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PRESIDENTIAL POST
By Sandy Ehrig, PDI President
PDI Members:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Sandy Ehrig
PDI President
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"The Partners, the Profession and the Process" workshop for those new to economic development or new to Iowa is scheduled for Monday, April 23rd at the Farm Bureau Office, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa.
This is the popular workshop that is a great teaser for the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s "Getting To Know IEDA" session scheduled for May 4th at the Renaissance Savery Hotel, Des Moines Iowa — held in conjunction with the SMART Economic Development Conference. More on that later!
Plan to arrive promptly with the workshop starting at 2:00 p.m. Parking is free in the guest lot at Farm Bureau. An interactive afternoon is planned. You will meet with PDI veterans that will lead discussions, make introductions, and answer questions. The session is free and will conclude by 5:00 p.m. Please contact Sandy Ehrig sehrig@ifbf.org to make your reservation for the PPP workshop or Lynn Harkin, PDI Headquarters director@pdiowa.com.
Sandy Ehrig,
President, Professional Developers of Iowa
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
• 2012 IEDA Trade Shows
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has opened its sponsorship/registration for the 2012 trade show schedule as discussed in the marketing meetings held across the state. Registration is now live through the following link: [Link no longer available.].
The link will remain active until 5:00 p.m. on Friday March 2nd. Please be aware it is possible this schedule could be impacted by budget constraints since the plan spans two fiscal years.
[Link no longer available.]
• Certified Site Selection Program Update
The Iowa Economic Development Authority would like to thank PDI members and economic developers who joined us for a presentation on site certification given by Don Schjeldahl and Jonathan Gemmen of Austin Consulting on Wednesday, February 1.
The Austin presentation focused on certification programs offered by other states, standard industry practices and offered a better understanding of what site selection consultants need when determining appropriate sites.
More Information >>
• New Startup Calendar Puts Statewide Event Information at Entrepreneurs' Fingertips
The Iowa Startup and Entrepreneur Calendar, hosted by Startup Iowa, goes live today, providing one-stop access to information about entrepreneurial and startup business activities around the state. Never has the state had a single repository for events of interest to startups and entrepreneurs. The online calendaring system is accessible to anyone for free.
More Information >>
• Business Retention & Expansion Awards
by Iowa Workforce Development
The PDI Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Awards Program recognizes the contribution of BRE to the success of local and regional economic development initiatives.
More Information >>
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• Program Funding for IEDA in Jeopardy
As you probably read in the last edition of Policy Perspectives, the House's budget targets ZERO out the program funding for the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for the upcoming year. The Governor and Director Durham budgeted for $25 Million to go towards this fund and the Senate budget reflects this request. However, we need YOUR HELP in making the case with Iowa House members that we need the IEDA to be adequately funded in order for the IEDA to be a viable partner in job creation efforts in Iowa.
Please call or e-mail your House members today to ask them to support a $25 million appropriation to the IEDA for program funding.
You can find out who your Iowa House of Representatives member is by going HERE and inserting your home address. The Iowa House member will be listed in the bottom right of the box at the top of the results page. You can find your House member's e-mail address HERE.
The Authority has put together a couple of one pagers to help PDI members and others in making the case for the $25 million appropriation. You can find those documents on the PDI Legislative Resources page of the PDI website, or by clicking HERE and HERE.
PDI STATEWIDE PRIDE
• Implementing Synchronist
Dear Iowa Economic Development Partners —
Implementing the Synchronist program at the local and regional level is critical to our success statewide. Capturing this data, which then is aggregated, allows trends and assessments to be made to support and grow our existing businesses. Implementing the program also provides for strong policy, programs and additional resources to be provided locally and regionally to support your needs.
More Information >>
PDI MEMBERSHIP
• Membership Renewal
To all PDI Members who have renewed for 2012, we want to thank you for your past support and participation in the Professional Developers of Iowa organization. It's our membership’s commitment to the organization and the growth of our state that enables our continued success. It’s that time of the year when we are seeking membership renewals to enable the organization to continue working with and for you.
You are part of a grassroots network of economic developers, community planners, elected officials, and persons involved in the promotion of economic development and the growth of Iowa. Without your participation and dues support, the Professional Developers of Iowa cannot fulfill its commitment to helping your community have a voice in government as well as assisting with your professional growth.
The Professional Developers of Iowa organization is where hands on work takes place throughout the year to safeguard the tools leading to the improvement of Iowa. Renew in PDI and be directly involved in shaping the important issues keeping Iowa strong, safe and vibrant.
Your membership means that the Professional Developers of Iowa can continue to be an active and vital part of the community. Your participation and dues support make these and other valuable services possible. Every member strengthens PDI’s political clout while broadening our ability to offer a wide range of educational opportunities for our members. Even when you don't have the time to be personally involved, your membership dues support the actions of other PDI members who work for better economic development tools and progressive policies. As a member, you make everything we do possible.
We thank you for your membership in the Professional Developers of Iowa. Your involvement is important and very much appreciated.
• Membership Co-Chairs
Shaun Arneson
PDI Membership Co-Chair
Vice President
Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation
Joe Raso
PDI Membership Co-Chair
President
Iowa City Area Development Group, Inc.
• Job Postings:
International Project Manager — Iowa Economic Development Authority
EDUCATION & UPCOMING EVENTS
• Dream Big Grow Here Pitch-Off
March 8, 2012
Gateway Hotel, Ames, Iowa
More Information >>
• Opening Global Opportunities Conference
March 29, 2012
Hotel Julien, Dubuque, Iowa
Where will your next customer come from? Ninety-six percent of the world's consumers reside outside of the United States and account for over two-thirds of the world's purchasing power. Join Prosperity Eastern Iowa at the Opening Global Opportunities Conference on Thursday, March 29th at the Hotel Julien in Dubuque, Iowa from 8:00 to 2:00 to learn how to tap your company's exporting potential.
Register Here >>
• Heartland Economic Development Course
April 15 — 19, 2012
Kansas City Area
[PDI Scholarships are available thru 3/31/12]
Heartland-edc@uni.edu — (800) 782-9520
• Scholarship Available
Scholarships are available to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course April 15 — 19.
Deadline for application is March 1.
More Information >>
• PPP Course — The Partners, the Profession and the Process
Monday, April 23, 2012
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa
To attend email: director@pdiowa.com or sehrig@ifbf.com
• BREI Training Course
WHO: Professionals in Economic Development
WHAT: BREI Community Economic Analysis Course
WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel, 401 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Room rates: $104/night; Call (515) 244-2151 or Marriott Reservations (800) 514-4706
Identify that you are affiliated with the Professional Developers of Iowa Room Block
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmbr-renaissance-des-moines-savery-hotel/
REGISTER: More information for registration will be available after March 1 at www.pdiowa.com
• SMART Conference
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Des Moines, Iowa
http://iowasmartconf.com/
• PDI Spring Event — Getting to Know IEDA
Friday, May 4, 2012
Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel, Des Moines, Iowa
Registration materials available after March 1 at www.pdiowa.com
• PDI Fall Conference
Wednesday — Friday, September 26-28, 2012
Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Hilton Garden Inn and Country Inn & Suites
Terry Bailey, Lori Holste & Jason Hutcheson, Conference Co-Chairs
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