PRESIDENTIAL POST
By Sandy Ehrig, PDI President

Sandy Ehrig PDI President

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was presented this week with an audio conference format. If you want to see the handouts and listen to the presentation please connect to the following link: (Link no longer available.)

PDI thanks Georgia VanGundy with Principal for coordinating this educational session on behalf of PDI members. Also thanks to Brad Henschen, legal consultant for Principal provided the ESOP 101 portion and Tim Whipple, general counsel and legislative liaison for IEDA offered the background and future interest with this important retention tool for successful Iowa employers.

PDI hopes to coordinate a follow-up webinar to showcase Iowa company examples in the near future. We are looking at a date in early October – stay tuned for more information.

PDI Fall Conference

I hope to see everyone in Council Bluffs on September 26-28!

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION/PROGRAM: (Registration deadline was September 14 – but we will let you in for the early bird rate thru today, Monday, September 17!)

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.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

• Skilled Iowa Initiative Launched to Assist Employers and Workers, Stimulate Business Growth

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

In June, Governor Terry Branstad unveiled the new public/private Skilled Iowa Initiative, a program that provides assurances to employers and potential employers that local workforces have the skills and abilities to fill job openings. The initiative promotes Skilled Iowa Communities, areas within the state with a certified workforce through the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) , encourage businesses to hire certified workers when applicable, and provide resources to those looking to improve their skills

More Information >>

• Stakeholder Involvement Opportunity - DNR 567--Chapter 133: Rules for Remedial Action by Responsible Parties

The Iowa DNR is proposing to rewrite 567—Chapter 133 of its rules regarding environmental cleanups. As a potential stakeholder, an email was sent to you on August 10, 2012 regarding this effort. A few comments have been received and the original date requested for a response has passed. The DNR has decided to extend the period for stakeholders to indicate support to September 28, 2012. If sufficient support exists at that time, the DNR will move forward with the rulemaking process consistent with Iowa Code Chapter 17A and Executive Orders 71 and 80.

If your organization has not already done so, please provide your support, or lack thereof, for proceeding with Chapter 133 rulemaking. This may be done through a written letter or email to Aaron Brees or me. Also, please let us know if your organization would be interested in serving on a stakeholder committee.

A Chapter 133 rulemaking web page is available at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryLand/ContaminatedSites/Ch133Rulemaking.aspx. Comments received are posted on this web page. Also the DNR’s response to comments and other supporting information will be posted on the web page.

Thank you for your consideration.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

• Panel Discussion

We will have a great legislative panel discussion at the PDI Fall Conference including:

Majority Leader Michael Gronstal (D)
Iowa State Senate
Representative Mark Brandenburg (R)
Council Bluffs, IA
Representative Mary Ann Hanusa (R)
Council Bluffs, IA
Representative Greg Forristall (R)
Macedonia, IA

The panel will be facilitated by Kelli O'Brien, Director of Public Policy, Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce

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STATEWIDE PRIDE

• Vision Iowa Board Awards $321,000 to Three Cities
Business Record Daily AM September 14, 2012

The Vision Iowa Board awarded $321,000 in grants to help fund a historic depot renovation in Osceola, a white-water feature in Elkader and riverfront development in Spencer, the board said Thursday. The board gave $88,000 to the Historic Osceola Depot and Visitors Center to renovate the interior of the building, including upgrades to utilities and mechanical system; paving the parking lot; and improving the lighting. Elkader was awarded $62,000 to help develop a white-water feature at a low-head dam that will be modified with special placement of large and small habitat boulders and a wave catalyst structure. Spencer's Little Sioux Riverfront & Trails Project was awarded $171,000 to help fund a pedestrian boardwalk; the installation of a bridge connecting to the city's trail network; and paving of almost 1.3 miles of 10-foot-wide recreational trail.

• Lee County to Receive $1.4 Billion Project
Corridor Business Journal, September 6, 2012

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds yesterday announced the single largest capital investment project in the history of the state and called on lawmakers to turn their focus to income tax reform during the next legislative session.

They joined representatives of the Iowa Fertilizer Co. to announce its final selection of a Lee County site for its $1.4 billion project that will create 165 permanent jobs and more than 2,000 construction-related jobs.

Read More >>

• Tax Incentives Approved for $1.4B Fertilizer Plant in Lee County
Mike Wiser, Quad City Times, September 6, 2012

Gov. Terry Branstad simultaneously celebrated and panned an agreement Wednesday that broke all kinds of state records to bring a $1.4 billion fertilizer plant to Lee County.

Egyptian-owned conglomerate Orascom Construction Industries will make the largest single capital investment in state history when it finishes construction on the Iowa Fertilizer Co. planned for a 500-acre site just east of Wever.

Read More >>

• Boosters Promote Wind Energy Power Lines
John Molseed, Cedar Valley Business Monthly Online, September 3, 2012

Clean Line Energy, a Texas-based company, is planning to build 500 miles of power lines across Iowa and Illinois dubbed the "Rock Island Clean Line."

Officials from Clean Line were in Waterloo last week to meet with interested contractors to talk about the project's needs.

Read More >>

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MEMBER UPDATES

• We hope to see you at PDI’s Fall Conference – September 26-38, 2012.

We are a little more than one week away from the start of the conference and we want you there!

As always, we have a great line-up of speakers/topics; the partner sponsorships PDI receives helps keep costs low and the networking breaks/receptions is where the real business happens!

Here’s some important information for you to know:

The room block dropped Monday, September 10 but we’ve secured additional rooms!

Hilton Garden Inn Omaha East/Council Bluffs is sold out.

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Council Bluffs, IA still has rooms!
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.

• Webinar on October 11

In November & December, 2012 Economic Census forms will land on the desks of businesses across the country. Among the recipients will be members of your organization, and they'll look to you to for help.

By taking part in this webinar, you can be ready to answer their questions, and provide the kind of support and guidance these businesses have come to expect. Here are some of the highlights:

• Find out more about the Economic Census and why response is so important
• Get instruction on filling out the forms and reporting electronically
• Learn what you need to know to help the businesses who will look to you for guidance
• Find out how you can help us get the word out