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PRESIDENTIAL POST
Let’s Do This Thing!
Register for PDI’s Spring Event - an interactive session/workshop held May 2, 2014 at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel. (Held in conjunction with the SMART Conference)
Cost: $100 includes Thursday’s Reception and Friday’s meals/educational session.
Friday, May 2, 2014 Agenda
7:30 a.m. BREAKFAST & EXHIBITS
8:10 a.m. WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS –Stacie LoVan, PDI President
8:15 a.m. GREATNESS STEMs FROM IOWA: Leadership Invited
8:45 a.m. PDI Legislative Update – PDI’s Lobbyists & Legislative Co-Chairs
9:15 a.m. REWRITING THE RURAL NARRATIVE: DEVELOPING YOUR PLAN TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN NEWCOMERS TO YOUR COMMUNITY - Neil Linscheid, University of Minnesota Extension
10:15 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK/EXHIBITS
10:45 a.m. REWRITING THE RURAL NARRATIVE: DEVELOPING YOUR PLAN TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN NEWCOMERS TO YOUR COMMUNITY - Neil Linscheid, University of Minnesota Extension
11:45 a.m. CLOSING REMARKS - PDI Fall Conference Leaders
Registration & Information >>
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT
• And we call it PDI because... a long look back!
-By Don Chaplain (retired), PDI President 1988
In 1973 the incorporation of the Iowa Professional Developers (IPD) was a formalization of what had previously been a quasi-professional/social group of what were known then as industrial developers. Its membership was comprised of primarily employees of the state development commission, utility and railroad companies (there were many more of those organizations at that time) and some full time community developers.
Most of these folks were “self-taught” and almost exclusively male. The IPD conferences at this time were comprised of golf, poker, relationship building and some educational programs.
More >>
• Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds Talks about PDI’s 40th Anniversary
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• Policy News
Please see the most recent edition of Policy Perspectives.
Read Policy Perspectives >>
STATEWIDE PRIDE
• Lt. Gov. Reynolds to Launch Statewide STEM Town Hall Tour
Office of the Governor of Iowa, iowa.gov, February 27, 2014
Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced a series of town hall meetings across Iowa about the importance of giving students a great education in science, technology, engineering and math. Reynolds is co-chair of the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council along with Mary Andringa, Vermeer Corp. CEO. The Council’s overarching goal is raising student interest and achievement in STEM and building a stronger STEM workforce pipeline.
The tour this spring will update Iowans on the progress being made by the Council, showcase student STEM presentations and seek feedback from community members about how the Council should set STEM priorities moving forward. Governor Branstad, Mary Andringa and local business leaders will join Reynolds at select town halls.
Read More >>
• ISU Boosts Economic Development in Iowa
By Andrew Potter, Times-Republican, February 6, 2014
Did you know?
Reorganization of the university's economic development and company assistance programs has resulted in a new and more user friendly unit.
Read More at the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) >>
• Newton One of Three Cities Selected to Join Main Street Iowa Program
Business Record PM, February 7, 2014
Newton is one of three Iowa cities selected yesterday to join the Main Street Iowa program, the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced. Newton, Avoca and Guthrie Center were selected Thursday. The program helps revitalize downtown districts in smaller communities. During the first three years of the program, each community receives about 40 days of on-site training and technical assistance from Main Street Iowa, National Main Street Center staff and private consultants, as well as 30 days of training for volunteers and local staff. There are now 52 Main Street communities in the state.
• Spirit Lake, Spencer named Top Micropolitans of 2013
Spirit Lake and Spencer, Iowa have recently been named on the 2013 Top Micropolitans (by number of projects) list by Site Selection magazine. Spirit Lake is tied at 41st place with three projects, while Spencer is tied at 70th with two projects.
The US Census Bureau designates a micropolitan area as a non-urban community anchored by a town of at least 10,000 but no more than 50,000 people. According to the Census Bureau, there are 576 micropolitan areas in the country.
