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In a recent Courier article Steve Dust, CEO of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber and chairman of the Iowa Chamber Alliance commented on a recent study performed by Deloitte Consulting LLP.
The study was commissioned by ICA in hopes to provide the Legislature and policy makers current information about where Iowa lines up competitively with the study’s benchmark states. Read the entire Courier article by Jim Offner here.
The study rates Iowa’s competitiveness with its neighbors and other highly competitive states in economic development programs
Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Chamber Alliance, a non-partisan coalition representing the 16 largest chambers of commerce and economic development organizations throughout the state, released today a new study examining Iowa’s relative competiveness in its economic development efforts. Deloitte Consulting LLP was commissioned to examine the competitiveness of Iowa’s state-level economic development incentives.
“This study confirms Iowa’s approach to economic development incentives is on the right track, but it also demonstrates that Iowa does not resource its economic development incentives at a competitive level,” said John Stineman, Executive Director of the Iowa Chamber Alliance.
The Deloitte study found that Iowa lags only behind Texas in the “usability” of its economic development incentives – an important factor in how a state measures up in competing for economic development investments. Texas is widely considered one of the most aggressive states in economic development in terms of its incentive funding, its programs and its business-friendly tax and regulatory climate.
However, on the financial value side of economic development – the ability to impact projects through financial incentives – Iowa lags significantly behind its neighbors as well as other leading economic development states.
“It is clear Iowa punches above its weight class in economic development. The approach and programs we have are working and the proof is in the projects. The question is, how many projects are we missing out on because we simply do not resource economic development efforts at a competitive level?” said Stineman.
The study examined Iowa’s economic development programs and funding compared to five other states: Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, South Carolina and Texas. South Carolina and Texas are consistently ranked as highly competitive states for economic development.
Other key findings of the study include:
“Iowa has a solid base of state-level economic development incentives tools upon which to build. However, to become more competitive, Iowa may wish to increase the funding level and flexibility of some of the State’s key incentive programs” states Darin Buelow, a Principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP.
“The opportunity is there for Iowa. We are well positioned to compete – if we resource our economic development efforts at the right level. We also need to review our programs to ensure we have usable and valuable incentives to help Iowa continue its economic growth in the future,” said Stineman.
For more information about the Iowa Chamber Alliance’s positions and legislative agenda, please visit www.iowachamberalliance.com. Copies of the study will be made available upon email request to john@iowachamberalliance.com.
About the Iowa Chamber Alliance
The Iowa Chamber Alliance’s mission is to put forth and enact an agenda to grow the state’s economy through support of proactive programs that stimulate economic growth opportunities for the entire state and its residents. The Alliance members include chambers and economic development organizations in: Ames, Burlington/West Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Marshalltown, Mason City, Muscatine, the Quad Cities, Sioux City and Waterloo/Cedar Falls.
Most Iowans support creating a path to citizenship for immigrants in the U.S. illegally so long as the nation’s borders are first controlled, a new Des Moines Register Iowa Poll shows. The Iowa Poll, was conducted Feb. 3-6 for The Des Moines Register by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines. Read the entire article written by Jens Manuel Krogstad of the Des Moines Register here.
By John Stineman, Executive Director, Iowa Chamber Alliance
The 2013 legislative session presents many opportunities for business — property tax reform, economic development incentives, transportation infrastructure to name just a few issues that perennially top the agenda of Iowa’s businesses and economic development community. Standing atop these important issues is education reform.
Education?
Yes, business considers education reform to be at least as important as the other core issues within our policy agendas.
The fact of the matter is that Iowa’s once vaunted public education system is no longer as competitive as it was just half a generation ago.
It’s not so much that Iowa has gone backward as much as it is that the rest of the country has improved at a far greater pace. We used to be at or near the top and now dwell in the lower end of the middle of the pack.
From a strictly business perspective, we must address education reform because of Iowa’s growing skills gap. Today in Iowa about 18% of available jobs are considered to be “low skill,” but about 38% of the available Iowa workforce is classified as “low skill.” Middle skill job openings represent half of all open positions in Iowa, but only one-third of available workers are considered to be middle skill.
The skills gap is real, it is growing, and, unfortunately, our education system today is not geared to address it.
Beyond the immediate workforce needs, consider our education outcomes today. 36% of the “Class of 2012” that went on to higher or vocational education after high school required some sort of remedial education after high school. This is stark evidence we are not systematically equipping our kids with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed after high school.
Of course, it’s not just about the skills gap or what kind of access employers need to qualified workers.
It’s about Iowa’s kids. It’s about our kids and grandkids.
We’ve all chosen to live in Iowa, to raise our families here. Making sure our kids have access to a quality education that will help prepare our kids to compete in a global economy and pursue their dreams is among our most important duties.
That’s why education reform is so important.
The reforms proposed by the Governor and now being vetted by the Iowa House of Representatives are a solid start on turning the tide for Iowa’s schools. The reforms bring with them substantive changes that will fuel teacher leadership from mentor teachers and teacher leaders to drive innovation and energy into subject matter teachers.
The proposal elevates the profession of teaching – increasing first year pay and providing a longer student teaching period so new teachers can hit the ground running when given their own classroom.
The reform proposal expands online learning opportunities by bringing students from across Iowa together to learn online from Iowa teachers in districts that offer subjects not offered in other districts.
Teacher accountability is also important. A statistic often cited at the Capitol is that 98% of Iowa teachers receive favorable reviews. While there are many, many quality teachers across Iowa, it is simply not realistic to believe that only two in every 100 are in need of improvement. Evaluations must include student performance as well as peer reviews and other measures.
The Iowa Chamber Alliance is supportive of the reforms proposed and interested in other ideas that will help improve Iowa’s schools as well. We are hopeful partisan differences and political arguments can be set aside so that meaningful reform can be achieved.
