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2015 PDI Fall Conference
Brenda Clark Hamilton, MA Ed
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Get Inspired by Our Closing Speaker
Brenda Clark Hamilton, MA Ed.,
Fresh Coffee Professional Growth Programs
Algona, Iowa
Success Strategies for Times of Change
It has been said that the only real certainty in life is change. An ability to navigate change at work and home with strength, optimism, and an open mind affects not only your success in these areas, but also your happiness and peace of mind. This engaging, interactive session will provide practical, take-home strategies for approaching change in ways that lead to successful outcomes. We'll discuss common stages that individuals and organizations go through when facing change, including how to overcome specific obstacles such as fear of the unknown and conflicts with others going through the change process with you. Reluctance to change is a normal human emotion, but learning skills for confidently navigating change sets you up for a bright future...personally and professionally.
Brenda Clark Hamilton is a dynamic keynote speaker and workplace trainer who provides fresh perspectives in leadership, communication, customer service, team-building, and offering one's personal best to life, relationships, and career. A skilled and respected educator, Brenda's career experiences include coordinating professional development for 1200 teachers, serving on the Iowa Department of Education's Professional Development Stakeholders Group, and managing multiple projects as Professional Development Consultant for an Iowa education agency. Brenda holds a Master's degree in English Education, has supervised student teachers for two Iowa colleges, and has taught numerous graduate-level courses for teachers. Brenda grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa, and she lives in Algona, Iowa, with her husband, Chris, and their three teenage sons.
2015 PDI Fall Conference
September 23-25, 2015
Historic Park Inn, Mason City, IA
"Bring It Home: Harmonizing Growth & Talent"
REGISTER HERE >>
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• PDI Talkiing Points
PDI’s Lobbyists rely on PDI members to advance economic development policy at the Capitol. Your voice carries a lot of weight with your local legislators, so be sure to use it! PDI has put together talking points for you to use with candidates, media and your legislators.
Download these PDI Talking Points for the 2015 Legislative Session.
Leadership at the Iowa Legislators is changing for the 2016 session.
More Information >>
STATEWIDE PRIDE
• 2015 Women of Influence Honoree: Kathryn Kunert
By Perry Beeman, Senior Staff Writer, Business Record, July 30, 2015
Kathryn Kunert
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Kathryn Kunert is not one of those executives who sat down and mapped out a 40-year plan for their careers. She basically got her degree in public administration and set out to work hard. Her father had told her that doing so would open doors in the business world, and when the opportunity arose, she should walk through them.
She set out to do her job at MidAmerican Energy Co., starting with a government affairs position, and the bosses kept asking her to do more. She rose higher and higher on the organizational chart as she approached this, her 20th year with the utility. Now, she's vice president.
Read More >>
• Cedar Rapids Launches Microloan Program for Small Businesses
City says loans from $1,000 to $10,000 can help
Rick Smith, The Gazette, August 11, 2015
Microloans as small as $1,000 can provide a footing to help turn a business idea into a business, city officials said Tuesday.
With that in mind, the City Council voted to steer $50,000 from its existing Business Assistance Revolving Loan Fund for use by businesses seeking loans between $1,000 and $10,000.
Read More >>
• Iowa Receives $190,000 for Small Business Export Assistance
Business Record Daily AM, August 26, 2015
Iowa will receive $190,000 through a U.S. Small Business Administration program designed to support activities to increase exporting by small businesses. The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program award is part of $17.4 million awarded to 40 states and territories announced Monday by the SBA. The purpose of the 2015 awards is for states to assist small businesses with export-related activities or other export initiatives such as participation in foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, subscription services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as design of international marketing campaigns, export trade show exhibits, training workshops and more. Fewer than 1 percent of small businesses export; of those that do, 58 percent of them export to only one country, according to the SBA.
