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PDI POST
   PRESIDENTIAL POST    DEVELOPMENT UPDATE    LEGISLATIVE UPDATE    PDI PRIDE    WHO'S WHO    EVENTS    SPONSORS September 1, 2012   

PRESIDENTIAL POST
By Sandy Ehrig, PDI President


PDI Members,

On Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 3:00-4:00 p.m. join us for another free educational program, as PDI partners with IEDA to host an audio call about the new ESOP legislation and how ESOPs can be used as a business succession plan. The call will provide participants with a basic understanding of an ESOP and the benefits of creating one. Register today!

From our neighbors in Wisconsin...

Hello. I am writing you today as a board and committee member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA). WEDA is a statewide membership-driven organization with about 400 members, primarily EDOs. Beginning this year, and for the immediate future, WEDA will be placing a renewed emphasis on educating the economic development professionals in the state and we would like to include the Professional Developer of Iowa members in on these events. This work is being generously supported by our state public-private partnership, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

IEDC Courses in Wisconsin
[Log onto http://weda.org/professional-development for more information]
Already in 2012, WEDA has committed to hosting the following:

  • Economic Development Marketing & Attraction, October 25-26, 2012 in Madison
  • Basic Economic Development Course, September 10-13, 2012 in Madison
In addition, we are planning to host additional courses that would count toward the IEDC’s CEcD certification:
  • IEDC Business Retention & Expansion, March 21-22, 2013 in Madison
  • IEDC Real Estate Development & Reuse, May 16-17, 2013 in Madison
  • Workforce Development Course, July 17-19, 2013 in Madison
  • IEDC Economic Development Strategic Planning, August 15-16, 2013 in Madison
NDC Courses in Wisconsin
WEDA has recently been asked if we would also like to host the NDC courses which lead toward EDFP certification. There would be potential overlap among the potential attendees of both certification routes. If you would like more information, please contact:
Janet Ady, President
Ady Voltedge
613 Williamson Street, Suite 201
Madison, WI 53703
608.663.9218
jady@voltedge.com www.adyvoltedge.com




DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

 The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is Sponsoring IASourceLink

IASourceLink is a statewide network for entrepreneurial assistance, powered by Iowa’s small business resource providers.

A web-based platform, IASourceLink will facilitate effective use of Iowa’s entrepreneurial service providers by efficiently linking small businesses to the right resources at the right time. IASourceLink will leverage your marketing efforts by connecting you with the customers you have identified as needing your organization’s core services. You will be able to enter your conferences, webinars, and training on a state-wide calendar of events. IASourceLink is part of the national small business network facilitated by the Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship.

More Information >>

 IEDA Training Events - Sustainable Stormwater Infrastructure

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is offering a series of stormwater management workshops for local government officials and related policymakers, and a webinar for the 2013 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application Workshop. Details about the stormwater management workshops are included below this message.

The CDBG application workshop will occur on September 4 from 1:00 – 4:00 via webinar. Information on how to join the webinar will be provided in a future email, as IEDA is changing webinar service providers. IEDA will cover a variety of topics related to the state CDBG program requirements, and preparing to apply for the program. Application due dates will be in late 2012/early 2013, dates to be announced. Funding programs include Water/Sewer, Community Facilities, and Housing Rehab. Stormwater projects may apply under the Community Facilities program, and training provided at the upcoming IEDA and CDBG-sponsored Comprehensive Approaches to Stormwater Management workshops will prepare communities to plan and submit a stormwater project for CDBG Community Facilities funding consideration.

More Information >>

 Mark Your Calendar!

Mark your calendar for the 2012 BEST Workshops for September 11-13. The workshops will l focus on helping you understand data derived from your existing business interviews. Focusing on Synchronist, you’ll gain a better understanding of the report functions, learn from each other, and know how to benchmark your data against the state, Midwest and National Data Standards.

You won’t want to miss Mitch Matthews as the lunch key note speaker in his delivery of Google Your Brain™. His presentation will focus on questions to help organizations with mature products think outside the box and develop new solutions and approaches to help existing business and industry in your region.

[Link no longer available.]

 Prospect/Site Selector Deer Hunt:

Statewide economic development partners are welcome to invite key current prospects and site selectors to Iowa to participate in Governor Branstad’s Deer Hunt to be held in early January in some of Iowa’s best hunting locations. The weekend will begin with a reception and banquet with muzzle-loader deer hunting available the next two days with renowned guides and outfitters. If you have a prospect you’d like to invite to this first-class hunting opportunity, please contact Kathy Anderson at 515.725.3149 or Kathy.anderson@iowa.gov.

 2012 Housing Iowa Conference
Business Record Daily AM, August 10

The 2012 Housing Iowa Conference: Strength in Partners is a must-attend event with more professional trainings and education sessions for all types of housing professionals than ever before - including expanded content for lenders and Realtors! The 2012 Housing Iowa Conference will be held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, September 5-6.

More Information & Registration >>

 IEDC Business Retention & Expansion Training

This interactive course presents the core components of a BRE program and why the concerns of local businesses need to be actively addressed. By building an understanding of business visitation techniques and survey methods, practitioners will be able to clearly gauge their community's business climate. Learn the "red flags" that may indicate a company is looking to move elsewhere, and learn how to structure an effective technical assistance program to respond to business concerns. This course helps participants understand how a BRE program relates to attraction, workforce development, small business finance, technology transfer and many other economic development activities.

