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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Stacie LoVan, PDI President
Stacie LoVan
PDI President
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SURVEY: DO NOT TOUCH THAT DELETE KEY!
I know that the first reaction many of us have is to hang up or hit the delete key the moment we hear or read the word SURVEY. Completing a survey is time-consuming and often seen as holding no benefit to the survey-taker. PDI’s biennial survey is different! As a member of PDI, you benefit directly from the results of the survey. And, the information we collect is only as valuable as the number of members who take time to complete it.
The biennial survey allows PDI as an organization to gather information on our profession in Iowa as well as to receive feedback on PDI’s programming. One of the key outcomes of the survey is the salary and organizational profile report that PDI generates. Many members have used PDI’s survey results to demonstrate to their local investors the level of funding organizations across Iowa receive from public versus private sources. Government entities and EDO’s in Iowa use the PDI salary and benefits information to compare their pay structure with similar-sized organizations across the state. It’s a great benchmarking tool. The PDI Board uses the results of the survey to plan our educational programs, newsletter format, membership benefits and more.
You will have until Friday, August 15, to complete the survey. You can access the survey at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014PDI_Member_Survey. Thank you for taking a few minutes to respond. Results will be presented at the PDI Fall Conference at Honey Creek Resort in September.
Call for Leadership:
This year's annual meeting will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2014 during the PDI Fall Conference at the Honey Creek Resort, Moravia, IA. A nomination committee is being appointed, with current Vice President Jason Hutcheson chairing the group. The committee will be accepting nominations through Friday, July 18, 2014. PDI is a member-driven organization with a great tradition of an active board — these are three year terms. The PDI Board is responsible to:
Promote PDI among economic development industry;
Co-Chair a Committee and provide information to full board and back to members:
Recruit, retain and support membership;
Attend 10 board meetings/year and support PDI events;
Participate in association strategic planning and continue to monitor work plan throughout the year;
Be fiscally responsible and monitor association finances, programs, policies/practices etc.
If you would like to nominate yourself or a fellow PDI member, please send your nominations along with a bio/background information to PDI Headquarters by fax (515) 334-1167 or Email director@pdiowa.com. Thanks for supporting YOUR professional association!
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT
• Dan Anderson Talks about PDI's 40th Anniversary
View Dan Anderson's Interview >>
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
• New Application Round for Iowa’s Site Certification Program
One of the fastest growing trends in the site selection business is the demand for project-ready industrial sites. As companies continue to put pressure on the time allowed for making a location decision as well as the time required to start construction and complete the project, the need for certified sites increases. Companies looking to build new facilities want sites that are project-ready and relatively free from risk. Sites with contiguous acreage of 50-1,000+ are invited to apply. There are also individual park categories for sites between 100-499 acres and 500-999 acres. Certification criteria is available by contacting chris.cataldo@iowa.gov.
Certification benefits include:
- Effective pro-active marketing
- Prepares the community for better re-active marketing
- Educates the developer on the site’s strengths and weaknesses
- Speeds up the development schedule by having due diligence completed
For more information on the program or to register for the webinar, please contact: Chris Cataldo 515.725.3157
e-mail: chris.cataldo@iowa.gov
• Updated Laborshed Wages Available
As you know, IEDA’s business development financial assistance programs utilize "Laborshed Wages" to determine program eligibility. Each July 1, those wages are updated to reflect the new data available. You can find the updated wages for FY2015 by linking to iowaeconomicdevelopment.com. This page also lists the distressed counties that have been identified, triggering a 100 percent laborshed wage threshold instead of the typical 120 percent level.
• Regional Marketing Update
The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Regional Marketing program will begin accepting applications through www.iowagrants.gov on Tuesday, July 1. The following is a revised timeline for the process:
- July 1 — applications accepted
- July 31 — final day to submit applications
- September 15 — announcement of awards
- November 3 — funds distributed
Items that need to be updated and attached to your regional marketing application include:
- The region's updated lead protocol with partner signatures, identified points of contact and fiscal agent;
- Your regional strategic marketing plan including how your region will measure success upon completion of the project; and
- The region's budget, match, and documentation of committed funds. As you know, the adjusted timeline allowed IEDA to make some changes to the Regional Marketing Program to reflect the evolving needs of Iowa’s regions.
