Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare will break ground on a construction project that will bring a larger, more state-of-the-art Emergency Department to Covenant Medical Center Thursday, June 7, 2012. Also, the Covenant Foundation will announce plans for a public capital campaign to support the $17 million project. Emergency room patient volume continues to increase and to appropriately meet the needs of the Cedar Valley, a new Emergency Department will be constructed on the west side of Covenant Medical Center, allowing better accessibility for patients and their loved ones. The project is expected to be completed in fall, 2013.
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Far Reach Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Rebranding and Launch of Our Core Values
Far Reach Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Rebranding and Launch of Our Core Values
Cedar Falls, Iowa, May 22, 2012 – As it celebrates its fifth anniversary, Cedar Falls-based Far Reach Technologies, Inc. has rebranded and changed its name to Far Reach. The rebranding reflects an expansion of the company’s team and services to include marketing and creative.
The name change and service expansion were announced in a blog post from CEO Jason Nissen on May 22. As part of the rebranding effort, Far Reach launched a new website at http://farreachinc.com. The company has also implemented Our Core Values, eleven principles that guide Far Reach in its team, client, and community interactions. Far Reach commissioned artist Mike Rohde to create original illustrations depicting these company values. The artwork is displayed throughout Far Reach’s Main Street office.
“It’s an exciting time at Far Reach,” says Nissen. “We’ve grown significantly, especially in the past year. With our rebranding and broadened focus, we’re now poised to provide even better service for our clients. We have a terrific team, and the new Core Values artwork in our office is a daily reminder of why we founded the company in the first place.”
Five partners founded Far Reach in the spring of 2007 and the company has since grown to employ 14 people full-time. In addition to its new marketing and creative services, Far Reach continues to provide web design and development, custom software development, and mobile development. Far Reach’s roster of clients includes John Deere, Lincoln Savings Bank, the Sturgis Falls Celebration, and the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance.
University of Northern Iowa Named Northeast Iowa STEM HUB
The new Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, a public-private partnership overarching goal is creating greater student achievement in STEM subjects and a stronger STEM workforce. Six STEM network hubs will work with business, education institutions, nonprofit groups and others in their region in a way that best fits local needs, interests and resources. STEM network hubs will be the driving force offering Iowa students more opportunities to learn about STEM, and better prepare them for STEM careers.
UNI is one of six chosen from a pool of 13 Iowa institutions and organizations who applied. Hubs will physically house the coordinating centers and their network hub managers and will take advantage of local assets such as partner businesses, county extension, formal and informal education organizations, nonprofits and more.
Grainger Opens Business Center
The opening of the new 41,000/sf center marks a commitment from the company, “This is a Fortune 500 company that’s perennially voted a top company to work for,” said Waterloo Mayor Tim Hurley. “To say ‘yes’ to Waterloo with all their other choices says a lot about our economic development and the area.
Parris Devine, vice president of operations and planning for Grainger, said the company’s commitment to build the facility was based on the commitment and work ethic of the area’s work force. “This group is so talented,” Devine said. “ We’ve had great luck in retaining and keeping talent here.” Grainger supplies industrial and technical products for nearly 1.8 million customers around the world. June 17, 2009.
View more information here: http://www.cvedc.com/
Legislative Update of GCVAC/ICA
Eight weeks have passed this session. The first funnel is behind us. The Legislature has begun to focus on budget bills and cleaning up their debate calendars by moving smaller bills on the floor. Often at this point in the session, some political distractions come into play. This week that was very true.
In a dispute over how much notice was given prior to floor votes on a pair of gun laws, the House Democrats decided to leave the building in protest. They were only gone for a few hours and business resumed later that day (the bills passed, but face an uncertain future in the Senate), but the spectacle did underscore some partisan tensions that have been simmering under the surface. When one party has decisive control of a chamber (as is true in the House with Republicans holding 60 seats to the Democrats’ 40), it can be a frustrating experience to the minority party. Sometimes those frustrations spill out into the public. It’s a good reminder that partisan politics are unavoidable at the Capitol.
Otherwise, the most movement in the legislature was arguably the House passing three budget bills, including the appropriation for the Iowa Economic Development Authority. There is some movement on the level of funding for economic development incentives in the House – they’re at the $10 million mark. The Senate will likely come in with $20-25 million, with about $5 million flowing through to other programs. The Alliance & Chamber strongly supports the $25 million request by the Governor to properly equip the new Iowa Economic Development Authority with the resources it needs to help Iowa compete for new development.
Tax Increment Financing continues to be discussed in the House, with the dialogue beginning to focus on time limits for TIF districts, further transparency and auditing of TIFs, and anti-piracy policies. The Senate passed a shell bill to keep its TIF legislation alive through the funnel. The House Ways & Means Subcommittee continues to meet and has indicated TIF would follow property tax reform action.
There were no material developments on the property tax front this week. The Alliance continues to press for action on the issue in the Senate so that a meaningful compromise can be achieved yet this session.
As the session rolls on, it is imperative that legislators hear from the business community. It is our responsibility to be fierce advocates for polices that promote economic growth. This year, we have to play offense (property taxes & economic development incentives) and defense (TIF – and economic development incentives!). Please make sure to take time this week to let your legislators know how critically important these issues are for Iowa’s economic progress.
For more information, please contact Steve Firman at SFirman@CedarValleyAlliance.com or 319- 239-6067.
Target Gets Incentives
Target Corp. has been granted $2.27 million more in state tax credits because it added 199 jobs and invested $50.6 million more than planned in its Cedar Valley Food Distribution Center.