More Information & Registration >>

 PDI Fall Conference — Make Your Hotel Reservations

Have you made your hotel reservations for the PDI Fall Conference — September 26-38, 2012? We are only four weeks away from the start of the conference and the room block drops Monday, September 10!
Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Garden Inn Omaha East/Council Bluffs
2702 Mid America Drive, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Phone: (712) 309-9000 – Group Code: PRO
Room rate is $99/night - This is a smoke-free hotel
Parking is free!
Country Inn & Suites
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Council Bluffs, IA
17 Arena Way, Council Bluffs IA 51501
Reservations: (800) 830-5222 Toll-free or Local (712) 322-8282
Room rate: $77/night — Smoking Rooms Available
Parking is free; Deluxe breakfast also provided
Be sure to mention Professional Developers of Iowa for the above rates.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION/PROGRAM:
(Registration deadline is September 14!


Information regarding PDI’s Fall Conference is available online at:
[Link no longer available.]

NOTE: Be sure to log in as a member once you get to this page — look for the member rate of $250 at the top of the page (not $350 which is the non-member rate) and the form should auto fill with your information as well. If you are a sponsor and receive a complimentary registration - please download the .pdf on this same page and fax/send in.

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming PDI Fall Conference or are interested in sponsorship/exhibitor information, please contact the PDI office at (515) 243-4585 or director@pdiowa.com.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

 Mark Your Calendar

Mark your Calendar: PDI Grow Iowa Day at the Capitol 2013:
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Iowa State Capitol Rotunda

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Iowa Bankers Association




STATEWIDE PRIDE

 Iowa Economic Development Board awards $368K to Charles City pharmaceutical company

Cambrex Charles City, Inc., a subsidiary of Cambrex Corporation, manufactures Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and pharmaceutical intermediates for both the generic and branded human pharmaceutical markets.

Due to increased business opportunities, Cambrex has identified the need for a capital expansion to increase manufacturing capacity.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded the company $368,000 in direct financial assistance as well as tax benefits to build a new facility. This $17 million capital investment is expected to create 46 jobs.

Read More >>

 Managing the ESOP Benefit
by Victor Aspengren in Company Culture/ESOP, August 24, 2012

The average ESOP company contributes between 8 and 12 percent of an employee owner's wages into their ESOP account on an annual basis. This contribution is somewhere between three and four times the average 401k company match. This is a huge benefit to the employee owners and a wonderful marketing tool in recruiting new employees.

Read More >>

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MEMBER UPDATES

 New Members

PDI Welcomes Our New Members...
Angela Lawson, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, IA
Larry Lasley, Sr., ED Director, Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi/Meskwaki Nation, Tama, IA
Matt McQuillen, Assistant City Manager, City of Clive, Clive, IA
Phillip Wagner, Assistant ED Director, City of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA

PDI Welcomes Back...
Karen Merrick, COO, Iowa Innovation Council, Des Moines, IA
Steve Lacina, USDA RD Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development, Tipton, IA

 Did You Know...

...PDI’s History:

  • Started in 1973 with around 50 members
  • Original name was Iowa Professional Developers.
  • Original membership limited to those doing 100% economic development; included primarily state development office, utilities, railroads, and full-time community developers.
  • In late 80’s membership was broadened to include community colleges, extension service, workforce development, councils of governments, etc.
  • About the same time focus and mission was changed from industrial development to economic development.
  • In 1988 State Public Policy Group was hired to provide association management.
  • Association Management Ltd. took over in 2004.
  • Re-incorporated in 1989 as Professional Developers of Iowa to achieve tax-exempt status.
  • The late 80’s and 90’s also saw the creation of many new county-based economic development groups.
  • The net effect of these changes was that membership grew rapidly with women members comprising an ever larger percentage of the total.
  • Conferences were included as a part of member benefit early on. Conference were held twice yearly with the spring conference alternating between western and eastern Iowa and the fall annual meeting in central Iowa. Every conference had its own theme, with networking being common to all.
 Job Opportunities:

Executive Director, Cedar Co. ED Comm
Economic Development Coordinator, City of Davenport
Executive Director, Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County
Consultant, Business Solutions, DMACC, Ankeny Campus
Economic Development Director, Shelby County DevelopSource seeks Director
Executive Director, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
ICAD Group President, Iowa City

More on Job Opportunities >>
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UPCOMING EVENTS

 44th Annual Midwest U.S. – Japan Association

September 16-18, 2012
Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota
More Information >>

 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

 Regional Energy Codes Conference

October 16-18, 2012
Marriott in Regency Plaza
Omaha, Nebraska
Request for Presentation Proposals:
The deadline to submit proposals is APRIL 27, 2012.
More Information & Registration >>

 Iowa Innovation Gateway's Annual Export Conference

November 2, 2012
Michael J. Manatt Community Center
105 Jackson Street
Brooklyn, IA 52211
More Information & Registration >>

 2012 Competitiveness Conference & Site Selector Forum

December 2-4, 2012
Intercontinental Hotel Chicago
Chicago, IL
More Information >>

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SPONSORS

PDI Thanks the 2012 Sponsors

UNI



MidAmerican
IADG

Alliant Energy

Renew Rural Iowa
Council Bluffs Regional Economic Development Commission

Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau

Triple Event Sponsors
ITC Midwest
Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corp.
Iowa Economic Development Authority

Conference Supporting Sponsors
Black Hills Energy
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

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