Marengo, Iowa Community Development

02/03/2026

Have you heard the news? 🐯💛

Little Tigers Childcare is expanding to better serve infants and toddlers in our community! They are working to raise $100,000 to support construction, furnishings, and age-appropriate learning spaces, bringing childcare for all ages to families in the Marengo area.

Every donation makes a difference and helps move this important project forward. Let’s rally together and support Little Tigers as they grow!

How to donate:
✨ Venmo:
✨Mail or drop off donations:
Compass Memorial Healthcare
Administration Office
300 West May Street
Marengo, IA 52301

Why is MarenGO Community Development managing the donations?
MarenGO Community Development has agreed to serve as a pass-through for funds donated to Little Tigers Childcare program.

Thank you for supporting childcare growth in the Marengo community. Together, we can make this happen! 💛

01/14/2026

To ensure transparency, I wanted to share an update regarding the recent restructuring of MarenGO. Below is the letter that was sent out to the current MarenGO members and local business owners outlining the Board’s decision on restructuring.

Dear MarenGO Members and Business Owners,

On behalf of the MarenGO Community Development Board, I would like to share an update on key decisions made during our most recent board meeting regarding the future direction of the organization.

After thoughtful discussion, the Board has agreed to begin restructuring MarenGO to better support the long-term needs of the Marengo community. This new direction shifts our organizational focus away from event planning and toward a broader economic development model.

This restructuring will strengthen MarenGO’s ability to champion initiatives such as childcare expansion, housing development, trail and infrastructure projects, community improvements, and other efforts that help attract families and businesses to Marengo. Our goal is to position MarenGO as a stronger, more strategic asset for the City of Marengo’s growth and vitality.

With this shift, we would like to extend an opportunity to current MarenGO members and Marengo business owners to consider forming a separate non-profit organization such as a Chamber of Commerce or similar entity, to continue hosting community events and providing business support. While MarenGO will continue to function as a committee, it will no longer be funded through memberships.

If there is sufficient interest in forming a legally registered non-profit organization supported by members and a governing board, MarenGO would provide a one-time start-up contribution of $25,000. This funding would be contingent upon the establishment of a legal, registered non-profit entity to ensure appropriate stewardship of funds and a clear plan for continuing community events and business support.

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity further, please let me know. We are happy to work alongside the group as the entity is established. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and I will ensure you receive the information you need.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Marengo community.

Natasha Hauschilt, Board President
MarenGO Community Development

01/13/2026

Iowa County Businesses - Grant Announcement!

‼️Iowa County Businesses‼️ It's time to show your building some love. 🫶 ❤️
ICCD is offering a façade improvement/signage grant to motivate improving your building's exterior. Application window is March 1st-March 31st so start getting estimates now!
Check out flyer below.
Questions? Email [email protected].

12/02/2025

This weekend!

11/19/2025

On behalf of the MarenGO Community Development Board, I want to address some statements that have been circulating that MarenGO is disbanding. This is simply not true. MarenGO is not dissolving; instead, it’s undergoing a purposeful restructuring to better serve the long-term needs of the community.

The new direction may shift MarenGO away from event planning and more towards a true community and economic development model. While this exact transition is still being defined, we are committed to creating a clear transition plan for any events affected. This restructuring strengthens our ability to support projects such as child care initiatives, housing, trail development, community improvements and other efforts that benefit the community and attract families and businesses.

As part of this process, the board is evaluating the staffing structure needed to support this new focus to ensure that the organization remains effective and sustainable.

Our goal is to make MarenGO a stronger, more strategic asset for Marengo’s growth. We will continue to provide updates throughout the restructuring period.

In the meantime, our work continues. Current efforts include:
-Jingle Around the Square (scheduled for
Saturday, December 6th)

-Working with the Little Tigers Child Care
Committee to secure funds for the 0-2
childcare facility.

-Supporting the Marengo Trails Committee
in the development of the trail system around the
city limits.

