ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP FOCUSES ON RELATIONSHIPS
IDA GROVE, Iowa (November 14, 2006) — There’s nothing more inspiring than witnessing growth — whether it’s children, crops or communities. It’s this inspiration that has motivated Western Iowa Advantage (WIAD) in its economic development initiatives during the past year.
Rita Frahm, president of the Ida County Economic Development Corporation and the Ida County representative for WIAD, cites the recent membership with the Iowa Careers Consortium (ICC) as a chief accomplishment of WIAD. “Economic development initiatives like WIAD are only successful if they utilize other programs, partnerships and resources available to them,” said White. “The ICC will provide us with the resources to attract highly skilled workers to the Western Iowa region.”
The Iowa Department of Economic Development created the ICC in 1998 as a cohesive private-public marketing initiative designed to increase the pool of workers considering Iowa opportunities.
“The greatest strength of the ICC is the strong relationship it has with college and university alumni offices in Iowa, which has enabled the ICC to reach out to 215,000 Iowa alumni living outside the state,” said Kay Snyder, communications manager with the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
“ICC has also built a database of more than 9,000 people who will continue to receive more information about Iowa opportunities,” added Snyder. “We continue to market to these people on a consistent basis so when the time is right for them to consider a relocation, we hope Iowa is at the top of the list.”
WIAD members have already begun taking advantage of ICC benefits like the Iowa Job Bank, an electronic bank of professional and technical job opportunities provided by Iowa Workforce Development. The Iowa Department of Economic Development also provides a similar bank via www.smartcareermove.com.
“Another key way to utilize the ICC program is to be actively involved in the committees and board meetings,” added Snyder. “This has allowed WIAD to be a part of the conversations that determine the marketing focus and activities for the upcoming year.”
Through a partnership with the University of Northern Iowa’s Institute for Decision Making (IDM), WIAD also completed cluster and targeted industry analyses. The data helped WIAD identify regional areas of strengths.
The work of WIAD partners and their county development corporations has been instrumental in the formation of partnerships, such as cross-county development corporations promoting site selection and entrepreneurial assistance programs.
“The quality of life will sell itself here in Western Iowa, which is why promotion of job opportunities and business incentives is so primary to the work of WIAD,” added Frahm. “There are good things growing in Western Iowa, and state programs like these help WIAD spread the inspiration of growth.”