Target’s perishable foods distribution center was completed in 2009. It employs more than 250 people and supplies the company’s stores in Iowa and nearby areas of the Midwest.
The distribution center, one of two Target distribution centers in Cedar Falls, accounts for 250 jobs and $126.7 million in investment.
Excerpt courtesy of The Courier
TechWorks finally appears to be moving downtown forward
Just what does $50 million buy these days?
We’re about to find out, as work on the long-talked-about TechWorks project appears finally ready to start this year.
TechWorks, in theory, always has been a great concept as a salve for downtown Waterloo, which, like other central urban business districts across the country, started a long downward slide when stores and other businesses moved out and buildings fell into disrepair. The farm crisis of the late 1980s certainly didn’t help.
Talk of downtown redevelopment is nothing new. What’s new is action, which appears to be starting.
Davenport-based developer Rodney Blackwell ventured into town with an eye on building new housing in downtown Waterloo and left with TechWorks on his mind.
“The bones of that building are incredible,” he said.
Whatever vision crept into Blackwell’s mind started to grow. Plans were drawn and revised. Consultants were brought in and high-level meetings held over the last couple of years.
And last week, that vision was unveiled to a roomful of civic and business leaders in the form of The Green @ TechWorks. When the project is completed sometime in the late summer or early fall of 2013, the campus will immediately have enough solar and wind power to provide as much as 60 percent of its energy needs. The “Tech 2” building will include “world-class” showroom and office space, as well as an upscale 100-room hotel/restaurant complex tailored to the needs of business and leisure travelers.
Next door will be a 24,000-square-foot John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum that planners say will attract tourists from all over the world. Deere also will have a thoroughly updated training facility on the premises. Planners say they are on the cusp of signing at least one new tenant for Tech 1.
And, that’s just part of a downtown renaissance planned for downtown. Blackwell says work will begin in the summer on revitalizing a downtown corridor dubbed “Main & Main,” along Commercial Street around the convention center.
Add to that, new housing along the riverfront, the riverfront plaza and amphitheater project and all of its amenities, rehab projects either on the drawing board, under way or already completed, plus the new SportsPlex, and it’s hard to doubt the rebirth of downtown Waterloo is finally taking shape with full force.
There have been hints that the promise of downtown was beginning to be realized, with ongoing individual projects too numerous to list here.
In other words, there already is visible evidence that the presence of TechWorks is setting off redevelopment in a long-moribund area of downtown.
Now, with Blackwell’s participation, a fuller-scale transformation of downtown is set to begin, as soon as next summer.
TechWorks is in the center of the action, but it is only the beginning.
That always has been the plan. Soon, we will be seeing concrete evidence of that long-held vision.
Read More: http://wcfcourier.com/business/local/column-techworks-finally-appears-to-be-moving-downtown-forward/article_6157d500-4daa-11e1-988b-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1mHNkalMV
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Now Accepting Nominations For Annual Awards
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber announces nominations are open for a variety of business awards to be presented during the 2012 Annual Celebration on Thursday, March 29th at the 5 Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. “The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Annual Celebration is one of my favorite events. It gives us the opportunity to thank all our investors and members for all they do to make the Cedar Valley a great place to do business. The businesses and individuals recognized always bring inspirational stories of success. It’s the high point of the evening,” said Bob Justis, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.
Do you know of an individual who should be recognized for their contributions in creating a strong business climate and enhancing the quality of life in the Cedar Valley by continued service and leadership? Has a business or organization, made an outstanding contribution to the Cedar Valley and its citizens on a continued basis or with a specific project? You are encouraged to nominate them for recognition of their contributions.
“The nominees and award winners demonstrate what a successful economy we have. It’s important and fun to recognize those who are investing capital, creating jobs and really making a difference,” said Alliance & Chamber CEO Steve Dust.
Nominations are being accepted through February 10th for the following awards:
• Business of the Year Award
• Harold Brock Innovation Award
• Treating Capital Well Award
• Fulfilling the Vision of One Award
• Cedar Valley Partner Award
Descriptions of the awards and nomination forms are available at the Alliance & Chamber offices or online at www.greatercedarvalleychamber.com under the “Resource Documents” link. Please contact Bette Wubbena at bwubbena@cedarvalleyalliance.com for more information.
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber works to increase wealth and economic vitality through collaborative economic and community development throughout The Cedar Valley economic area.
Cedar Valley Businesses Surveyed on Progam, Business Conditions
Responses to a recent, detailed survey of 70 Cedar Valley businesses and community leaders presented strong indications that the Cedar Valley economy has held its own during the downturn of the past several years. The survey was conducted by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, on behalf of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.
Survey respondents indicated that the recent favorable business results are attributed to strong manufacturing and agriculture sectors, particularly John Deere’s strong performance and demand for components and services in the U.S. and globally, low unemployment in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls MSA, and overall business expansion in the Cedar Valley economic area.
Additionally, survey respondents reported an increasing scarcity of available workforce possessing the technical and other industrial skills in demand. Respondents indicated continuing reliance on economic development and educational leaders to address the tightening constraint to growth.
In addition to gathering economic and workforce information during the survey, an outline of proposed development strategies was presented for review. Those businesses interviewed reinforced the three strategic goals of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.
- Develop and strengthen a technology and innovation-based economy;
- Act as the recognized catalyst and focal point of effective regional action on economic and community issues of importance to Cedar Valley businesses and institutions;
- Increase the effectiveness and impact of Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber organizations.
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber works to increase wealth and economic vitality through collaborative economic and community development throughout The Cedar Valley economic area.