This is a periodic newsletter for customers, partners, friends and staff of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. It contains brief news items and links for gathering more information. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter please refer to the "unsubscribe" information at the end of the newsletter, or reply to this email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Please also reply with any comments or suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you.

IDED Quick News

The news report for customers, partners and friends of the

Iowa Department of Economic Development.

April 30, 2004

Contents:

Economic Development Top Stories

· Values Fund Awards Announced

· CEBA Awards Granted

· NCIP Benefits Approved

· IDED Board Announces TSB and SELP Awards

Business Development News

· Governor Leads Delegation to New Zealand

· Investment Trip to Europe

· Insurance/Financial Services Companies Recruited to Iowa

· Arizona Companies Recruited to Iowa

· IDED Attends Wind Energy Meeting

· ETAP Awards Made

· Materials Testing Service Program Helps Iowa Companies

· Waste Reduction Workshops

· IDED Attends Industrial Biotech Meeting

· HRRC Attends Minorities in Agriculture Meeting

Community Development News

· Main Street Announces New Community

· Final Small Business Workshop Held

· Main Street Awards Held

· National Trust Holds Regional Meetings In Des Moines

· Conditional CDBG Water/Sewer Awards Made

· Housing Fund Awards Still Conditional

· Iowa Film Office at Locations Expo

· Leads Available From Tourism Show In Los Angeles

· Tourism Unity Day Scheduled

· Tourism Office to Team With Iowa State Fair

· Community Development Fund Ward Made to Clinton

· Governor Presents Leadership, Betterment and Hall of Fame Awards

· Governor’s Volunteer Awards Program Expanded

Calendar of Events

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Economic Development Top Stories

Major initiatives to transform the Iowa economy were advanced recently with incentives put in place to keep Iowa competitive for 1,910 jobs and $102.3 million in new investments. The Iowa Values Fund Board and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) Board moved the proposals forward recently, awarding financial and tax incentives to 11 business projects.  The department also took action on five other projects.

The Iowa Values Fund Board approved investments in the following concerns:

• A telecommunications company headquartered in Des Moines, Lighthouse Communications, is leveraging a prestigious customer base and strong engineering staff to expand into “pay as you use” Information Technology (IT) services. The new IT services for small and medium size businesses will create and retain 125 jobs paying an average wage of more than $25 per hour. The Iowa Values Fund Board approved a $723,000 investment.
• Data Builder Inc., a joint venture of The Weitz Company and Emerging Growth Group, plans significant growth in management systems that link contractors, architects, suppliers and building owners. As the company begins nationwide marketing and meets accelerating interest in its technology products, 36 jobs will be created at an average wage of $16.90 per hour and five jobs retained. Based in Des Moines, Data Builder wants to roll out a second generation product for construction project closeouts and expand project control technology to real time documentation. The Iowa Values Fund Board approved a $116,000 investment in Data Builder.
• The Iowa Values Fund Board approved a $3.5 million investment to assist Fort Dodge Animal Health with a major expansion and retention of 921 manufacturing and 120 research jobs.  The projects include a new 150,000 sq. ft. hub distribution center and upgrading facilities. Additional incentive applications are pending

Following approval by the IDED Board, investments in Bettendorf, Carter Lake, Clinton and Dyersville were approved by the Iowa Values Fund Board from funds it has earmarked for the Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA).

• Autotech Technologies, which was damaged by a fire last February, will receive a $140,000 CEBA investment to rebuild and expand the production facility in Bettendorf. The $16 million project would create 30 jobs and retain 40 at an average wage of $16.96 per hour.
• infoUSA Marketing, Inc. was awarded $455,000 to create and retain 135 jobs and open a new technology office in Carter Lake. The average wage is $18.87 per hour. 
• Clinton is competing with other Blue Ridge Paper Products locations for the flexible packaging lines from a closed facility in Texas. To assist in recruiting the project to Iowa, the IDED Board approved a $150,000 CEBA investment for new production that would create 46 jobs at an average wage of $12.62 per hour.
• Retaining a distribution center in Dyersville and making it state-of-the-art is the goal of a $400,000 investment approved by the IDED Board for RC2 Corporation, formerly known as Racing Champions Ertl. A producer and distributor of high quality collectibles and toys sold worldwide, RC2 is looking at Dyersville for a more efficient logistics facility. If Dyersville gets the project, it is anticipated that approximately $3 million would be invested to expand an existing building and upgrade equipment and technology. The project would create and retain 184 jobs at an average wage of $18 per hour.

At its meeting, the IDED Board approved investments from remaining CEBA funds in Cedar Falls and Peosta.

