Grow Clinton Podcast, Andy and Jenny are joined in the studio by Josh Traverse of Shaw Electric. 

Shaw Electric has been delivering trusted electrical solutions across Eastern Iowa and the greater Midwest for more than 75 years! Service Department Manager Josh Traverse joins us to share how the company’s deep roots and forward-looking mindset continue to power the region’s growth.

Listeners will hear the story of Shaw Electric’s beginnings in 1944, its evolution from a small local shop into an award-winning commercial and industrial electrical contractor, and how a family-owned culture still guides day-to-day decisions today. 

Josh talks about what “industry-leading value” really means on the jobsite, covering Shaw’s 24/7 service capabilities, its work on everything from residential calls to major multi-million-dollar industrial projects, and the systems they use to ensure safe, high-quality work every time. He also highlights the company’s reputation for showing up when they say they will, getting projects done on schedule, and earning repeat business through reliability and timeliness rather than flash.

Shaw Electric has a footprint in the Greater Clinton Region and beyond, with offices in Iowa serving customers across the Midwest and projects that stretch from New York to California, all while maintaining strong regional roots. The Clinton-based service team supports local homeowners, businesses, and light industrial clients, and how that local presence directly ties into the community's economic vitality. 

Tune in to learn how a legacy electrical contractor is combining history, craftsmanship, and community commitment to keep the Greater Clinton Region connected and moving forward.

For more information or to hire Shaw Electric for your next job, please visit https://www.shawelec.com.

Contact Josh via email at [email protected]. 

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

Liz Estilow, founder and director of My G.E.A.R. Outreach in Clinton, Iowa, joins the Grow Clinton Podcast to share how her local nonprofit is bringing comfort and hope to children entering foster and relative care for the first time. In this episode, Liz explains how My G.E.A.R. Outreach walks alongside kids ages 0–18 at one of the hardest moments of their lives by providing thoughtfully packed welcome boxes and first overnight bags so no child has to arrive in a new home with nothing but a trash bag of belongings.

Listeners will hear how the organization serves children and foster families across multiple counties in our region—supporting Iowa’s Clinton, Jackson, Scott, and Dubuque counties, as well as Whiteside, Carroll, and Lee counties in Illinois. Liz breaks down what goes into each Welcome Box, from toothbrushes and toothpaste to shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, a water bottle, a hair brush, a fun wash cloth, a comb, liquid bath soap, and even a night light—essentials that help a child feel seen, clean, and a bit more at home on day one.

Throughout the conversation, Liz unpacks the heart behind the My G.E.A.R. mission: to give the hope of Jesus, equip kids with basic necessities, promote acceptance, and help restore relationships in our community. You’ll come away with practical ways to get involved.

Ways to donate

• Give a one-time or recurring monetary gift to help cover the cost of Welcome Boxes (about 50 dollars each) and First Overnight Bags (about 150 dollars each).​
• Sponsor specific items for boxes and bags, such as toiletries, pajamas, socks, underwear, blankets, journals, or age-appropriate toys and activities.​
• Organize a supply drive through your business, church, school, or civic group to collect new hygiene and comfort items to pack into the kits.​

Ways to volunteer

• Help assemble Welcome Boxes and First Overnight Bags, ensuring each child receives essentials, including toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, pajamas, and a stuffed animal.​
• Serve as a community advocate by sharing My G.E.A.R. Outreach’s mission, inviting others to give or host drives, and connecting the nonprofit with local organizations in Clinton and surrounding counties.​
• If you’re part of a group, arrange a volunteer day focused on packing kits or sorting donated items to prepare them for quick delivery to children entering foster or relative care.

Visit the My G.E.A.R. Outreach website at https://mygearoutreach.org/. 

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

In this episode of the Grow Clinton Podcast, Andy and Jenny interview Grow Clinton's Stacy Borgeson and Dr. Wes Golden regarding the 3rd Annual Education & Business Partnership Symposium.

Where: Northeast High School – 3690 Hwy 136, Goose Lake, IA
When: Thursday, March 5th, 2026, at 5:30 pm -7:30 pm

Follow the link to register! https://clintonia.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/40877.

The 3rd Annual Education & Business Partnership Symposium brings together educators and business professionals to foster collaboration and innovation in the education sector. With a focus on creating meaningful partnerships between schools and local businesses, this symposium offers a unique opportunity to learn, network, and exchange ideas.

Don't miss out on this in-person event where you can connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, and explore new possibilities for enhancing education-business relationships.

If you represent an employer, have students close to graduation, or are just interested in learning more, please consider attending!

Follow the link to register! https://clintonia.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/40877.

This event is free, but we ask that you register. A meal will be served. 

In past symposiums, we've had the privilege of hearing directly from students and business leaders as they shared their experiences and perspectives. We will continue with that this year as well, and already have 10 students prepared to share their experience.