Read More >>
WHO'S WHO - MEMBER NEWS
• Scholarship Recipients
Sarah Thompson, Hamilton County SEED, Webster City, IA – Heartland Economic Development Course, April 6-10, 2014
More Information on PDI Scholarships
• New Members
Paul Griffen, Executive Director, Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association, Red Oak
Bradley E. Johnson, VP/GM, Knutson Construction Services, Iowa City
Mike Kirchhoff, President & CEO, Clinton Regional Development Corp, Clinton
Kathryn E. Moreland, Dir of Collaboration & Comm Rel, Iowa City Area Development Group, Iowa City
Paul Rumler, Executive Vice President, Quad Cities First, Davenport
Tyler Wyngarde, Manager, Business Development, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Des Moines
Jenelle Kreiling, Economic Development Specialist, Clinton Regional Development Corp, Clinton
Adam Plagge, Director of Economic Development, Fairfield Economic Development Association, Fairfield
Susan Koch, Account Manager, Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids
• Job Postings:
Executive Director, Osceola County Economic Development Commission, Osceola
City Administrator, City of West Union, West Union
Executive Director, Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation, Ottumwa
Economic Development Coordinator, Robins Economic Development (REDI), Robins
Manager, Econ Dev & Community Relations, Allamakee-Clayton Electric Coop, Postville
More Information >>
EDUCATION
• SAVE THE DATE for PDI’s Spring Event!
May 1-2, 2014, Renaissance Hotel Savery, Des Moines, Iowa
Registration Open by the End of February
This educational and networking opportunity, held at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel on Friday, May 2, will enhance the SMART Conference agenda, offering efficiency for attendees of both events. Economic development professionals will learn first-hand from Neil Linscheid, Educator, Community Economics — Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota Extension who will delve further into: Rewriting the Rural Narrative: Developing your plan to attract and retain newcomers.
The morning presentation will also include an update on STEM and a legislative update. You won’t want to miss this two day event! You can register for all both days on PDI’s website starting February 28.
Hotel reservations at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel (800) 514-4706 or by WEBLINK...
Book your group rate: Professional Developers of Iowa >>
PDI’s room rate is $125/night.
• Iowa Developers: Have You Registered for Heartland?
"Can't imagine doing my job without having taken this course!"
-2013 Heartland Graduate
Early Registration Deadline Approaching!
Heartland Economic Development Course offers economic developers, chamber of commerce professionals, public administrators, planners and community leaders FIVE days of intensive training in the basic concepts, information, methods and strategies of local economic development. Heartland fulfills one of the education prerequisites for those who wish to take examinations for Certified Economic Development (CEcD) designation.
"My head is exploding with new ideas!"
-2013 Heartland Graduate
Click to Register for Heartland >>
• BRE Program Award Applications Due April 1
Every economic development professional knows that business retention and expansion (BRE) is a fundamental component of any economic development program. To promote successful BRE programming, PDI, along with our sponsors Smart Solutions Group and eSynchronist, will once again recognize local communities and organizations that are successfully implementing BRE programs. All PDI Members are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Four awards will be given to outstanding communities during the SMART Conference on Thursday, May 1, 2014. The awards will recognize communities that stand out above the rest with successful initiatives. There are two award categories:
- The Overall BRE Program Award will recognize communities/counties or regions that have established a successful, continuous BRE program in their area.
- The Single Project (Issue) Success Award will recognize a community that successfully mobilized to retain and/or expand an existing business.
This is a chance to be recognized in front of your peers and celebrate the victories in your community. Please submit your application by April 1, 2014.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• OU/EDI Strategic Planning Course
Online
March 17 — May 11, 2014
More Information >>
• 2014 Statewide STEM Conference
March 28, 2014
Des Moines, IA
More Information & Registration >>
• Heartland Economic Development Course
April 6-10, 2014
Adams Pointe Conference Center
Blue Springs, Missouri
More Information >>
• C2ER Training Sessions: The Fundamentals of Impact Analysis
April 16 & 17, 2014
Arlington, VA
More Information & Registration >>
• Iowa SMART Conference
May 1, 2014
Iowa Event Center
Des Moines, Iowa
More Information >>
• EntreFEST 2014
May 14-16, 2014
Iowa City, IA
More Information >>
• OU/EDI Entrepreneurship Course
Online
May 19 — July 13, 2014
More Information >>
• OU/EDI Marketing & Attraction Course
Online
July 21 — September 14, 2014
More Information >>
• OU/EDI Business Retention & Expansion Course
Online
September 22 — November 16, 2014
More Information >>
For more information, contact Lynn Harkin, PDI Headquarters at (515) 243-4585 or Email director@pdiowa.com.
SPONSORS
PDI Thanks the 2014 Sponsors
Triple Event Sponsors
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Iowa Workforce Development
ITC Midwest
Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corp.
Conference Exhibit Sponsors — Fall & Spring
Center for Industrial Research & Service - ISU
Convergent Fundraising Solutions
Diligent Development
Fall Only
Iowa Small Business Development Centers
Spring Only
UNI-Small Business Development Center
BREI Award
Smart Solutions Group
Blane Canada
Contributing Sponsors — Fall & Spring
Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO)
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Midland Power Cooperative
Spring only
Iowa Utility Association
Fall only
Greater Burlington Partnership
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