• The Mudd Group, a national supplier of advertising and marketing services to auto dealers, is proposing to build a state-of-the-art television and film studio in Cedar Falls, creating 25 jobs at an average wage of $13.23 per hour. The new Muddville Studios will be housed in a 15,000 sq. ft. building to be technologically integrated into The Mudd Group Campus. The project was awarded $75,000 in CEBA funds.

· New Hampshire-headquartered On Point Display is considering Peosta for a $1.9 million facility to provide point of purchase displays, fulfillment and contract packaging for food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers. A CEBA award for $150,000 was approved for the project. On Point is negotiating to lease a 244,800 sq. ft building in Peosta where it would create 48 jobs at an average wage of $16.41 per hour.

Acting on requests from Waterloo and West Des Moines, the IDED Board approved two major projects for tax benefits from the New Capital Investment Program (NCIP).

• The IDED Board approved the application of Ferguson Enterprises, the nation’s largest plumbing supply distributor. Ferguson plans to build a distribution center to serve the Midwest and Canada on a 134-acre site in northeast Waterloo.
• Also approved for NCIP tax incentives by the IDED Board was the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage construction project announced last year in West Des Moines. NCIP provides tax credits, tax refunds and tax exemptions for large investments in Iowa.

In other activity, the IDED Board approved new Enterprise Zones for development incentives in Decatur, Kossuth, Mitchell, Shelby and Union counties.

The IDED also has recently taken action on the following projects:

• First Avenue Coffees & Teas, Inc., a coffee house to be located in Cedar Rapids, was approved for a grant in the amount of $3,000 from the Targeted Small Business (TSB) Program.  Funds are to be used to assist with start-up expenses. 
• Benchmade Knives & Ammo of Garwin was approved for a loan in the amount of $15,000 from TSB.  Funds are to be used for remodeling, furniture and fixtures, and supplies. Benchmade Knives & Ammo makes specialty knives and ammunition.
• Southern Cross Cycles, Inc. in Waucoma was approved for a loan in the amount of $10,000 from the Self Employment Loan Program (SELP).  Funds are to be used for building remodeling, a new furnace, installation of office equipment and utilities deposits.  Southern Cross Cycles, Inc. will provide sales and service of motorcycles and all terrain vehicles.
• Chore Corps of Cedar Rapids was approved for a loan in the amount of $10,000 from SELP. Chore Corps was established in 2002 and provides a variety of “chore” services to homeowners including lawn care, window washing, house cleaning, etc.
• S & C Graham Foto & Design of Cedar Falls was approved for a loan in the amount of $10,000 from SELP.  S & C Graham Foto & Design offers full service commercial photography and graphic design services.

Business Development News

Governor Tom Vilsack, First Lady Christie Vilsack, IDED Director Mike Blouin, and IDED Board of Directors member Marcia Rogers led a delegation of 28 people from Iowa to New Zealand in March to discuss trade and investment opportunities in biotechnology. The Iowa delegation included representatives of Iowa's research universities, trade associations, animal and plant science companies and venture capital providers. Emphasis was placed on strategic collaborations that would facilitate development of technologies and make them commercially viable to the economic advantage of both parties. According to New Zealand Trade & Enterprise 170 persons attended various meetings with the Iowans.  The delegation also met with Prime Minister Helen Clark and three cabinet ministers. A verbal invitation to visit Iowa in early June was offered to New Zealanders.

IDED Staff have completed a two-week investment trip to Europe, holding many successful meetings with European businesses. At least 4 companies will visit Iowa in the near future to investigate doing business here and new relationships have been advanced. 

IDED staff met with 10 different insurance/financial services and manufacturing companies in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, from March 15-18, developing several potential new projects and improving prospects for the future. 

IDED staff also recently conducted a business prospecting trip to Arizona. Six of the 12 businesses visited currently have operations in Iowa. The trip yielded several potential projects, from new and existing businesses, that may be implemented within the next 24 months.

IDED attended the American Wind Energy Association’s Global Wind power 2004 Conference and Exhibition in Chicago recently. Many international and domestic vendors were in attendance and presenting products. Four firms expressed interest in investigating locating their North American manufacturing facilities in Iowa.

The IDED recently awarded funds to two companies during March from the Export Trade Assistance Program (ETAP), which provides financial assistance for participating in international trade shows or trade missions. Approved for funds during March were HELC Corp., Des Moines for Canada and Vector Corp., Marion for the United Kingdom.