These conversations have highlighted the power of collaboration between education and industry, giving students a voice while allowing businesses to share real-world insight on workforce needs and career pathways.

The impact has been meaningful, sparking new ideas, stronger partnerships, and a deeper understanding of how we can better prepare our future workforce together.

The Inaugural Symposium stemmed from the creation of an internship guide to share with businesses. Students need work experience before graduating from high school, and we need our local businesses to partner with our schools to provide it. 

What better way to show that than to host a symposium that brings everyone together to reach a common goal? 

Participating schools include: Clinton, Camanche, Fulton, Northeast, Calamus-Wheatland, and EICC.

We currently have 22 businesses registered; however, we would love to see more register. The goal is to see 100 registrants, and we are currently at 73, with 3 weeks to go! 

Our mission is to ignite business growth, strengthen community ties, and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

You’re listening to the Grow Clinton Podcast! Today, we’re excited to welcome Lindsay Morhardt and Sara Krogmann from the Prince of Peace Irish Boosters, here to share all the details about the upcoming Prince of Peace Catholic Schools Irish Auction. 

Click the link to view the Facebook event page! https://www.facebook.com/events/1483472503374294/

You can register and secure your seats now at https://e.givesmart.com/events/MQR/

This year’s Irish Auction is set for Saturday, March 7th, 2026, with the theme “Eat, Drink & Be Irish,” bringing the lively feel of a traditional Irish pub to an evening of fellowship, laughter, and purpose in support of Prince of Peace Catholic Schools. More than just a fun night out, the auction helps sustain faith-centered education, strengthen academic excellence, and support students as they grow in Gospel values and Catholic tradition.

Tickets are $60 per person, and reserved tables of eight are available for $430 if secured by February 14th; after that, tables are $480, so early reservations are encouraged. 

During the episode, Lindsay and Sara will walk us through the evening’s schedule: cocktail hour begins at 5:00 PM, the buffet dinner starts at 6:30 PM, the live auction kicks off at 7:30 PM, and the silent auction opens online on March 1st, giving you even more ways to support Prince of Peace students and school programs. 

They’ll also highlight the delicious buffet, featuring chicken Marsala or carved roast beef with sides and desserts from Creative Catering Caravan, and share more about this year’s Honorary Chairs, Gerry and Trudy Murphy, whose longtime service and presence have meant so much to the school community.

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

Welcome to Episode 208 of the Grow Clinton Podcast! Today, Andy and Jenny are joined by David Miller, Executive Director of Homes for Iowa, a mission‑driven nonprofit transforming the way Iowa addresses affordable housing, workforce development, and second‑chance opportunities.

Learn more at HomesForIA.com.

David brings a mix of public leadership and entrepreneurial grit to his work. Since stepping into the Executive Director role in July 2025, he has been guiding Homes for Iowa’s expansion across the state, helping build quality, affordable homes while strengthening Iowa’s workforce and reducing recidivism through hands‑on trades training.

At the heart of Homes for Iowa’s work is a powerful idea: homes are more than structures; they are opportunities. Built through a unique partnership with Iowa Prison Industries and the Iowa Department of Corrections, these homes provide incarcerated individuals with real building‑trades experience and a meaningful path toward success upon re‑entry, while also delivering attainable homes to income‑eligible families across Iowa.

In today’s conversation, we explore:

• How Homes for Iowa is tackling the housing shortage with innovative construction and delivery models.
• The impact of job‑skills training on workforce readiness and reduced recidivism.
• Real stories of families and individuals whose lives have been changed through homeownership and second chances.

Whether you are passionate about community development, workforce solutions, or creative nonprofit innovation, this episode offers valuable insight into building stronger communities across Iowa.

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Our mission is to ignite business growth, strengthen community ties, and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!

In this episode of the Grow Clinton Podcast, Andy and Jenny are joined in the studio by Brad Lucas and Eric Vanspeybroeck of Rouse Consulting Group (RCG).

Based in the Quad Cities (Moline, Illinois), RCG is a leading technology provider for small and medium-sized businesses across the United States and beyond.

For more information, visit https://www.go2rcg.com. 

The two will share information on the company's history, the services they offer customers and clients, updates on the ever-changing technology landscape, and how Rouse Consulting Group manages timelines and responds quickly to ensure your safety, security, and satisfaction. 

Offering network hardware support, configuration, cybersecurity, and compliance, Rouse Consulting Group is your one-stop shop for everything IT!

Community building, economic development, and tourism promotion are the goals of Grow Clinton, a proud 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in Clinton, Iowa.

Our mission is to ignite business growth, strengthen community ties, and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region.

Subscribe to the Grow Clinton Podcast at the following locations:

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Buzzsprout
• Overcast
• YouTube

For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit www.Facebook.com/GrowClintonPodcast.

Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!