Author Archives: Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber

Wubbena Business & Professional Women Woman of the Year

The Alliance & Chamber congratulates Bette Wubbena for being named the Cedar Valley Woman of the Year by the Cedar Falls chapter of Business & Professional Women.

This year’s Cedar Valley Woman of the Year was awarded to Bette Wubenna at the 11th Annual Salute To Women event held on Tuesday, October 18th at the Park Place Event Center and hosted by The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Bette grew up in Allison, Iowa and graduated from Allison-Bristow High School. She has been employed with the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber for over 26 years and currently serves as the Events Director. Bette has also been involved with numerous volunteer activities including the My Waterloo Days Parade Committee, the Waterloo School Foundation Trick or Trot Committee, the Waterloo Schools Foundation Breakfast Committee, the Family YWCO Capital Campaign Steering Committee, the Allen Foundation Development Committee, the Unity Point/Allen Capital Campaign Steering Committee and the American Heart Association Go Red Luncheon Committee. Bette is also a member of the Waterloo Downtown Rotary Club.

Each year, nominations from all over the Cedar Valley are submitted to the BPW of Cedar Falls women’s club to be voted on. Past winners of the prestigious Cedar Valley Woman of the Year award include Jean Trainor (2006), Heather Predergast (2007), Kathy Lee (2008), Maureen Collins-Williams (2009), Doris Kelley (2010), Jan Anderson (2011), Velda Philips (2012), Susan Whitson (2013), Kim Manning (2014), and Joyce Coil (2015). The BPW of Cedar Falls holds the annual Salute to Women event to honor professional women in the Cedar Valley as well as to raise scholarship funds for non-traditional students.

Hawkeye to Host Advanced Manufacturing Information Session on December 5

CEDAR FALLS–Hawkeye Community College will host an information session on short-term training in CNC Machining, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding on Monday, December 5, at 11:30 a.m., at the Cedar Falls Center, 5330 Nordic Drive, Cedar Falls. The session will include information about upcoming training opportunities, a tour of training areas, and the opportunity to visit with instructors.

The next CNC Machining training runs February 2-June 8, 2017, and meets Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00-10:00 p.m. CNC operators work in a variety of manufacturing environments and are trained to program, set up, and operate a CNC machine, inspect parts, perform production runs, and set up jobs. CNC machine operators are in high demand in the Cedar Valley. In four months, individuals completing the non-credit certificate may earn $28,000-$37,000 per year, not including overtime.

The next Production Welding training runs February 6-April 11, 2017, and meets Monday-Thursday, 5:00-9:00 p.m. The next Construction Welding training runs January 17-February 20, 2017, and meets Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Welding continues to be the principle means of fabricating and repairing metal products. Iowa Workforce Development forecasts more than 270 job openings each year for welders through 2022. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are some of the top occupations in Iowa with the most job openings. Starting wages average $28,500-$36,000 per year and many in this field work overtime.

Industrial Maintenance runs January 18-August 2, 2017, with classes held Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Industrial Maintenance program prepares students for high demand entry-level employment. Industrial maintenance workers maintain, monitor, troubleshoot, and repair equipment used in the production of goods. Individuals completing the non-credit certificate may earn $31,500-$43,000 per year, not including overtime.

For more information, call 319-296-4290 or visit www.hawkeyecollege.edu/go/advanced-manufacturing.

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Cedar Valley Honored at Iowa Tourism Conference

The following was submitted by our Affiliate agencies, the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cedar Falls Tourism. These organizations in collaboration as Cedar Valley Tourism, and with the Alliance & Chamber to promote and maintain high-quality amenities that benefit visitors and residents alike.

Representatives from the Grout Museum District and Cedar Falls Community Main Street were honored at the Iowa Tourism Conference, held in Davenport.

Downtown Cedar Falls was honored as the state’s Outstanding Retail Experience and the Grout Museum’s Iowa Veterans Museum was honored as Iowa’s Outstanding Attraction and for Outstanding Marketing Collaboration.

Distinct features leading to the Main Street award include friendly store owners serving up memorable experiences from 30+ unique shops and boutiques and 20+ bars, cafes and restaurants. The charm of the area, endless events and creative strategies employed the Community Main Street to position the district as a great get away destination were also noted.

