Recent News
Regional News
Virtual Spec Building Program Puts WIAD on the Map
The economic development partners that make up Western Iowa Advantage were looking for a program to provide an edge in developing and attracting businesses to both communities and counties. The Virtual Spec Building program has done just that, provoking interest both with local businesses and site selectors alike. Partially funded through a grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the VSB program has also allowed each county to market its available greenfield sites. Some chose to use the funds to prepare mailings or engineering studies, while others have purchased advertising in business journals or national site selector publications. “The sky’s the limit”, said Jim Gossett of Carroll Area Development Corporation. “We have an opportunity to create a unique situation combining both the virtual building program and the marketing to back it up.” Don Luensmann, Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County, agrees. “Each county has the chance to market itself in the way we think best. While we present a united message as Western Iowa Advantage through the program, we can still direct our marketing to the publics we’re trying to reach”. The Virtual Spec Building animations were designed by Ayars & Ayars of Omaha, NE, and can be found on the WIAD website under “Available Buildings”. Check it out today!
Site Selector Campaign
Approximately 500 site selectors from around the Midwest have begun receiving fun and informative mailings about the advantages of doing businesses in western Iowa. The Western Iowa Advantage began the periodic communications in December 2009 to spark interest with site selectors, the people who help companies’ direct their expansion and relocation efforts. Each mailing directs the site selector to www.youriowasite.com where additional information about the Western Iowa Advantage region can be found. Shirley Phillips of Sac Economic and Tourism Development (SETD), and Don Luensmann of the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County (CDC), are helping to spearhead the effort. The first postcard highlighted the commercial construction businesses located in western Iowa including Pella Corporation of Carroll, Cardinal Glass of Greenfield, and RL Craft of Denison, just to name a few. “These Companies Build Success…Right Here” was the theme of the first mailing.
The second mailing included a tube partially filled with popcorn. The theme? “Things Are Poppin’ in Western Iowa”. Popcorn growers and processors in the WIAD region were the subject in the mailing. Future communications will highlight the virtual spec building program, renewable fuels and biotechnology, workforce, and transportation.
As a follow-up to the mailing program, emails will be sent and developers will be arranging personal meetings with site selectors. Jim Gossett, Carroll Area Development Corporation, is planning to visit site selectors during a trip to Madison, WI in May. Luensmann will visit site selectors during a trip to Kansas City later this summer.
The site selector campaign, both mailings and personal visits, are intended to create and strengthen relationships with decision makers for companies planning expansions and relocations.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
Region XII is in the process of updating the 6-county regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) which serves as the economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy. It will set forth the goals and objectives necessary to solve economic problems and to capitalize on the resources of the region. The CEDS is also used to monitor and evaluate our long term economic goals and strategies and to coordinate the development activities in the region.
A primary objective of the process is to include input from as much of the population as possible, so Region XII developed two online surveys through surveymonkey.com to gather popular opinion on a variety of factors regarding the economic condition of the region. A community survey was advertised through local newspapers, radio, Facebook, and an email campaign which resulted in over 500 responses. A business survey was targeted more directly at businesses and economic developers with help from our partners in the county economic development offices and local chambers of commerce and had almost 100 responses.
The surveys covered a broad range of issues, from perceived strengths (great schools, health care, work ethic) and weaknesses (retail shopping, cultural events, skilled labor) to specific actions (tax incentives, marketing, infrastructure development) that communities and development officials could do to help retain and attract businesses. The results provided valuable insight into the problems faced by job-seekers and employers as well as consumers and producers in the local economy.
The survey data was introduced at planning meetings held throughout February with community and business leaders in each of Region XII’s six counties. Each group reviewed the survey data and added their own input to create lists of the strengths and weaknesses of their county, as well as potential opportunities and threats that could affect them going forward. Based on those factors, the groups developed broad goals for their county’s economic development, along with specific actions to help achieve those goals.
A final meeting will be held March 30th with representatives from each county reviewing the data in order to develop the goals, actions, performance measures, schedule and evaluation criteria that will make up the plan. A draft of the CEDS will be developed by Region XII and made available for a 30 day public comment period on the Region XII and Western Iowa Advantage websites by May 31st. It will then be formally approved by the Region XII Policy Council and Executive Board before submittal to the Economic Development Agency on June 30.
If you have any questions or comments about the CEDS, or would like to see detailed survey results, please contact Chad Schreck, Regional Planner, at cschreck@region12cog.org.
