April 26, 2009 Iowa’s Jiffy Lube gives big to ‘Go Red’ Jiffy Lube service centers in the Des Moines area have raised over $7,000
for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” program. Funds were raised through customer donations at participating Jiffy Lubes. The funds were raised through the Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life campaign. Nationally, Jiffy Lube raised more than $1.35 million, a company spokesperson said. Kum & Go celebrates 50 years of growth Kum & Go, the convenience store chain with headquarters in West Des Moines, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The company started with one gas station in Hampton and has grown to more than 430 stores in 12 states. Revenue at the company increased 100 percent – from $1.1 billion to $2.1 billion – during the past three years because of the addition of new stores and improved same-store sales, officials of the privately held company said. Kum & Go’s store count continues to increase. The company has opened 41 stores since January. Kum & Go returns 10 percent of its profits each year to the communities it serves. Civic Center goes ‘Blonde’ in a big way Almost 17,000 people came to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines in February to see the national tour of “Legally Blonde, the Musical.” Ticket sales for the eight performances exceeded the center’s goal by 27 percent, center officials said. The musical’s visit to Des Moines had an economic impact of $2.4 million, they said. Currently, the Civic Center is presenting “Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women,” which runs through May 10. Toyota sales on rise in Des Moines Toyota of Des Moines led Iowa-registered vehicle sales in Iowa for 2008, and the sales trends appear to be continuing, dealership officials said. There has been a noticeable upturn in business at the dealership in recent weeks, officials said. “Our service and parts departments are running at capacity, spirits on the showroom floor are terrific, and I expect this spring and summer to be very good here,” said Steve Luebke, the dealership’s general manager. Lenders appear to be optimistic and ready to lend, he said. Consumer traffic at other car dealerships along what is known as the Auto Mile on Merle Hay Road has also increased, he said. Principal gives back to community The Principal Financial Group’s charitable giving is made possible through grants from the Principal Financial Group Foundation, including grants to health and human services agencies. Principal Charity Classic: A golf tournament in which the proceeds help support five nonprofit organizations. The event has raised $1.2 million for children’s charities. The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the charity classic generated $3.8 million for the region in 2008. Point Builders wins national award Point Builders, a metal-building contractor, has been named builder of the year by Varco Pruden Buildings, a metal-building systems provider in Memphis, Tenn.
Point Builders has offices in Des Moines, Davenport, Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids. The company serves central and eastern portions of Iowa and western Illinois. The award is presented to the Varco Pruden builder who is the volume sales leader for the previous calendar year, according to company officials. Builders group salutes Grimes Asphalt & Paving Grimes Asphalt & Paving Corp. won the 2008 Award of Excellence for its work on the Village of Ponderosa in West Des Moines.