Despite the nearly absent college student customer base, Campustown businesses are doing well in the off-semester times.

The Ames business community has shown recent improvements in economic growth and prosperity.

In a recent poll by the Ames Economic Development Commission, among 69 Ames area businesses, 91 percent of those surveyed said they would rate the local business climate as “Good” or “Excellent.”

Most businesses acknowledged that summer can be tough in Ames, particularly in places like Campustown, where student business fuels the economy and its growth or decline.

Some businesses in Campustown, such as Copyworks, 105 Welch Ave., try to maintain a strong cash flow by working with local businesses during the slower summer months, rather than relying solely on student business for income.

Copyworks Manager Tim Reger said that they have shown positive economic growth in 2004 and have improved on those numbers thus far in 2005.

“We are ahead of where we were at this point last year, which is always a good thing,” he said.

Copyworks is considering expanding hours and jobs in the coming months, which coincides with the survey. The survey showed more than half the businesses who participated were looking to add jobs this year.

Some businesses, which are more susceptible to the downturn in student spending because of the summer lull in Ames, are still showing positive signs and growth.

Robert Moore, owner of The Flying Burrito, 2712 Lincoln Way, said that business has been “above projections,” and although nighttime business has decreased, lunch business has remained steady since the store opened.

He indicated job growth was a possibility in the fall as business picks back up.

Matthew Goodman, co-owner of The Flying Burrito and owner of Smiles & Gyros in Campustown, said his business has remained lucrative during the “off” summer months. Although Smiles & Gyros has not shown recent growth, Goodman remains upbeat.

“The business really increases in the fall, around football season,” Goodman said.

David Maahs, executive director of the Ames Economic Development Commission, who was primarily responsible for coordinating the survey, was unavailable for comment.