Significant work is still happening behind the scenes, and we remain committed to moving these projects forward.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and I will help get you the answers.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Natasha Hauschilt
President, MarenGO Community Development Board

10/09/2025

🎃🚗 Trunk or Treat Participants Wanted! 🚗🎃

We still have spots open for our Trunk or Treat at the Fall Festival on October 18th! 🍂👻

Get creative, decorate your trunk, and help us make this event spooktacular for the kids and families in our community. It's a fun and festive way to get involved!!🍬🎉

Want to join in the fun? Send us a message or sign up by clicking on the sign up link below.

Let’s make this year’s Trunk or Treat the best one yet! 🎃✨

Saturday, October 18th, 2025 Set up: 1PM-2PM Start Time: 2:15PM Need to provide enough candy or goodies for roughly 250-300 children

10/01/2025

🚨 Vendor Reminder! 🚨
We’re still welcoming new vendors to the Marengo Market—and we’d love to have YOU join us! 🌽🧁🧼
Each week, our market brings together local farmers, makers, and small business owners to create something special for our community. If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time!
📅 Thursdays from 5PM-7PM
📍 Marengo City Park
Visit our website for info on how to register!
www.go-marengo.com/marengomarket
Whether you sell fresh produce, handmade goods, baked treats, or unique creations—we’d love to have you at the market. Let’s make this season the best one yet!

09/27/2025

🐯✨ Tiny Tigers Need a Den ✨🐯

Little Tigers Childcare is ready to take the next step — but our tiniest Tigers need a place to call home! Phase Two of our project is to build a new facility for infants through 36 months old, providing a safe, nurturing space where babies and toddlers can learn, grow, and thrive.

This dedicated “den” will give families in our community the dependable care they need from the very start of their child’s journey. 💛

👉 Check out the flyer below for details and ways you can support. Every contribution brings us one step closer to building the den our Tiny Tigers deserve! 🌟

09/19/2025

☆ Thanks for hosting, Marissa! ☆

09/17/2025

🌟 Meet Tiffany Thiessen🌟

Tiffany is the school counselor at Iowa Valley Jr/Sr High School. A proud parent of four, she enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active through athletics — whether it’s watching, coaching, or officiating.

For the past 8 years, Tiffany has called Marengo home. She loves the quiet feel of the community while still being close to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. On the Marengo Community Development board, she’s especially passionate about improving opportunities for youth, ensuring they have the resources and support to grow and succeed right here at home.

Her favorite Marengo tradition is Jingle Around the Square, a festive celebration that brings the community together each holiday season. She believes community development plays a key role in making Marengo an attractive place for families, which in turn fosters economic growth.

And here’s a fun fact: Tiffany was a member of the Iowa State University Marching Band during college! 🎺

We’re grateful for Tiffany’s dedication to both our youth and our community’s future. 💙

09/15/2025

🌟 Meet Laura Sauser 🌟

Laura and her husband, Jordan, have been married for 16 years and have two children, Tinley and Ridley. As a family, they enjoy staying active, playing sports together, and cheering on their favorite teams — the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Bears!

Her connection to Marengo began about three years ago through her work as the Director of Iowa County Development. Since then, she’s grown to love working alongside the people of Marengo and seeing the exciting things happening in the community.

On the Marengo Community Development board, Laura is especially passionate about the downtown: “It’s the center of the community and reveals the health of the city. I want to see businesses start and succeed, offering services that make Marengo a place where people want to be.”

Her favorite local tradition so far has been Jingle Around the Square, a celebration that captures the spirit of community during the holiday season. Looking ahead, she envisions a vibrant downtown filled with businesses and lodging, while still honoring the history of Marengo and embracing the changes that make sense for the future.

Something fun you might not know? Laura grew up on a fruit farm in Michigan with cherries, apples, and asparagus. She even learned to drive a forklift years before she could legally drive a car!

We’re so grateful for Laura’s leadership, passion, and dedication to Marengo’s growth and future! 💙