The key language change includes a new definition of “region” to indicate that a region shall consist of three or more contiguous counties, or two or more contiguous counties and one or more public or private, nonprofit entities that have entered into an agreement to pursue mutual economic development goals with a regional focus. The new language will take effect July 1, which is when IEDA will begin accepting applications. We are currently in the process of drafting administrative rules to reflect the program changes and are expected to be adopted by November 1. We welcome your feedback during the rulemaking process. Please send any comments via e-mail to chris.cataldo@iowa.gov.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• PDI Members Discuss New EPA Water Pollution Jurisdiction
One of our PDI lobbyists Craig Patterson met recently with Tim Whipple of IEDA, Nicole Crain with ABI, John Stineman with the Iowa Chamber Alliance, and Dustin Miller with the Iowa League of Cities to discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts via rule to redefine the federal government’s jurisdiction over water pollution.
Some say this proposed rule goes way too far. We are passing along some information to you for your review so you can familiarize yourself with the rule. Below you will see a few links with information, and attached you will find a 2-page document that was put together to summarize what it going on with the rule, along with a QandA received from the EPA (which is obviously going to be the EPA’s side of the argument.
More Information >>
STATEWIDE PRIDE
• Iowa Western to Open the Port Entrepreneurial Center
World-Herald News Service
Iowa Western Community College will publicly unveil the Port, its new entrepreneurial center, early next month.
The Port offers assistance to entrepreneurs and is intended to foster best practices for business startups through a cutting-edge workspace with technology intended to promote success.
Read More >>
Kiley Miller
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• Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Hires New CEO
by Matthew Patane, Des Moines Register
The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corp. has hired a new chief executive, the Spencer-based development group said today.
Kiley Miller, an economic development professional from Mount Pleasant, will take over as president and CEO of the group. Based in northwest Iowa, the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corp. represents the counties of Emmet, Dickinson, Clay and Buena Vista.
Read More >>
• Galva Plant First in Iowa to Make Cellulosic Ethanol
By Dave Dreeszen, Sioux City Journal, July 1, 2014
The first gallons of cellulosic ethanol were produced in Iowa on Tuesday as a farmer-owned plant in Galva commissioned an $8.5 million distillation unit...
Read More >>
• Involta Gets $50 Million Investment
By George C. Ford, The Gazette, July 2, 2014
Involta, a Cedar Rapids company that operates seven computer data center facilities across the United States, has secured a $50 million equity investment, the largest in its history.
M/C Partners of Boston led the investment, which included Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners. The financing will enable the company to make strategic acquisitions, provide some shareholder liquidity, and support Involta’s rapid growth providing colocation and managed services throughout the country.
Read More >>
WHO'S WHO - MEMBER NEWS
Kelly Kipping
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• PDI Recognizes Kelly Kipping for 20 Years of Service
This month Kelly Kipping, PDI Member Services Manager, celebrates 20 years of service with Association Management, Ltd. (AML). AML has been PDI’s management firm since 2003. Thank you Kelly for your dedicated service to AML and PDI, and for your contributions to the association management profession.
• New Members
Marlyn Jorgensen, Benton Development Group, Vinton, IA
• Job Postings:
Executive Director, Manchester Enterprises, Inc., Manchester
President, Marion Economic Development Company, Marion
President & CEO, North Iowa Corridor Economic Development, Mason City
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
More Information >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Cedar Valley International Trade Export Seminar Series
July 30, 2014
HyVee
Waterloo, IA
More Information >>
• OU/EDI Marketing & Attraction Course
Online
July 21 — September 14, 2014
More Information >>
• 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.
Host Community Sponsors
1st Iowa State Bank
Albia Industrial Development Corporation
Appanoose Industrial Corporation
Cargill Meat Solutions
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative
Indian Hills Community College
Lucas County Development Corporation
Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative
Opportunity Squared
Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation
Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation
Peoples State Bank
South Ottumwa Savings Bank
Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative
US Bank
John Deere Ottumwa Works
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
Point Builders LLC
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
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