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IDED Quick News
The news report for customers, partners and friends of the
Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Contents:
Economic
Development Top Stories
·
Governor Highlights Economic Development
·
Blouin Takes IDED Helm
·
Chiodo Named IDED Legislative Liaison
·
Clarke American Completes Ankeny Construction
·
Existing Homeless Programs Receive HUD Funds
Business
Development News
·
CEBA Award to Nevada for Envelope Plant
·
Bridgestone/Firestone Receives NJIP Award
·
Enterprise Zones Declared in Adair and Floyd Counties
·
Venture Network Features Six Presentations
·
A Taste of Iowa® Hosts Des Moines Metro Market Meeting
·
A Taste of Iowa® Hosts Small Food Business Seminar
·
HRRC at Regents Career Fair
·
HRRC Alum Mailing Underway
·
Spring Break in Iowa 2003 Underway
·
HRRC Visits Hispanic Engineer Conference
·
HRRC to Display at Black Engineers Fair
Community Development News
·
Volunteer-a-thon Smashing Success
·
2003 Travel Guide Released
·
Travel Coupons Available On-line
·
Selection Decisions Made for Two Main Street Projects
·
Main Street Loan Program Productive
·
Infrastructure Team Reviewing CDBG Applications
·
Housing Fund Applications Being Reviewed
·
The Travel Federation of Iowa to Host Legislative Showcase
·
Iowa Represented at Bank Travel Marketplace in Louisville
·
“Rain” Movie Tickets Available
·
Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service Legislative Breakfast
Reception
·
The Governor's Conference on Volunteer Service April 15-16
Calendar
of Events
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Governor
Tom Vilsack highlighted economic development in his condition of the state address. Among
the proposals he made was a $500 million “Iowa Values Fund” which would provide
economic development funding both regionally and state-wide. The proposal has
received praise from many quarters including the Association of Business and
Industry. The Governor also set the goals of increasing the number of bio-tech
companies in Iowa, doubling the number of college-experienced Iowa workers and
increasing output of renewable fuels and alternative energy.
Governor
Tom Vilsack and Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson have named Michael T. Blouin Director of the Iowa
Department of Economic Development (IDED). The decision reflects the
administration’s intent to make higher paying jobs and business start-ups a
major focus heading into the legislative session. “Beyond his outstanding
experience and leadership in working to create jobs and spur economic growth,
Mike Blouin has earned the trust of community leaders across the state,“
Governor Vilsack said. “From his work in the Statehouse, at the U.S. Capitol
and on Main Street, he knows that Iowa’s success depends upon our ability to
take bold steps to get our state’s economy moving.” Lt. Governor Pederson said,
“In his new role, Mike Blouin will work to expand economic opportunity to all
corners of Iowa, from rural areas, to small towns, and to regional commercial
centers.“ Blouin became IDED Director on Thursday, January 16.
IDED
Director Michael T. Blouin has announced the appointment of Frank Chiodo as Legislative Liaison for
the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Chiodo was recently elected to his
fourth term in the Iowa House from District 62, an area in Des Moines’ south
side. This session he was to be the Democratic minority whip, making him the
second highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. The past three
years he has also served as ranking member of the Commerce Committee.
Eleven
existing projects for homeless Iowans have been approved for funding totaling
$2.5 million
from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.) However,
HUD had denied the grant requests because Iowa’s application was missing pages
when it arrived in Washington, D.C. The original application on file in the HUD
regional office in Omaha, NE, was complete. Four proposed new Iowa projects
will not receive funding this year, according to HUD. IDED will continue to
pursue funding for these new projects, which total $1.9 million.
Clarke
American Checks, Inc. recently completed construction on a $12.5 million
state-of-the-art check printing facility in Ankeny. The company is bringing 89 new jobs to Central Iowa. “The Clarke
American project is a model for the way economic development should work around
the State. It’s the perfect example of
how local, regional and state cooperation can benefit the entire area,” said
IDED Director Mike Blouin. The City of Ankeny successfully applied to the Iowa
Department of Economic Development (IDED) for funds from the Community Economic
Betterment Account (CEBA) to assist in the recruitment of the company. Ankeny
Mayor Merle Johnson presented the check for $274,500 to plant manager Scott
Finses. The CEBA funds are half loan and half forgivable loan at zero percent
over five years.