There is simply too much at stake for us not to succeed in improving our schools. It truly is the most important thing we can do this session.
For more information, please contact Iowa Chamber Alliance Executive Director, John Stineman, at (515) 226-1492 or john@iowachamberalliance.com.
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is an active member of the Iowa Chamber Alliance. Alliance & Chamber CEO Steve Dust is the current Chair of ICA board of directors. Steve Firman, Alliance & Chamber Director of Gov’t Relations is also on its board.
Week two is now behind us, and the Legislature is settling into the hard work of the session. Budget work has begun in earnest and major policy proposals, like the Governor’s education reform package, have begun to be deliberated in committee.
New legislators are beginning to find their routines and the Capitol is abuzz morning, noon and afternoon with the many groups and associations coming to Des Moines to educate policymakers on their issues and jockey for support.
Yes, it is late January in Des Moines.
So far the 85th Iowa General Assembly has been relatively smooth. But now they are starting to dig into the big issues and the new Assembly will be tested quickly on whether or not it will be different than the past two years where bipartisan agreement was hard to come by. Only time will tell.
There are, of course, a lot of issues for legislators to come together and support.
Education reform is at the top of the Governor’s list and has the attention of legislators from both chambers and both parties. Iowa’s schools have not kept up with the rest of the country. Our time on top has passed, and now we dwell in the middle of the pack. Real reform is critical, and the proposals coming out of the reform task force are a very positive step forward to help our children be prepared for the future and to help ensure Iowa’s workforce is strong and relevant.
Property taxes are again a major topic – as they should be with the past two sessions seeing much discussion, but no agreement on reforming Iowa’s uncompetitive commercial/industrial property tax system. The Governor has a new proposal on the table that will guarantee local governments will not lose revenue as a result of rolling back business property taxes. 2013 may well be the year to address this important issue that has been a hindrance to Iowa businesses and economic growth for decades.
Economic development issues are always lively under the Rotunda. Last year there was a fight over tax increment financing (TIF). This year, tax credits are under scrutiny as a response to some of the larger tax credits awards in Iowa history being involved in securing two of the biggest capital investments in Iowa history. Iowa’s economic development activity is on a major upswing, creating thousands of jobs. The Legislature needs to restore tax credits to their previous level of $185 million, rather than being critical of them. Direct incentives warrant proper funding as well.
There are several opportunities for the Legislature and the Governor to come together to help advance Iowa’s economy. The Iowa Chamber Alliance will be in the mix, advocating for economic growth and sound public policy. Check www.iowachamberalliance.com for updates.
For questions, please contact Iowa Chamber Alliance Executive Director, John Stineman, at john@iowachamberalliance.com
“Our Opportunity. Our Iowa.” Govenor Branstad’s Condition of the State Tour/ Cedar Valley Stop
01.24.13, 8:15 am, Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
All Alliance & Chamber investor/members are encouraged to demonstrate the strength and vitality of the Cedar Valley business community and hear about the issues that affect you and your business by attending this special event, Thursday, January 24th. The public is invited to attend.
Highlights:
Registration is appreciated. Click here.
Read the Govenors 2013 Condition of the State Address
WATERLOO/CEDAR FALLS, IOWA (Jan., 2013) – The Board of Directors of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber recently adopted the 2013 Cedar Valley Agenda for Economic Progress. Assembled by its Government Relations Committee, local economic development partners, and its staff team of the Alliance & Chamber, the Agenda, assembled annually, reflects the priority issues requiring action by the Iowa Legislature to advance the business and civic interests of the Cedar Valley economic area.
The five areas of focus are: (1) economic development programs and incentives, (2) talent and workforce development and recruitment, (3) improving Iowa’s tax climate, (4) education transformation, and (5) critical physical infrastructure.
“Our Iowa agenda is focused on business climate, competitiveness, and critical workforce issues, said Steve Firman, Director of Government Relations of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber. “It’s also about making Iowa and the Cedar Valley more competitive and attractive for starting and expanding businesses of all sizes, and building a career,” Firman concludes.
The agenda was formally announced during a December 5th Pre-session Legislative Reception event for the Cedar Valley delegation of the Iowa legislature. The annual reception is traditionally co-sponsored by the Alliance & Chamber, Cedar Valley Manufacturers Associations, and REC of Butler-Bremer-Buchanan-Grundy Counties- each of which unveil their respective agendas for the session – and hosted by the Isle Casino Hotel – Waterloo. The legislators attending the event this year included: Sen. Bill Dix and Sen. Bill Dotzler, Rep. Pat Grassley, Rep. Sandy Salmon, Rep. Walt Rogers, and Rep. Bob Kressig.
The Government Relations Committee is chaired by Mike McCrary of Lincoln Savings Bank. The Legislative Agenda can be accessed at the Alliance & Chamber Government Relations web page Iowa Prosperity Project-Cedar Valley.
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is a regional economic and community development organization focused on increasing economic vitality and improving the quality of life in the Cedar Valley economic region. Cedar Valley area business and community leaders created the Alliance to align economic development efforts and increase the region’s competitiveness in the global economy. Combined, the organization represents over 900 businesses with 50,000 employees.
Great profile of IOWA biz climate in Delta Sky mag. Penned by Cedar Valley’s Courier writer Jim Offner. Read it here.
“The 2013 legislative session can do a great deal to promote economic growth, but the promise it holds can only be fulfilled if the policy makers work toward a shared goal of increasing economic growth, creating more well-paying jobs,” stated GCVAC CEO, Steve Dust in a recent Courier article. Dust, along with business leaders from across the state are optimistic about the amount of attention tax issues that effect business growth are getting from both sides of the isle. Read the entire artcle by ROD BOSHART, here.
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