The Grout Museum District’s 365 & Counting: Iowans in the Vietnam War exhibit enabled the Grout to capture the Attraction of the Year Award for the second time in five years. The Outstanding Marketing Collaboration was awarded for the partnership that was developed between the Grout and the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier for their Vietnam Veteran’s Profile features. The Grout provided content to reporters from the Voices of Iowa interview collection and the Courier featured 50 area Vietnam veterans, one each day, during the fall of 2015, within the duration of the 365 & Counting: Iowans in the Vietnam War exhibit. The features helped shine a light on the stories of the men and women who proudly served our county during one of the most controversial wars in history and also helped spread awareness about a powerful exhibit that educated the public and helped heal those who lived through it 50 years ago.

Tourism is an $8 billion industry in Iowa, employing 67,400 people statewide and generating more than $466.7 million in state taxes. In Black Hawk County alone, visitors spent $351.7 million dollars.

cvtourism

Keith Rahe, Travel Federation of Iowa; Carol Lilly, and Jessica Palmer, Cedar Falls Main Street; Kim Manning, Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau; Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office.

Cedar Valley receives Healthy Hometown Founder award

Mayor Jon Crews and Sue Beach receive award on behalf of Cedar Valley Blue Zones. Pictured with Gov. Terry Branstad and Ltn. Gov. Kim Reynolds

Healthiest State Initiative recognize communities’ efforts to improve health and well-being

DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 2, 2016) — The cities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo were presented a Healthy Hometown^SM POWERED BY Wellmark award at the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Bringing it Home conference on Nov.1, 2016. The award recognizes the Cedar Valley for their dedication and accomplishments toward meaningful health improvement initiatives in their community.

“The Healthy Hometown Founder award celebrates the achievements made in the Cedar Valley,” said Jami Haberl, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative executive director. “Cedar Falls and Waterloo have been a model for other Iowa communities and is an encouraging example of what can be done when the citizens of a community join together to truly transform their environment.”

Some noteworthy achievements in Cedar Falls include:

Integrating brain breaks in the schools as well as removing pop machines and unhealthy food fundraisers.
Building a new pedestrian bridge that connected residential areas with retailers, schools and workplaces.
Achieving a 20 percent increase in volunteering among employees at John Deere PEC.
Passing land protection policies that pave the way for healthy eating via farmers’ markets and community gardens.

Some noteworthy accomplishments in Waterloo include:

Logging 3,428 miles by Orange Elementary students during their first year of promoting physical activity through classroom movement and recess.
Losing a combined 1,661 pounds in one year resulting in 56 employees moving from pre-diabetic to normal range at Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing.
Constructing a multi-million dollar Highway 63 corridor project’s first phase featuring an impressive two-mile stretch with wide sidewalks, landscaping trees, brick pavers, lighting and benches.
Creating 10 gardens thought out the city, four of which are school gardens.

Healthy Hometown program available for all Iowa communities

The Healthy Hometown program is available to all Iowa communities ready to take steps to make the healthy choice the easy choice and improve the overall well-being of their communities.

“One of the best parts of the Healthy Hometown program is the ability for Iowa communities to make improvements that are important to them,” said Laura Jackson, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative board president. “The program offers various levels of support — including assistance from experts if they choose — and guides them to existing resources so they can make their hometown an even better place to live.”

There are three ways communities or organizations can get started. The first is an online self-assessment tool for communities to review where they are at today and how they can connect with existing resources to make enhancements. In 2017, two additional options will be available to help communities put a plan in place for either a specific project or a complete community transformation.

More information about the Healthy Hometown program, including the assessment and resources, is available at: www.iowahealthieststate.com.

Hawkeye Community College to Host Open House Exploring Apprenticeships on November 15

The following information was submitted by an Alliance & Chamber investor. The Exploring Apprenticeships Open House is for businesses interested in exploring apprenticeship programs.

WATERLOO–Hawkeye Community College will host an open house exploring apprenticeship opportunities Tuesday, November 15, 2016, from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in Buchanan Hall 121 on Hawkeye’s Main Campus, 1501 East Orange Road, Waterloo.

Historically, apprenticeship programs began in construction and skilled trades, but now there are apprenticeships in more than 1,000 occupations, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and transportation. The open house will explore successful apprenticeship programs and provide information about creating new apprenticeships, including funding available. Studies show apprenticeships provide good return on investment for workers and employers. Apprentices earn more upon program completion and 90 percent of completers enter and sustain employment.