Business Development News
The
DED Board recently approved a $129,000 investment (one-third loan/two-thirds
forgivable loan) from the Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) to
Nevada to help recruit a Minnesota
envelope printing company to Iowa. The IDED board approved the funds for the creation
of 43 jobs at an average starting wage of $14.50 per hour. Nevada is competing
with another out-of-state location for an expansion facility of Priority
Envelopes of Minneapolis. If Nevada gets the expansion plant, the company would
invest $3.4 million and would move into a new 40,000-sq. ft. building, which is
expandable to 90,000 sq. ft.
A
possible $20 million global distribution center that Bridgestone/Firestone is considering for Polk
County has been approved for the New Jobs and Income Program (NJIP). The Iowa
Department of Economic Development (IDED) board approved the application for
incentives. The application requests only local property tax exemptions in
years 6-10 if 50 jobs are created within the first 5 years and the investment
is made. The company is not requesting
state tax credits or construction sales tax refunds that could also be
available under the NJIP program.
Adair
and Floyd Counties recently received approval of new Enterprise Zones from the Iowa Department
of Economic Development (IDED) board to spur industrial and housing
development. Adair County received certification of a 10-acre area in Adair
Industrial Park #1 as an Enterprise Zone. Floyd County received certification
of 3.5 acres of undeveloped land in the community of Floyd for the city's first
Enterprise Zone, which will be used for new housing development. Under Iowa's
Enterprise Zone program, state and local tax benefits may be extended to
investments that develop housing in approved areas or create quality job
opportunities.
The
Venture Network of Iowa Forum originated from the IDED on January 9th.
Robert G. Riley, Jr., President & CEO of Feed Energy Company, was the
keynote speaker. Six companies gave five-minute presentations--U.S.
Transportation Logistics, Davenport; Ambient Telecom, Inc., Sioux City; Three D
Industries, LLC, Winterset; MyMedMart.com, Inc., Webster City; Pheno Imaging,
Inc., Broomfield, CO; and Sciengistics, LLC, Des Moines.
A
Taste of Iowa® recently hosted an informational meeting at IDED on
The Metro Market project planned for Des Moines.
The concept is for an indoor farmers’ market for Iowa producers who are
looking to sell their products throughout the year. IDED introduced this new “store front” concept to A Taste of Iowa
members and encouraged them to consider ways to participate.
A
Taste of Iowa® is hosting the Business Assistance for Small Food
Businesses
and Entrepreneurs Seminar on Wednesday, January 22, 2003, in Des Moines. The seminar will provide an overview of
resources available to start and develop a food business. The agenda includes: an introduction of the
services available through the Food Processing Center at the University of
Nebraska Lincoln; overview of the “From Recipe to Reality” seminar as the first
phase of the Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program; food safety and inspection;
custom packaging and manufacturing; and IDED financial assistance
programs. IDED will also present
information on a scholarship program available for company representatives to
attend the “From Recipe to Reality” seminar.
The Human Resources Recruitment Consortium (HRRC) promoted Iowa
career opportunities at the Regents Universities Career Fair at the Polk
County Convention Center on January 8. Employers gave personal assistance to
students and professionals looking for work and collected the resumes of
qualified candidates to network with Iowa employers not in attendance. Students
from Iowa independent colleges also were invited to attend the career fair.
The
fourth annual HRRC alumnus mailing is underway. The newly updated alumni brochure is being mailed to the 200,000
plus alumni of Iowa's public and private colleges and universities who
graduated in the years 1975 to present. Just as in years past, a letter is included
from each college inviting alumni to consider returning to Iowa. Alumni can
also self-select to receive additional information about working, living and
playing in Iowa.
The
Spring Break in Iowa program 2003, which gives students an opportunity to spend
their break at an Iowa company, is on track. Agreeing to host students the week
of March 17-21 so far are HON Industries, Integer, MidAmerican Energy, Pella
Corporation, Principal Financial Group, Rockwell Collins and Wells Fargo
Financial. The HRRC staff recently sent an invitational e-mail with details
about the program to the career placement professionals, professors and
students at the universities and colleges throughout the state. Resumes are
arriving from students who want to participate in the program.
HRRC presented at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
National Conference and Career Fair in New Orleans recently. HRRC member
representatives from Pella Corporation and MidAmerican Energy presented the
excellent career opportunities in engineering to this diverse audience.
The
National Society of Black Engineers Career Fair is scheduled for March
20-March 21, 2003, in Anaheim, California. The HRRC will have a booth at the
career fair. Thousands of underrepresented professionals with experience in
various engineering disciplines, physical sciences and information technology
attend this career fair every year.
