IDED Quick News

The news report for customers, partners and friends of the

Iowa Department of Economic Development.

September 27, 2002

Unsubscribe

The Third Annual Venture Capital Conference will be held at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines on September 30. The conference will feature Governor Tom Vilsack and a keynote address by Donald R. Keough, former chief executive and director of The Coca Cola Company. Conference highlights include an investor panel discussion, startup company profiles, and an overview of Iowa's new Venture Capital stimulus package. The Venture Network of Iowa Forum will showcase eight entrepreneurs who will present their unique business ventures to potential investors and conference attendees. IDED and the Iowa Area Development Group helped recruit Riverside Paper Corporation of Appleton, Wisconsin, which has decided to locate a new manufacturing facility in Mount Pleasant. Plans include leasing of a 30,000 square foot facility with an initial workforce of 5, which will grow to 15 people by year-end.

2002 National Rural TeleCongress Conference will be held at the Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines, Iowa, from October 6 to October 9, 2002. While rural places in the U.S. continue to make gains in bridging the digital divide, many are still unserved or underserved by high speed telecommunications. Some areas that have made gains in achieving access to high speed continue to struggle with populations who are not taking full advantage of the power of the world wide web. These and other issues will be discussed at the conference. For more information: Website: <http://www.ruraltelecon.org/Default.htm> or contact Sue Lambertz at 515.242.4922 or Email sue.lambertz@ided.state.ia.us

The Iowa Tourism Conference will be held in Sioux City on October 21-23. Some of the highlights of the conference will include a presentation by Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul author Steve Zikman, travel trend information from Peter Yesawich of Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown, a presentation of the AAA Four Diamond Awards and a special evening focusing on Lewis and Clark in a joint event with the Nebraska Tourism Conference attendees. For more information, contact Nancy Landess at 515.242.4702.

Hot Flush, a company in New Hampton, which is planning a $1 million expansion, will receive an $85,500 investment from IDED's federally funded Economic Development Set-Aside (EDSA) program. The company makes cleaning equipment for automotive transmissions and will create 30 jobs at an average wage of $10.70 per hour.

Roquette America has a plan for development in Keokuk that begins with a $50 million cogeneration project that will produce electricity and steam for the plant and other customers. The company will follow with a $44 million investment to expand an existing processing facility by 9,000 sq. ft.; build a 22,000-sq. ft. facility to produce specialty products; and expand raw material processing capabilities. Roquette is receiving assistance from IDED infrastructure funds and tax breaks from the New Jobs and Income Program.

Innovative Lighting, Inc. plans a $1 million expansion in the Story county community of Roland that will more than double the workforce. IDED approved a $100,000 investment in the expansion from the Economic Development Set-Aside program. The expansion will create 35 jobs at an average wage of $11.57 per hour.

Half-day seminars on the Iowa Enterprise Zone Program continue to be conducted across Iowa. Legislative changes have made new counties and cities eligible and create new opportunities to encourage business and housing investments in Enterprise Zones. The purpose of these seminars is to assist IDED's partners at the county and community levels in using the program. For more information contact Amy Johnson at 515.242.4735 or Email enterprisezone@ided.state.ia.us

IDED is holding a series of regional roundtables with developers in partnership with the Professional Developers of Iowa, to present proposals for improving the Department's financial assistance programs and gather input from users. For more information contact Melisa at 515.243.2000 or email mmoore@sppg.com

A growing animal health company in Orange City will receive a $50,000 investment from Iowa's Community Economic Betterment Account to expand and create 20 jobs. Revival Animal Health is moving into a new 30,000 sq. ft. building in the Industrial Park and purchasing machinery and equipment as part of a $1.8 million expansion. The Iowa Department of Economic Development board approved the investment (60% loan, 40% forgivable loan) in the company, which is part of the growing life sciences cluster of companies in Sioux County and northwest Iowa.

The HRRC participated in several national conferences and career fairs. A staff person and representatives from Rockwell Collins and Principal Financial Group promoted Iowa's career and lifestyle opportunities at the National Black MBA Association Conference and Career Fair on September 19-20 in Nashville. The HRRC also participated in career fairs at Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa during the week of September 23rd to encourage students to consider Iowa internship and employment opportunities.

