FORT MADISON (WGEM) - The Tri-State Rodeo is roughly a week away from starting, with rodeo week officially kicking off Saturday with the Special Kids Rodeo.

However, according to Fort Madison officials, the week is critical to the economy of the area.

In addition to people staying in Fort Madison, they are also helping by supporting local businesses.

Officials said this helps make a lot of the small annoyances with more people in town seem minor.

“Sometimes, people that live in a community get a little frustrated that their commute to work is a little bit longer because there’s more people in town, but we really do gotta think about the economic impact that it has on our community,” said Savanna Collier, executive director of the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce. “These people are

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