PRESIDENTIAL POST
By Brent Willett, PDI President

Brent Willett PDI President

I hope you are making plans to join PDI for the 2013 Grow Iowa Day at the Iowa State Capitol on February 27, 2013. Grow Iowa Day is PDI's best opportunity to demonstrate to legislators the strength and breadth of our membership organization. Legislators respond to their constituents which is why it is so important that our members attend in mass and dialogue with them. We realize this important event requires an investment of your time and financial resources, but our history with the Grow Iowa Day has demonstrated a tremendous return on investment with our legislators. During this economic downturn and change in leadership, it is critical that we communicate to legislators that we stand ready to grow Iowa's economy, but need their help in maintaining a business friendly atmosphere.

You don't have to exhibit at Grow Iowa Day to be involved. We need lots of members networking with legislators, helping at the PDI booth, taking photos, etc. If you want more information, contact PDI Headquarters at director@pdiowa.com. There is no snow date.

Thank you to the following organizations who will be exhibiting in the Capitol Rotunda that day:

Ames Economic Development Commission
City of Sioux City
Connect Iowa
Greater Burlington Partnership
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance/TechWorks Inc.
Iowa Area Development Group
Iowa Innovation Corporation
Iowa's Creative Corridor
Iowa Small Business Development Center
ISU – Center for Industrial Research & Service
Iowa's Creative Corridor
Mid-Iowa Growth Partnership
North Central Iowa Alliance
Northwest Iowa Development
Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce
Renew Rural Iowa/Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
South Central Iowa Area Partnership
UNI-Business & Community Services
Warren County Economic Development Corp.
Western Iowa Advantage

Sincerely,

Brent Willett
President, Professional Developers of Iowa

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

• Several Transportation Funding Opportunities Are Currently Accepting Applications:
Federal Recreational Trails Applications Due March 1st

The Federal Recreational Trails Program is targeted to both motorized and non-motorized recreational trails. The maximum grant amount is 80% of the total project cost. Approximately $1.2 million dollars is available statewide.

More Information >>

• New Regional Website "IowasCreativeCorridor.com" Launched in 2013
Website Targets Companies Looking to Expand or Locate in Region

In conjunction with new efforts to brand a seven county region in Eastern Iowa as "Iowa's Creative Corridor," the economic development agencies representing Linn, Johnson, Cedar, Iowa, Washington, Jones and Benton Counties, have launched a redesigned website to provide information to interstate commerce companies looking to expand or locate in the region.

The website Iowa'sCreativeCorridor.com was launched in January 2013 and will serve as the primary source of information on available buildings and sites, infrastructure, workforce, and other business resources for start-ups and emerging companies.

More Information >>

• Mark Nolte to Lead ICAD Group
Nolte Served as Interim President Since May 2012

Mark Nolte

Today Chuck Peters, Chair of the Iowa City Area Development Group Board of Directors, announces the hiring of Mark Nolte as ICAD Group President. Nolte has served as interim president since Joe Raso's departure in May of last year.

"We are very excited to make this announcement and congratulate Mark on this new role," said Peters. "As interim president, Mark consistently provided deft leadership including overseeing the opening of the IC CoLab, implementing our Vision 2030 plan, and providing outstanding service to our investors and clients. In filling this position, the board first worked on clarifying our purpose in supporting regional economic development, and Mark was hired to most effectively pursue our declared objectives."

More Information >>

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

• PDI Grow Iowa Day

PDI Grow Iowa Day at the Capitol 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
(Exhibitors set up at 9:30 a.m.)
State Capitol, Des Moines, IA

Agenda

9:30 — 10:30 a.m. — Booth Set-Up Location: The first floor of the Capitol - Rotunda

11:00 — 11:30 a.m. — Legislative Briefing — Update from PDI's Legislative Committee
Co-Chairs and PDI's lobbyists. Location: The first floor of the Capitol — Rotunda — In front of West Entrance - Behind PDI Registration/Pizza Tables.

11:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. — PDI's Legislative Event — An opportunity to mingle with legislators and staff while enjoying free pizza and refreshments! Location: The first floor of the Capitol - Rotunda

1:30 — 2:00 p.m. — Booth Breakdown Location: The first floor of the Capitol - Rotunda.

2:00 — 2:30 p.m. — Legislative De-Briefing Location: The first floor of the Capitol — Rotunda — In front of West Entrance — Behind PDI Registration/Pizza Tables.

More Information & Registration >>

• National Expert in Tourism & Business Development to Present June 7

Roger Brooks, President and CEO of Destination Development International, will conduct an opportunity assessment of Pella, Knoxville, Pleasantville and the Red Rock Area in early June. Findings and suggestions from his visit will be presented at a workshop on Friday, June 7, 2013. The workshop will also include information on branding. Roger is one of North America's most respected experts in the creation of a great destination for tourism and business. He has guided communities in branding, product development, marketing and revitalization.

More Information >>

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STATEWIDE PRIDE

• Indianola Becomes 'Connected' Community
Business Record, Wednesday, February 06, 2013

The city of Indianola will become the first certified Connected community in the state, Connect Iowa announced yesterday.

Connect Iowa is a subsidiary of Connected Nation, which developed the Connected community engagement program to help guide communities through an assessment of their broadband status. Certified communities have measurably demonstrated their proficiency for access to and use of broadband-supported technologies.