Featured presenters include Josh Billings, Level 4 HVAC apprentice employed by Independence Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling: John Johnson, apprenticeship program workforce development specialist, IowaWORKS Cedar Valley; Rachel Faust, apprentice sponsor, RainSOFT of Northeast Iowa; Rhonda Hall, business services representative, IowaWORKS Cedar Valley; and Jerry Orr, Hawkeye’s trade and industry coordinator.

There is no cost to attend and a free lunch is provided. RSVP at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/go/explore-apprenticeships or by calling 319-296-4223. The open house is held in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week.

Election Day is nearly here!

You can have an impact for your business, and all of our business climate. Your Alliance & Chamber want you to have the best resources available to put in the hands of your employees and colleagues about the candidates engaged in these races.

We work closely with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) on issues associated with business climate and economic development. Below, you’ll find links to resources via its IA Votes toolkit, to use with your teams now.

Nationally, employees say that they look to you, their employer, for information about issues that impact their jobs and workplace. They are ready to listen to you.

We all know that people really pay attention to the campaigns at the end – the last couple of weeks before Election Day. That’s right now!

Get the right tools to your employees so they can make up their minds with good information at hand, and then exercise their important American franchise and vote.

Below, you’ll find links to good information for you and your teams. At the bottom, a drafted email is included that can be used to introduce the tools to your groups.

The Alliance & Chamber Government Relations Team

Mike McCrary

Chair – Government Relations Committee

Steve Firman

Director – Government Relations

In two weeks, Iowans across the state will vote and decide which candidates will go to Washington, D.C. and Des Moines. The Iowa Prosperity Project (iavotes.com) provides tools and resources to help employee-voters become educated about the candidates in the upcoming election.

You can share the Find Your Candidates tool with your audience to help them learn more about the candidates in this year’s election.

Below is a drafted message to share with your audience. Don’t forget to like iavotes.com on Facebook and follow iavotes.com on Twitter for live election updates.

This is a unique election year, and enthusiasm about casting a ballot is lower than normal. It’s important to remind employees that even if they don’t want to vote for president, they should still participate and vote in down-ticket races. Those offices often have the most affect on our day-to-day lives.

Share the following materials in your workplaces: Voting Poster 1, Voting Poster 2.

For more information or additional resources, contact Nicole Crain at ncrain@iowaabi.org.

***Sample Message about Candidates***

Email Subject Line: Do you know who you’re voting for?

Dear [Employee, associate, member]:

This election year, Iowans will elect four members of Congress, one U.S. Senator, 25 state senators, 100 representatives and many more elected officials. Down ballot races are important. Do you know who you are voting for on Nov. 8?

Use the Find Your Candidates tool to learn more about the candidates on your ballot. Becoming an informed voter is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Visit the Find Your candidates tool on iavotes.com.

2. Enter your address and click “Find Your Candidates”.

3. Become familiar with your candidates and learn more about where they stand on the issues by visiting the iavotes.com state voting records.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Iowa Businesses and Residents

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Iowa Businesses and Residents Affected by the Severe Weather and Flooding

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Iowa businesses and residents affected by the severe weather and flooding that occurred Sept. 21 – Oct. 3, 2016, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Terry E. Branstad on Oct. 6, 2016.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy and Hardin counties.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing Iowa with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for businesses and residents affected by the disaster,” said Contreras-Sweet. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Iowa District Director Jayne Armstrong. “Beginning at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Armstrong continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated below. No appointment is necessary.

BUTLER COUNTY

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

North Butler Elementary School – Media Center

210 W South St.

Greene, IA 50636

Opens 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12

Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Center closes 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.563 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 12, 2016. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 11, 2017.

Cedar Valley’s Reade to Co-Chair Leadership Iowa Program

Dr. Melissa Reade, Leader Valley Program Director will co-chair the 2016-2017 Leadership Iowa program.

Professionals from the Cedar Valley are taking their leadership skills to the next level through the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s (ABI) Foundation’s Leadership Iowa program. For the last 34 years, ABI and the ABI Foundation have identified many of Iowa’s best leaders and helped to equip them with knowledge and tools to make a difference across the State.

Dr. Melissa Reade, Leader Valley Program Director with the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, and a 2015-2016 graduate of Leadership Iowa, will serve a one-year term as the Leadership Iowa Program Co-chair. Her role will be to assist in setting the curriculum, lead planning and execution of the monthly class sessions through co-facilitation of the topic, speakers, and activities. Program co-chairs provide the link within a session and between sessions, so participants see the connectivity from month to month. She will also serve as a member of the Leadership Iowa Board of Governors.

