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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Stacie LoVan, PDI President
Stacie LoVan
PDI President
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Are you new to the economic development profession in Iowa? Have you been involved in economic development for a few years but just want to make sure you are taking advantage of all the resources available to help you and your community?
If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then I encourage you to attend “The Partners, the Profession and the Process” (PPP) workshop scheduled for Tuesday, July 15.
PDI recognizes that a key element to growing Iowa’s economy is trained economic developers at the state, regional and community level. The best way to help those new to the profession is to bring together PDI veterans and those new to the profession to discuss economic development in Iowa and the variety of resources that are available to help.
The PPP workshop will provide information on:
- Synchronist - Iowa’s existing industry data program
- LocationOne Information System - Iowa’s communities, buildings and sites database
- Iowa Economic Development Authority’s community and economic development programs
- Resources available from your regional utilities, state agencies, Iowa Farm Bureau, and others
- How to navigate the process from those who have been around economic development in Iowa for many years
- Networking with others who are also new to the field
- And much more!
This year, the PPP workshop will be held from 9:00 am to Noon on Tuesday, July 15, at the Farm Bureau Office in West Des Moines. The workshop is open to anyone involved in economic development, so please help us spread the word. Register online here or call PDI Headquarters for more information.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT
• Deb Calvert Talks about PDI's 40th Anniversary
View Deb Calvert's Interview >>
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
• ISU Unifies Economic Development Institutes
By Sharyn Jackson, DesMoinesRegister.com, June 4, 2014
A new organization at Iowa State University is bringing together the university's existing economic development institutes for increased cooperation and contribution to the state's economy.
Michael Crum, senior policy adviser on economic development to ISU President Steven Leath, is heading the new Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations.
Click to View Survey >>
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• Policy News
Please see the most recent edition of Policy Perspectives.
Read Policy Perspectives >>
STATEWIDE PRIDE
• City of Woodbine Receives 2014 Great American Main Street Award
USDA Rural Development Assisted Woodbine’s Downtown Revitalization Efforts through Funding for Medical Clinic, Fire Station Expansion and Building Renovations
The southwest Iowa community of Woodbine, population 1,450 in Harrison County, yesterday received national recognition as one of three recipients of the 2014 Great American Main Street Award. The award was announced at the National Main Streets Conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Woodbine was recognized along with Milledgeville, Georgia and Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the award program organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Semifinalist included Beaufort, South Carolina; Bedford, Pennsylvania; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Grand Haven, Michigan; Middlesborough, Kentucky; Pontiac, Illinois and Rawlins, Wyoming.
More Information >>
• Construction Begins on Cedar Valley TechWorks Campus
Construction is underway at the Cedar Valley TechWorks Campus. Modifications to the existing Tech I structure started on April 14, 2014 as part of the $2M construction project. This project focuses on basic interior renovations and preparation for additional projects on the first two floors. The project will bring both spaces to a ready state for future tenant improvements. The current project includes insulation, windows, basic utilities, lighting, and HVAC. Tenants for the first and second floors have been identified, with negotiations ongoing. The project is scheduled for completion fall 2014. The Cedar Valley’s Cardinal Construction is the design-build general contractor. INVISION is their design partner.
More Information >>
• German Wind Energy Company Locating in Estherville
Upon being introduced to a German wind energy company over four years ago at the nation’s largest wind energy trade show in Dallas, the company has chosen to locate in the Iowa Lakes Corridor. windtest of Grevenbroich, Germany, has established their North American company and opening their North American headquarters in Estherville, Iowa this summer. Kathy Evert, President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, is very excited about this decision for the region and for Iowa.
windtest, in the market since 1996, has established itself internationally as an accredited measuring and testing institute and made its name worldwide as an independent evaluator and service provider in the wind energy sector. windtest is accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025; and a member of MEASNET.
More Information >>
• Polaris to Add 150 Jobs at Milford, Iowa Plant
Dave Dreeszen, SiouxCityJournal.com, May 17, 2014
Polaris Industries won more than $1 million in state incentives Friday to help support a $10 million expansion of its Milford, Iowa, factory and add 150 new jobs.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved $706,000 in tax credits and a $300,000 forgivable loan for the Roseau, Minn.-based company, a maker of all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles and neighborhood electric vehicles.
Read More >>
• Mortenson is Here to Stay
Expect the Minneapolis-based company to take up residence after landing downtown convention center hotel deal
By Kent Darr, Senior Staff Writer, BusinessRecord.com, May 23, 2014
It’s a short walk and a quick look up in downtown Des Moines to spot projects developed by Minneapolis-based M.A. Mortenson Co.
The 60-year-old firm will lead the development and construction team on a proposed convention center hotel that will change the downtown skyline. Mortenson has been doing just that in Des Moines and across the state since the 1990s.
Read More >>
• Caleris Expects to Add 70 More Jobs Locally
Marshalltown location keeps growing
By Andrew Potter, Staff Writer, TimesRepublican.com, May 13, 2014
A growing business in Marshalltown is expected to add 70 more jobs this year, according to the company's president.
Caleris, which operates a technology support inbound call center in the Max Building at 11. E. Church St., currently has more than 100 employees.
Read More >>
WHO'S WHO - MEMBER NEWS
• New Members
David Miller, Rock Valley Economic Development Corp
• Job Postings:
Economic Development Director, Bremer County, Waverly
Domestic Business Development Manager, Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, Omaha
Economic Development Director, Benton Development Group (BDG), Vinton
Project Manager/Economic Development, Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, Omaha
President/CEO, Ottumwa Property & Redevelopment Co., Ottumwa
Vice President, National Business Attraction, The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Davenport
Community Development Director, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Fort Dodge
Executive Director, Fayette County Economic Development, West Union
President & CEO Iowa Lakes Corridor, Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, NW Iowa
Director of Economic Development, Buchanan County Economic Development, Independence
Economic Development Specialist, City of Urbandale, Urbandale
More Information >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
• PDI's The Partners, The Profession, The Process
July 15, 2014 - 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Farm Bureau Offices, West Des Moines, IA
Register with director@pdiowa.com
• OU/EDI Marketing & Attraction Course
Online
July 21 — September 14, 2014
More Information >>
• Preserve Iowa Summit
August 21-23, 2014
Cedar Rapids, IA
http://www.culturalaffairs.org
• OU/EDI Business Retention & Expansion Course
Online
September 22 — November 16, 2014
More Information >>
• PDI Fall Conference
September 24-26, 2014
Honey Creek Resort, Moravia, IA
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 Supporting Sponsors
Black Hills Energy (Fall only)
Conference Exhibit Sponsors — Fall & Spring
Center for Industrial Research & Service - ISU
Convergent Fundraising Solutions
Diligent Development
Fall Only
JEO Consulting Group Inc.
Iowa Small Business Development Centers
North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation
Spring Only
UNI-Small Business Development Center
BREI Award
Smart Solutions Group
Blane Canada
Contributing Sponsors — Fall & Spring
Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO)
Iowa Association of Business & Industry
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Midland Power Cooperative
Spring only
Iowa Utility Association
Fall only
Access Energy
Greater Burlington Partnership
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative
Host Community Sponsors
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative
Indian Hills Community College
Lucas County Development Corporation
Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative
Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative, Inc.
The Opportunity Squared
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