Please take a few moments out of your busy schedule to complete the Professional Developers of Iowa 2012 Membership Survey. This information will be helpful for you to know:
How does your organization's budget compare to that of similar sized groups?
How much do organization's your size spend on marketing? On salaries?
What fringe benefits do your peers receive?
How many developers have an employment contract?
These and many more answers will be available from the results of the 2012 PDI Membership Survey, but only if you participate in the survey.
PDI is again using a web-based survey that you will find fast and easy to use. Survey questions not only include those directly related to wages and benefits, but also educational achievements, the type of organization the member represents, job titles, size of organizational budgets along with questions the PDI Board and its committees felt should be asked regarding not only PDI activities and services, but also the constantly changing business of economic development.
You will have until Friday, July 13, to complete the survey. You can access the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012PDIMemberSurvey. PLEASE, take the time now to complete your survey – the survey results are only as valid as the number of our members who complete it.
PDI has conducted a biennial membership survey since 1994, and the information obtained through those surveys provides a good means of developing trend information regarding economic development activities in Iowa. The PDI Board also uses results of the membership survey to evaluate our member activities and programs.
The membership survey is being conducted and tabulated on behalf of PDI by the University of Northern Iowa's Institute for Decision Making (IDM). Initial results of the survey will be presented at this fall's PDI Annual Conference in Councils Bluffs in September.
Questions concerning completing the survey can be directed to Shaun Arneson, Co-Chair of the PDI Membership committee (712.264.3474 - sarneson@lakescorridor.com) or to Drew Conrad (319.273.6977 - andrew.conrad@uni.edu) with IDM.
Sandy Ehrig,
President, Professional Developers of Iowa
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
• Online Resources for Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
FEMA and other government organizations, including USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov, the official web portals of the U.S. government, offer additional ways to connect with great information to help you prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
More Information >>
• Finding Regulatory Assistance from the IEDA
Iowa's Regulatory Assistance Coordinators [regassist.iowa.gov] network works as a unit across the State of Iowa enterprise to help you effectively identify your compliance needs and requirements. Our goal is to assist you in meeting business development timelines through efficient communication and timely processing of your compliance requirements needs. Visit the Iowa Environmental Business Assistance [enviroassist.iowa.gov/] portal for tips on identifying environmental compliance needs for your industry sector and frequently needed permit forms and guidance. This site provides easy access to assistance with regulatory requirements and resources for your business operation or project, information on compliance requirements and confidential non-regulatory assistance.
More Information >>
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• Mark Your Calendar
Mark your Calendar: PDI Grow Iowa Day at the Capitol 2013:
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Iowa State Capitol Rotunda
STATEWIDE PRIDE
• College Becomes Nation's Renewable Energy Leadership Center
By Randy M. Cauthron, Managing Editor
The Board of Iowa Lakes Community College recently formalized an agreement with the National Coalition of Certification Centers - NC3 - making the northwest Iowa system of colleges the nation's only Renewable Energy Leadership Center.
Read More >>
• Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Distribution Center in Spencer
The 200,000 square foot facility is to be in operation by fall.
Community and business leaders from Spencer and the Iowa Lakes Corridor region celebrated the groundbreaking of a regional distribution center on May 25th in the Spencer Green Industrial Center. Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will ship corn and soybean seed products from the 200,000 square foot facility, which is slated for completion and occupancy in October.
More Information >>
• ESOP Myths
By Victor Aspengren in Company Culture/ESOP
The baby boomers transitioning out of the business world could create a new platform for business. Instead of the traditional private sale, management buyout, or taking the company to market, an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) may be something to consider.
Read More >>
• Premier Business Class Hotel to Fly Flag Over The Green@TechWorks
Also, Hawkeye Community College ‘Green' Programs Locate at TechWorks
Today, TechWorks Campus, a division of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, together with Financial District Properties (FDP) revealed the hotel and management company to crown the six floors of the Tech 2 building. Simultaneously, they also announced a commitment from Hawkeye Community college to locate "green" technology classrooms and laboratories on the campus as well. Both announcements represent significant steps in the continued progress of developing The Green@TechWorks project.
More Information>>
• MAEDC Wants to Recognize You for your Good Works
MAEDC invites you to participate in the MAEDC 2012 Economic Development Awards program. These awards recognize outstanding efforts in development of marketing materials, marketing events and economic development efforts in our ten Midwestern states. Winners will be announced at the Mid-America Competitiveness Conference, December 2-4 in Chicago, Illinois. Award winners will be featured in the January 2013 issue of Site Selection Magazine! Award recipients will also be recognized in the MAEDC News and on the MAEDC website!