Community Development News
The
Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and Iowa Public Television collaborated over several
months to hold Iowa's first ever "volunteer-a-thon." The event, called Volunteer Iowa!, aired on
IPTV stations across the state. Viewers were encouraged to call in and make a
commitment of volunteer service hours for 2003. By the close of the program, Iowans pledged 419,523 hours of
service which is valued at $6,733,344. This is a "smashing"
success and a testament to the spirit of volunteerism in Iowa.
The
Iowa Tourism Office has released the 2003 edition of the Iowa Travel Guide, the organization’s
prize-winning annual publication. The trip-planning book’s cover colorfully
illustrates the diversity of activities and attractions in Iowa, giving special
feature to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial, which will be commemorated around
the country this year. The Iowa Travel Guide provides information about the
state’s communities, attractions, lodging facilities, recreation areas and much
more over 176 pages divided into 10 travel regions. In addition to the travel
guide the Tourism Office released the 2003 Iowa Calendar of Events in January.
The Iowa Travel Guide and Iowa Calendar of Events are available free of charge
by calling 800-345-IOWA or by visiting http://www.traveliowa.com/. Complimentary copies are also available at
any of the state’s 21 welcome centers.
Travel savings coupons are now available on the tourism web site at http://www.traveliowa.com/.
Attractions, hotels, restaurants, events and other tourism facilities can offer
a value for travelers. The coupons may be printed off before the traveler
leaves home.
Selection decisions were made for two HUD funded Main Street
projects. The first was environmental review services for Main Street
Challenge Grant recipients. Simmering-Cory has been selected to do the work for
$15,500. The contract is being drafted.
Also, Burnes Consulting was selected to conduct a series of six regional
retail-related workshops. Johnson & Segel Partnership was selected to
perform twenty-five on-site retail retail-related workshops and 125
"one-on-one" business assistance visits for downtown Main Street
business owners.
The Main Street Loan Program, a joint program with the Iowa
Finance Authority and the Federal Home Loan Bank had a very productive first
year. Seven applications were received.
To date, five have been approved totaling $961,780. These low interest loans
are part of the funding to rehabilitate 10 upper floor apartments and thousands
of square feet of additional office space in 6 downtown buildings in 5 different
Main Street communities. The Downtown Resource Center has design approval of
every project before IFA will proceed with loan approval. For more information,
contact Thom Guzman at 515.242.4733.
Infrastructure
Team staff members are currently reviewing Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) water/sewer and community facilities and
services applications. For more information, contact Hank Manning at 515.242.4836..
A total of 108 Housing Fund applications were received in December. Fourteen
applications are seeking funds for home ownership programs, 85 are seeking
funds for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs, and 9 others are
seeking funds for rental projects or programs. The tentative award date for
these is March 5, 2003. For more information, contact Terry Vestal at
515.242.4850.
The
Travel Federation of Iowa will host their annual Legislative Showcase on Tuesday, January 28,
2003, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Cattle Barn on
the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Over 60 communities and attractions will feature
their tourism opportunities and visit with their legislators.
Iowa
will be represented at the Bank Travel Marketplace in Louisville, Kentucky, January 30 -
February 1, 2003 and at the American Bus Association Marketplace on February 1
- 6 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Group tour operators will receive information
about tourism itineraries in Iowa and leads from the show will be provided to
the tourism industry.
The
movie “Rain”, which was filmed in State Center and Cambridge, will be shown in
Marshalltown on February 3 and 4, 2003. Tickets are available through the Iowa
Film Office. Call 515-242-4726 or FAX at 515-242-4809.
Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) Legislative Breakfast
Reception will be February 18, 2003, at 7:30 a.m. in the State Capitol
building. ICVS commissioners and staff
will be on hand to talk with legislators about ICVS programs and
activities. Several AmeriCorps program
representatives will also attend to showcase the activities Iowa's AmeriCorps
members are involved in. More
information is available by contacting Kelly Thompson at 515.242.4866.
The Governor's Conference on Volunteer Service, will be held April
15-16 at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott. John Bridgeland, Director of USA Freedom Corps and special
assistant to President Bush, has been invited to be a plenary speaker. Confirmed plenary speakers are Greg Alan
Williams and Rudy Simms (Director of Iowa's branch of the National Conference for
Community and Justice). More information
is available by contacting Jody Benz at 515.242.4764.
Calendar of Events
For
up-to-date IDED Calendar of Events listings Click Here: http://www2.state.ia.us/ded/idedsrchcal.asp?sm=1
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