County Updates
Midwest Partnership Development Corporation
Guy Powell Award Goes to McDermott
A new addition to this year's event was the first annual Guy Powell Award, "recognizing excellence in leadership and passion for economic development in the Midwest Partnership Development Corporation region." Jack Brown, representing the Greenfield Development Corporation on which Guy had been a board member and leader for many years, emceed the award presentation.
This year's honoree was Doug McDermott (second from left in the picture above) of Jefferson, who recently retired as President of Home State Bank. Doug had dedicated himself many years to economic development in the Greene County area. McDermott's roots start in Adair County, where he was a graduate of Bridgewater-Fontanelle High School.
Business Acquisitions Highlight Activity
Anthony, a portfolio company of Los Angeles-based investment firm Aurora Capital Group, announced it has completed the acquisition of and partnership with Trausch Industries ("Trausch"), a portfolio company of the Edgewater Funds, a Chicago-based private equity firm. Trausch Industries is located in Audubon, Iowa.
Quad/Graphics will acquire Worldcolor, enhancing Quad/Graphics' position as a leader in the printing industry with increased efficiencies, greater geographic reach and broader product and service scope. The expanded Quad/Graphics will have nearly 30,000 employees serving customers in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Europe. Quad/Graphics has a presence in Greenfield, Iowa.
Specific plans have not been made known publicly, but local leaders at both companies say that the changes should be positive for west central Iowa.
Audubon County Joins MWP Alliance
Audubon County a county partner of Midwest Partnership Development Corporation (MWP) through Western Iowa Advantage has joined the three county alliance of Midwest Partnership.
The Midwest Partnership Development Corporation now consists of 4 counties including: Adair, Audubon, Greene and Guthrie.
Carroll County
Future Health, Inc. will create 48 jobs in Carroll over the next three years
The hard work of the folks at Future Health is paying off with new markets opening in the electronic health records field. CADC is delighted with the addition of 48 quality jobs in Carroll and looks forward to assisting the company with their growth plans going forward. Future Health Inc. (FHI) will be creating 48 new jobs in Carroll to provide technical assistance and training in support of the electronic health record (EHR) adoption of qualifying physicians in the state of Iowa and nationally. Additional project outcomes will result in customization of software to provide interface with existing systems and provide the infrastructure to support quality reporting mechanisms for compliance. The Iowa Economic Development Board approved an award of $144,000 from the Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program (GIVFAP) to support this project. The hiring began in February, 2010.Local match for the state's financial assistance package came in the form of a 5 year zero percent interest loan in the amount of $29,000 from Region XII Development Corporation’s Revolving Loan Fund.
Marketlink, Inc at capacity in Carroll, names new manager
Bob Beaman, VP Operations for Marketling, Inc. announced at a recent Carroll Area Development Corporation meeting that the firm has filled all 48 seats in a Carroll service center that opened just a few months ago. “This is well ahead of schedule. We are very happy to have the quantity and quality workforce we have here in Carroll,” said Beaman. The company also announced that Marissa Mumma has started as Call Center Manager in Carroll. Mumma will move to Carroll from Ankeny. She recently worked at Marketlink in Des Moines.
Marketlink is a leading provider of outsourced teleservices, delivering high-quality, outbound teleservices for clients who understand that the telephone is one of the most efficient, quick and cost-effective ways to reach their targets and grow their business.
Workforce development includes Career Pathway Panels and presentations to 8th Graders.
Each year the Carroll Chamber of Commerce coordinates Career Pathway Panels for sophomores at Carroll Community and Kuemper Catholic Schools. Nearly 50 panelists shared work experiences and career knowledge with sophomores in both schools. Thank you for helping the students make educated plans for their future. Eighth grade students throughout Carroll County are being exposed to career choices, job opportunities and expectations of the workplace as CADC presents information to students and parents during the time when 8th graders are making plans for the high school courses based on their interests. These have been very well received by the parents and schools and have served as conversation starters for families.
Mary Ann Schulte, New Hope Village; Amy Broderson and Allen Cheney, St. Anthony Regional Hospital; Nathan Caviness, Ohde Twit Funeral Home; and Jim Feauto, Regency Park of Carroll
Carroll Chamber of Commerce participates in “Invest in Yourself Day” at Pella Corp.
More than 20 agencies and organizations participated in the first "Invest In Yourself Day" at Pella Corp in Carroll. The objective was to allow Pella's team members to learn about different businesses and activities that are available to them in the Carroll area with the hope of getting more Pella team members involved in the community.