“Melissa was selected based on her willingness and ability to coach, mentor and assist the next class of Iowa leaders. Her strengths and leadership style and her experience in facilitation and

coordination with diverse groups of learners will be an asset to this year’s class, “ says Kay Neumann-Thomas, Vice President, Programs, with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation, “She has a strong desire to invest in and develop others.”

Each year, 40 talented individuals are selected from a large applicant pool and are selected based on their individual merits, but also for the desire to achieve the best balance of candidates representing varied industries and different geographical areas. Four leaders were selected from Cedar Valley companies and organizations for the 2016-2017 Leadership Iowa class. Participating Cedar Valley leaders include: Jim Atty of Waverly Health Center; Jeremy Kauten of The VGM Group; Justin Marchant of Upper Iowa University; and Sharina Sallis of CUNA Mutual.

Leadership Iowa participants will travel around the state once a month to learn from experts about government; agriculture and renewable energy; education; healthcare; advanced manufacturing and transportation. Reade stated, “It is a great opportunity to learn about and celebrate all of the impactful things taking place across the state in various industries. Leadership Iowa is truly a game-changing and eye-opening opportunity for the state’s leaders. I’m thrilled to walk alongside the 2016-2017 Leadership Iowa class.”

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is an active member of ABI. Information about leadership development opportunities in the Cedar Valley can be found at www.cedarvalleyalliance.com or by calling Steve Dust, CEO at (319) 232-1156.

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Michael Broshar Receives AIA Iowa Medal of Honor

The following release was submitted by an Alliance & Chamber investor business.

Michael Broshar, FAIA and managing partner at INVISION Architecture, received the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by AIA Iowa.

The American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (AIA Iowa) recognized Michael Broshar, FAIA with the 2016 Medal of Honor Award during their Award Celebration on Thursday, September 22. Broshar is the managing partner at INVISION Architecture. The award, which celebrates outstanding leadership and distinguished service to the profession, is the highest award an AIA Iowa member can receive.

Although the award was first given in 1991, Broshar joins only 14 fellow architects who have been given this honor. Making it even more significant for Broshar, he is the first second-generation recipient to receive the award. In 1992, his father, Robert Broshar, FAIA, received the second Medal of Honor Award given by the state chapter.

Michael Broshar’s 36-year career has included notable contributions to the architecture profession, exemplified by award-winning work and extensive service to organizations including the AIA, DPRCG, NAAB and the Iowa Architectural Foundation. Beginning in 1988, he has held numerous positions with AIA since 1988, first starting at the state level before serving on the National Board of Directors from 2002 through 2007 as Central States Regional Director and Vice President. Broshar received his fellowship into AIA in 2006 and was also the National Convention Chair that year. Most recently, Broshar’s involvement in the Design Professionals Risk Control Group (DPRCG) at a national level has elevated him to the board member role. Broshar has served on several juries in his career, as well as served as a speaker and lecturer on the practice and styles of architecture.

Those nominating him for this award also applaud his leadership, ambition, vision, passion and keen sense of effective communication. At the ceremony, Brad Leeper, partner at INVISION commented on Broshar’s service to the industry, saying “Mike has given a lot of his time to AIA, a commitment that began early in his career. He has certainly helped to share the profession we all know today, and for that, we are grateful.”

Broshar has practiced at INVISION Architecture for 34 years, joining the firm where his father was partner (then called Thorson, Brom, Broshar, Snyder). The two worked together for 14 years. Broshar became a partner in 1990 and managing partner in 2015. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Rice University in Houston, Texas.

About INVISION

Since 1914, INVISION has collaborated with clients to discover needs, uncover solutions and improve the communities they serve. Today, with more than 50 staff members in two locations, INVISION continues to be a client-centered, service-oriented planning, architecture and interiors firm.

About AIA Iowa

Since 1857, the American Institute of Architects has represented the professional interests of America’s architects. AIA Iowa, headquartered in Des Moines, is a statewide affiliate of the national AIA. AIA Iowa members express their commitment to excellence in design and are proactive in the design of livable communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Iowa Businesses and Residents Affected by the Severe Weather and Flooding

Grow Cedar Valley