Don't miss this opportunity to highlight your organization's achievements!
More Information>>
MEMBER UPDATES
• Professional Developers of Iowa 2012 Fall Conference
"Exploring the Silicon Prairie….Technology & Economic Development"
Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Hilton Garden Inn/Country Inn & Suites, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Check out what's happening on Wednesday, September 26, 2012:
Golf Outing – Bent Tree Golf Club, 23579 Highway 6, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 (712) 566-9441, www.benttreegolfcb.com. Join your PDI friends for 18 holes on this Sweeping, rolling terrain coupled with dramatic elevation changes make Bent Tree Golf Club one of the most unique and challenging courses in the Omaha Metro area. With bentgrass fairways and five sets of tees that can stretch the course to over 7,000 yards from the back tees, Bent Tree Golf Course is a wonderful golfing experience for golfers of all skill levels.
Educational Session – "Use of New Technology Tools in Economic Development" with David Bayer, Pottawattamie County IT Department, Council Bluffs, IA. Learn about Cutting Edge Tools ED Practioners Can Use: Earth Maps, Enterprise Business, The Cloud, Smart Phones and Tablets, Maximizing Google Alerts. Bring your technology with you!
New Member/First Time Attendee Orientation – Meet the folks involved with PDI and what's happening during this great three-day event.
Welcome Reception – Whiskey Roadhouse, Horseshoe Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Music provided by BackTrack (You'll recognize some of these guys too!) Special thanks to our great hosts: Greater Council Bluffs Regional Economic Development Partnership and Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau
Come for the conference, networking and education – stay for the fun! Contact Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Center for more information.
Registration materials ready mid-July!
• Did You Know...
Did you know...PDI has membership all over the state of Iowa? Check out the map at
http://www.pdiowa.com/join-pdi/
• PDI Call For Leadership
Want to be a leader, have some fun and become more involved in the Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) organization? The PDI Board of Directors has several slots open for upcoming three year terms - beginning November 2012. The board is responsible for the supervision, direction and guidance of the affairs of PDI. Elections will be held at this year's annual meeting on Thursday, September 27, 2012 during the PDI Fall Conference at the MidAmerica Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa. A nomination committee is being appointed, with current Vice President Brent Willett chairing the group. The committee will be accepting nominations through July 5, 2012. PDI is a member-driven organization with a great tradition of an active board. If you would like to nominate yourself or a fellow PDI member, please send your nominations to Brent M. Willett, 641-423-0315 or Email bwillett@northiowacorridor.com. Thanks for supporting YOUR professional association!
• Welcome New Members
Patrick Trotter, Olsson Associates, Urbandale, IA
Steve Adams, ISU Extension & Outreach, Red Oak, IA
• Job Opportunities:
Economic Development Coordinator, City of Davenport
Economic Development Director, Wright County
Executive Director, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
City Administrator/Economic Development Director, City of Monroe
More on Job Opportunities >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Economic Development Strategic Planning Training Course
July 26-27, 2012
IEDC - Chicago, IL
More Information & Registration >>
• Iowa Downtown Summit
Tuesday-Wednesday, August 21-22, 2012
Presented by the IEDA and the Federal Home Loan Bank (Des Moines)
Keokuk, IA
[Link no longer available.]
• PDI Fall Conference
"Exploring the Silicon Prairie….Technology & Economic Development"
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
• Great Plains Energy Codes Conference
October 16-18, 2012
Marriott in Regency Plaza
Omaha, Nebraska
More Information & Registration >>
• 2012 Competitiveness Conference & Site Selector Forum
December 2-4, 2012
Intercontinental Hotel Chicago
Chicago, IL
[Link no longer available.]
SPONSORS
PDI Thanks the 2012 Sponsors
Triple Event Sponsors
ITC Midwest
Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corp.
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Conference Supporting Sponsors
Black Hills Energy
Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Iowa Workforce Development
Conference Exhibit Sponsors - Fall & Spring
Ady Voltedge
Convergent Non Profit Fundraising
Iowa Business Growth
Iowa State University CIRAS
JEO Consulting Group Inc.
North Iowa Corridor Development Corp.
Peoples Company
Spring Only
Viebicher Associates Inc.
Fall Only
Iowa City Area Development Group Inc.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Small Business Development Centers
Iowa Telecommunications Association
BREI Award
Smart Solutions Group
& Blane Canada
Contributing Sponsors - Fall & Spring
Iowa Association of Business & Industry
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Contributing Sponsors - Spring Only
Iowa Utility Association
Contributing Sponsors - Fall Only
Access Energy Cooperative
Buchanan County Economic Development
Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Midland Power Cooperative