IDED sponsored the first ever International Business Center at this year's Farm Progress Show in Alleman, Iowa, September 24-26. The International Business Center provided a comfortable site for all international guests to meet with Iowa exhibitors as well as other international visitors. Nearly 300 visitors accessed the Internet, conducted private meetings, utilized interpreters and other business services, selected from a variety of gifts at the State of Iowa souvenir shop and obtained travel and tourism information and information about conducting business in Iowa. IDED's Kanan Kappelman and Wendy Walker served as interpreters.

The Export Trade Assistance Program provides financial assistance to Iowa companies participating in international trade shows or trade missions. A qualified company may receive financial assistance for each pre-approved event. The following companies were approved for funds last month: Midamar Corporation of Cedar Rapids for China; GOMACO Corp. of Ida Grove for Brazil; MicroWeld Technologies of Sioux City for the United Kingdom; Teamquest of Clear Lake for Sweden, Germany and France; Mrs. Clark's Foods of Ankeny for France; and Besser Intl. Pipe Machinery of Sioux City for Russia.

Iowa's European office exhibited at the Health ingredients-Europe 2002 Exhibition and Conference, September 17-19, in Paris, France. The show is a major opportunity for Iowa agricultural and food ingredient companies to increase sales and receive exposure for their products in the European market.

A delegation from the state of Veracruz in Mexico, led by Governor Miguel Aleman, visited Des Moines on August 28-30. CJ Niles hosted a dinner for the delegation which was attended by Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, several Iowa legislators and other guests. The visitors also enjoyed a luncheon with Governor Vilsack.

IDED organized a beef mission to Central China that visited Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai from Sept. 12-21. An educational seminar was held in Xi'an. Financial support from Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Soybean Promotion Board made this event possible.

The Shigyokuen Hotel in Kofu, Japan, is conducting an "Iowa Steak Fair" promotion from Sept. 9 - Oct. 19. The restaurant promotion features Iowa-produced beef at favorable prices. Kofu is in Yamanashi Prefecture, Iowa's Sister State. Governor Tom Vilsack was interviewed on a local radio station in Kofu to kick off the promotion. All the beef for the promotion comes from BSI in Hartley, IA. The Iowa Beef Industry Council is providing promotional assistance, with the IDED office in Japan organizing the event.

A Taste of Iowa® exhibited at the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s Niche Pork Marketing Conference on Tuesday, September 10 in Ames. The conference is directed to pork producers who are currently involved in or considering production outside of traditional markets. ATOI also participated in the Clay County Fair on September 12.

The Iowa Downtown Summit in Mason City was an enormous success. Attendance increased by more than 50% over previous conferences. Educational sessions offered during the two-day conference included such topics as marketing downtown through special events; tourism and downtown; public art and art space; ambiance-friendly streetscapes; and bringing history alive through public performances. Walking tours of downtown and a neighborhood tour of Prairie School and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture were also offered.

Downtown Challenge Grants totaling $400,000 were awarded for the revitalization of sixteen properties in ten Main Street communities. The grants were funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Communities receiving grants were: Cedar Falls Community Main Street, Central City Mainstreet, Charles City Community Revitalization, Dubuque Main Street Ltd., Main Street Elkader, Main Street Greenfield, Sac City Chamber-Main Street, State Center Main Street, Story City Main Street, Sigourney Main Street-Chamber. For more information contact Thom Guzman 515.242.4733 or email Thom.Guzman@ided.state.ia.us.

The Iowa Tourism Building had 31 exhibits featured during the 2002 Iowa State Fair. The winner of the refrigerator was Kim Perry of Des Moines. Fairgoers could also pick up Iowa Travel Guides, Calendar of Events, maps and postcards. The best booth award in the Iowa Tourism Building went to Webster County.

The City Development Board reviewed annexation proposals from Waukee, Ankeny, Slater and Coralville in September. The Board also considered making some modifications in its proposed administrative rules as a result of the comments received during the public hearing on the rules. A proposal for the discontinuance of the city of Kent is expected to be filed with the Board in the next couple of months. For more information, contact Steve McCann at 515.242.4719.

The Housing Team conducted its annual application workshop on September 4, 2002. The workshop was conducted via ICN and broadcast throughout the state to more than 100 potential applicants. A joint workshop with the Iowa Finance Authority was conducted on September 5, 2002 for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit applications. For more information, contact Terry Vestal at 515.242.4850.

For up-to-date IDED Calendar of Events listings Click Here: <http://www2.state.ia.us/ded/idedsrchcal.asp>