The Materials Testing Service program, a partnership between Recycle Iowa (IDED) and the University of Northern Iowa, has recently completed engineered testing services for the following Iowa businesses developing new recycled content products: Damon Enterprises (Dewar), Standard Golf (Cedar Falls), Waterloo Industries (Waterloo), Engineered Rubber Products (West Liberty), and General Environmental (Des Moines).  The program recently linked Standard Golf with another client, Plastic Recycling (Iowa Falls) that resulted in a successful joint venture for the production of recycled content golf products. 

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center and IDED will be offering workshops to assist businesses Risk Management Plans (RMP) renewal.  This plan is required for businesses with specific chemicals, including anhydrous ammonia.  For more information, please contact Wendy Walker at (800) 351-4668 or the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at (800) 422-3109.

RMP workshops

Ottumwa, May 12, 2004

Iowa City, May 13, 2004

Waterloo, May 19, 2004

Ames, May 20, 2004

IDED project managers attended the first-ever World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing to be held recently in Orlando, FL. The managers also made prospecting calls on businesses in the area. Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), American Chemical Society (SCS) and the National Agriculture Biotechnology Council (NABC) hosted the event.

The Human Resource Recruitment Consortium (HRRC) hosted a booth at the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Career Fair at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel. The goal of MANRRS is to promote the agricultural sciences and related fields to ethnic minorities.

Community Development News

The Main Street Iowa program announced its newest Main Street community, Mason City on March 19.   

The final in a series of six small business development workshops was held on March 23rd in Pella. The focus was on Succession Planning for existing businesses. A total of 353 people were in attendance for some or all of the series.    

The 17th Annual Main Street Awards was held on April 2, 2004 at the Temple for the Performing Arts in Des Moines. Over 375 people from across Iowa attended the event. The event celebrated the best of the best in downtown development efforts over the past year.  

The National Trust for Historic Preservation Midwest Regional office held its spring meetings in Iowa. The meetings were held in Cedar Falls with a tour to Waterloo as well. IDED Staff helped plan the meetings which were attended by 21 people representing eight states.

The IDED Recently made 8 additional conditional awards from the CDBG water/sewer fund and community facilities & services fund in the amount of $2.9 million. For more information, contact Hank Manning at 515.242.4836.

The Housing Fund Awards announced March 3, 2004 remain conditionally funded since the IDED has not yet received a letter of commitment from federal department of Housing and Urban Development. A Recipient Workshop was held for these "conditionally" funded recipients on March 24 and 25, 2004. The effective date and contracting will follow HUD's conveyance of the money to the IDED. For more information, contact Terry Vestal at 515.242.4850.

Iowa was represented at the Locations Trade Show in Santa Monica, California, April 16 - 18. The show provides an opportunity to talk to location managers about filming in Iowa. For more information, contact Tom Wheeler at 515.242.4726.

POW WOW Marketplace was held in Los Angeles from April 24 - 28. This is a marketplace for international tour operators. All leads gathered at the show will be shared with the tourism industry for follow up. For more information, contact Mark Eckman at 515-242-4770.

Iowa Tourism Unity Day will be held April 30 at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in West Des Moines. Tourism leaders will be recognized and a keynote message about customer service will be provided by Doug Lipp. The 2005 cooperative advertising options will be announced. For more information, contact Lonie Mezera at 515-242-4727.

The Iowa Tourism Office is teaming up with the Iowa State Fair to celebrate National Tourism Week, May 8 - 16. During this week, travelers stopping at any of the 21 Iowa welcome centers will can register to win tickets to the Iowa State Fair. For more information, contact Nancy Landess at 515.242.4702.

The East Central Intergovernmental Association, on behalf of Clinton Area Development Corp., received a Community development Fund award for $25,000 for a Clinton Area Bio-Tech/Advanced Manufacturing Project. For more information, contact Cali Beals at 515.242.4723.

Governor Vilsack recently presented Governor's Youth Leadership, Iowa Community Betterment, and Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame awards to 19 Iowa individuals, communities, and organizations during a special volunteer recognition ceremony held in the State Historical Building.

This year, the Governor's Volunteer Awards program has been expanded to provide Iowa’s nonprofit organizations with an opportunity to recognize their volunteers and, to allow organizations to honor their long-time volunteers with a Length of Service Award. Nomination deadline is May 7, 2004.  IDED staff and board members may request nomination materials from Susan Drake, 515.242.4759, susan.drake@ided.state.ia.us.

Calendar of Events

View the IDED Calendar of Events listings here:

http://asp.iowasmartidea.com/idedsrchcal.asp?sm=1&sum=1&begd=1&begm=1&begy=2004&allided=1

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