Read More >>

• PDI Participates in Iowa Tourism Industry Showcase - What Iowa Has To Offer

Iowa tourism supporters hosted the 24th annual Tourism Showcase for Legislators at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

More than 70 communities/organizations showcased their attractions, events and businesses to remind Iowa Legislators that attended about the abundance of "Things to Do" in our great state, and how important tourism is to the Iowa economy and employment.

More Information >>

Wayne Pantini talks with Representative Jack Drake

Mark Reinig visits with Senator Ken Rozenboom

• Federal 'Transportation Cliff' Threatens Iowa Road Funding
By James Lynch, Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau, WCF Courier, January 23, 2013

Forget potholes, it's the looming "transportation cliff" in federal highway funding makes a state motor fuel tax increase inevitable, according to key player in that debate said Wednesday.

"That was a real eye-opener. Pretty sobering," House Transportation Committee Chairman Josh Byrnes, R-Osage, said about projections of a 77 percent decline in federal highway funding in 2015.

Read More >>

Sioux City Meets with Power 9 & Leadership Team

• Sioux City is Selected as Blue Zones Community
By Molly Montag & Mike Wiser, Journal Staff, Sioux City Journal, January 30, 2013 5:30 pm

After a determined effort, Sioux City is going blue. In its second attempt, Sioux City was named Wednesday as one of six Blue Zones demonstration sites in Iowa. The announcement came Wednesday morning, as officials from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield chose communities that will receive help designing ways for residents to live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Read More >>

Sabre Industries Ribbon Cutting

• Sioux City is Selected as Blue Zones Community
By Molly Montag & Mike Wiser, Journal Staff, Sioux City Journal, January 30, 2013 5:30 pm

After a determined effort, Sioux City is going blue. In its second attempt, Sioux City was named Wednesday as one of six Blue Zones demonstration sites in Iowa. The announcement came Wednesday morning, as officials from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield chose communities that will receive help designing ways for residents to live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Read More >>

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WHO'S WHO

• PDI WORKFORCE SUMMIT
February 26, 2013 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center - DMACC Ankeny Campus

Held in association with Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, Des Moines Area Community College, Iowa Area Development Group & MidAmerican Energy.

This event is held the day before PDI's Grow Iowa Day on February 27, 2013 at the Iowa State Capitol. Plan to attend both!

Registration & Information >>

• Economic Census Forms Were Due Next Tuesday, February 12th. (Extensions are allowed)

Response is required by law, and the information provided is critical for the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy. Statistics from the Economic Census help your industry and local businesses in your community and across the nation.

• Get help with forms and report online at: econhelp.census.gov
• Request a 30-day extension at econhelp.census.gov (UserID and password required). Click "Online Services" on the left hand side under "Tools".
• Learn more about the Economic Census: business.census.gov

EDUCATION

• Business Retention & Expansion Awards 2013

The PDI Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Awards Program recognizes the contribution of BRE to the success of local and regional economic development initiatives.

Purpose of Award: To increase the focus on BRE in economic development organizations by identifying programs and projects that have significant impact on Iowa communities.

More Information >>

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UPCOMING EVENTS

• PDI Workforce Summit

February 26, 2013
FFA Enrichment Center - DMACC Ankeny Campus
Ankeny, IA
Registration & Information >>

• PDI Grow Iowa Day at the Capitol 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Iowa State Capitol Complex, Des Moines, Iowa
More Information & Registration >>

• University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute

March 10-14, 2013
NCED Conference Center and Hotel
Norman, Oklahoma
More Information & Registration >>

• PPP Course - The Partners, the Profession and the Process

Wednesday, March 26, 2013 [NOTE: New date!]
9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
5400 University Avenue
West Des Moines, Iowa
More Information & Registration >>

• Getting to Know The Authority

Wednesday, March 26, 2013 [NOTE: New date!]
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Iowa Economic Development Authority
200 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
More Information & Registration >>

• Deadline for IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Award Entries

April 12, 2013
Entry Packets and More Information >>

• Heartland Economic Development Course

April 21-25, 2013
Blue Springs, MO
PDI Scholarships are available thru 3/31/13 at http://www.pdiowa.com/resources/scholarship-program/
Heartland-edc@uni.edu - (800) 782-9520
Registration & Information >>

• PDI Spring Event

In conjunction with the SMART Conference
May 1-3, 2013
Renaissance Savery Hotel, Des Moines, IA

• 2013 C2ER Annual Conference & LMI Training Institute Annual Forum

May 20-25, 2013 Nashville, TN Full agenda coming in January More information >>

• University of Oklahoma EDI Entrepreneurship Course

June 10, 2013 - August 5, 2013 - Online registration coming soon

• University of Oklahoma EDI Strategic Planning Course
More Information & Registration >>

• PDI Fall Conference

September 25-27, 2013
Park Place Event Centre
Wingate by Wyndham and AmericInn Hotel
Cedar Falls, Iowa

• University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute

October 20-24, 2013
University Place Conference Center and Hotel
Indianapolis, Indiana
More Information & Registration >>

• University of Oklahoma EDI Economic Development Marketing and Attraction Course

November 4, 2013 - January 13, 2014 - Online registration coming soon.

For more information, contact Lynn Harkin, PDI Headquarters at (515) 243-4585 or Email director@pdiowa.com.

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SPONSORS

PDI Thanks the 2012 Sponsors

Triple Event Sponsors
ITC Midwest
Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corp.

Conference Benefactor Sponsors
North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp.

Conference Supporting Sponsors
Black Hills Energy

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