More Information about the State's Export Trade Assistance Program >>
• Venture School Begins Sept. 1 in Des Moines
Business Record Daily PM, August 26, 2015
Nine teams of local entrepreneurs next week will begin Venture School, a nationally recognized program for entrepreneurs developed by the University of Iowa's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. The program, which lasts about seven weeks, matches selected teams with a UI teaching team and a group of local entrepreneurial mentors.
Read More >>
• Sioux City MSA Ranked #1 for Income Growth
The Sioux City metropolitan statistical area has been identified as having the largest personal income growth in the nation, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and 24/7 Wall St.
Read More >>
• Shipping by Rail
Shortline rail track bolsters business for Le Mars industries
Shortline Track Bolsters Business for Le Mars Industries
By George Forbes, Sioux City Journal, August 23, 2015
A one mile stretch of rail track in Le Mars is expected to pay large dividends for some of the city’s biggest industries.
In April, the city of Le Mars and Burlington Junction Railway began an agreement that brings transload services to eight industries, allowing businesses to transfer shipments from one mode of transportation to another.
Read More >>
• Fidelity Bank & Trust Buying EDSB
Bank acquisition will bring the combined assets of the new entity to approximately $750 million.
By Jeff Montgomery, THOnline, August 27, 2015
Fidelity Bank & Trust will acquire East Dubuque Savings Bank, officials announced today.
The move would increase Fidelity's network of branches to 20 and bring its total assets to approximately $750 million. The transaction will be finalized Dec. 4, pending regulatory approval.
Read More >>
• Wells Blue Bunny to Expand in Le Mars, Create 19 Jobs
Sioux City Journal, August 21, 2015
A state board on Friday awarded the maker of Wells Blue Bunny ice cream $644,400 in tax incentives to help finance an expansion in Le Mars that is expected to create 19 new jobs.
Read More >>
EDUCATION
• Did You Know that there are 17 Councils of Governments across Iowa?
Councils of Governments are made up of multi-county regions to assist local governments with planning and programming. There are 17 Councils of Governments in Iowa, governed by a board of directors including officials from local government, business, education, economic development, and citizens.
COGs offer grant writing and grant management, codification, land use planning, zoning, transportation planning, small business loans, housing programs, transit services, and plan for and program distribution of federal transportation funds, including highways, transit, trails, and other enhancement programs.
In addition, COGs provide technical assistance and coordinate with state and federal government agencies, including the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Find The COG that Serves Your Community >>
WHO'S WHO - MEMBER NEWS
• New Members
Jayne Armstrong, US Small Business Administration, Des Moines
Janet Wilwerding, City of Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Hill
Jayne Kielman, Advance Iowa, Cedar Falls
Jordan Hobfoll, Iowa Innovation Corporation, Des Moines
Kirk Bjorland, Iowa Innovation Corporation, Des Moines
Laura Stein, Iowa Innovation Corporation, Des Moines
Barbara Hall, Iowa Innovation Corporation, Des Moines
Wade Wagoner, City of Norwalk, Norwalk
Kathy Anderson, Iowa Association of Business & Industry, Des Moines
• Scholarship Recipient
Alex Lynch, Eastern Polk Regional Development Inc. OU-EDI Session,Indianapolis, IN Dec., 2015
• Job Postings:
Executive Director, Sac County Economic and Tourism Development, Sac County
Executive Director, DeWitt Chamber & Development Company, DeWitt
Economic Development Dirrector, City of Estherville, Estherville
Project Manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Des Moines
More Information >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
• 2015 HousingIowa Conference
September 9-10, 2015
Coralville Marriott
Coralville, IA
More Information & Registration >>
• Community Brownfield Revitalization Grant Funding Workshop
September 15, 2015
Drake Community Library
Grinnell, IA
More Information >>
• PDI's Fall Conference
September 23-25, 2015
Historic Park Inn, Holiday Inn Express
Mason City, IA
For more information, contact Lynn Harkin, PDI Headquarters at (515) 243-4585 or Email director@pdiowa.com.
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