Crawford County
Crawford County Memorial Hospital
The new Crawford County Memorial Hospital is going up on the west edge of Denison. Despite the severe winter weather, significant progress has been made on the structure and outside work with commence within the next several weeks. Crawford County Memorial Hospital is one of the largest employers in Denison with more than 150 employees. The anticipated completion date for the new hospital building is June 2011.
Eventide Lutheran Home is Denison will begin construction on new assisted living units in April. Twenty-four units will be constructed on a former football field adjacent to the existing Eventide facilities. Existing services provided by Eventide include a nursing home and rehabilitation center, Eventide Senior Housing with independent apartment living, and RealLife Cooperative, a cooperative retirement community. Eventide has more than 100 employees and has operated in Denison for more than 40 years.
Monarc Technologies has begun its fiber overbuild of the Denison business district to provide phone and internet services. Monarc anticipates offering service to customers later in the spring following the completion of installation and testing of equipment. Monarc is a subsidiary of Arcadia Telephone.
The recently formed Denison Minority Enterprise Council provides educational opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Participants learn about business plans and financial forecasting, revolving loan funds, city, county and state workforce regulations, and city ordinances. Training session are held in the fall and winter. Although the focus is on minority and women-owned businesses, everyone is invited to participate in the program.
Greene County
GCDC Pursues Concept Plan for Industrial Park
The Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC) recently created a concept plan for the commercial development of approximately 40 acres of property along the IA-4 and US 30 corridor. The plan provides a basic layout of road, water/sewer and lot sizes as a means of providing a starting point to attract new industrial and retail business.
Ida County
One Good Thing Leads to Another.
Iowa Network Services (INS) and program partner, Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) both located in West Des Moines, Iowa announced the award of a Ripple Effect community planning grant. A $5,000 grant was made to Ida County Economic Development to retain the services of Bluespace Creative in Denison, Iowa for development of a comprehensive brand identity campaign for the organization. The $5,000 INS grant was applied for by the Schaller Telephone Company, the area’s full-service independent telecommunication provider. The marketing campaign will include development of brand marketing standards, website development, a tag line and positioning statement, and specific launch activities. The brand identity program will assist community leaders in positioning Ida County and the cities of Arthur, Battle Creek, Galva, Holstein and Ida Grove in a strategic and competitive manner for economic development.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Awards $2,500 Biodiesel Promotion Grant to Galva-Holstein Schools
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has awarded $2,500 grants to Iowa school districts through its Biodiesel Backer Award Program. The recipient of the grant Galva-Holstein Community School District.
“IRFA congratulates Galva-Holstein on their well-deserved selection as a Biodiesel Backer Award winner,” said IRFA Biofuels Manager Grant Menke. “This northwest Iowa schools has implemented unique and impressive programs that highlight the benefits Iowa schools can realize by making the switch to biodiesel blends. Clean, renewable Iowa biodiesel is the best fuel choice for school bus fleets, and more importantly, the healthiest choice for students. IRFA encourages all Iowa schools to learn the facts about biodiesel and then try it out in their school buses.”
Galva-Holstein Community School District has been fueling its buses, tractor and skid loader with biodiesel year round since 2005, using approximately 10,000 gallons of biodiesel per year. By running its vehicle fleet on biodiesel, Galva-Holstein has experienced lower transportation costs, reduced bus maintenance expenses, increased engine life and cleaner air for students due to a reduction in particulate matter, carbon dioxide emissions and unburned hydrocarbons.
This spring, Galva-Holstein will be hosting a “Go Green Week” for its 400 K-12 students that will focus on biodiesel. The school will partner with Galva Holstein Ag, LLC and Maple River Energy, a 5 million gallon per year soybean crush facility and biodiesel refinery, to coordinate this event, which will provide students with classroom curriculum, breakout sessions, speakers from the biodiesel industry and a tour of the local biodiesel plant.
Entrepreneurship Economic Development: Turning Policy Into Practice
A seminar entitled Entrepreneurship Economic Development: Turning Policy Into Practice was held on behalf of the region in Holstein. This seminar was directed for community leaders, elected officials, service providers and entrepreneurs. Maureen Collins Williams provided participants an overview of the services provided by MyEntre.net and the importance of entrepreneurship in our rural region. Entrepreneurship trends, critical services & resources available, and identification of the four species of entrepreneurs within our region were discussed. Information was also available for the Iowa Micro Loan program. Western Iowa Advantage is an affiliate of Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise & Community Vitality. This event was made possible through collaboration with MyEntre.Net, Community Vitality Center, Ida County Economic Development, and Western Iowa Advantage.
