Author Archives: Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber

What a Day!

By Steve Dust, President/CEO Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber

You have probably seen that commercial for an insurance company where, after a great day for a young woman receiving a new car and an equally dismal day for a man whose car tires have been stolen, both exclaim, “What a day!”

That’s how I felt on Tuesday, July 11 as spent four hours traveling to and from Des Moines to attend a three-hour meeting.

Usually, I wouldn’t attend a meeting outside the Cedar Valley on the day of an Alliance & Chamber board meeting, never mind our annual meeting. But I broke that rule for the Future Ready Iowa Alliance board meeting because it meets so infrequently, its planning work is nearing the end, and important implementation actions soon follow.

“What a day!” I repeated to myself the entire trip. Initially, I focused on missing hours of prep time for the Alliance & Chamber annual meeting. Then the people I encountered completely turned my day around.

Ben Allen, former University of Northern Iowa president and current interim Iowa State University president, was the first person I encountered. It was good to see an old friend and champion of the Cedar Valley. That was worth the trip, I thought.
Mike Ralston, President of Iowa Association of Business and Industry, and I walked in together. We always have a lot to compare notes on, but he emphasized that a recent ABI social media post attracted the largest number of views, interactions, and reposts his organization had experienced. The post featured the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presenting U.S. Rep Rod Blum with its Spirit of Enterprise Award; the Alliance & Chamber co-hosted the event at the TDS Automation/Doerfer plant in Waverly.
Hawkeye Community College President Linda Allen is one of eight on the board from various Cedar Valley sectors. As we were getting yet another cup of coffee, she talked to me about another potential partnership between Hawkeye and a local major employer, implemented at TechWorks Campus. She is pumped about the opportunity. (Now, all we need is money).
As the program began, Georgia Van Gundy, CEO of Iowa Business Council, gave a shout out to the Cedar Valley’s aggressive programming to retain, recruit, and prepare talent to fuel economic growth. Unexpected and appreciated. (IBC’s members are Iowa’s largest 20+/- employers, the three regent universities, and bankers’ association.)
While walking back to my table from the coffee urn, President Liang Chee Wee of Northeast Iowa Community College got up from his table to greet me with his characteristic smile. He told me, “I’m a fan of all you’re doing in the Cedar Valley!” That’s all of you: I just happened to be in the spot to catch the compliment.
It was good to see Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham simply because of health challenges she has been managing – with her typical “I’m not getting beat” approach, of course. But then she highly complimented the work of the Alliance & Chamber Economic Development team working on a particular project. I thanked her for taking extraordinary steps to ensure the opportunity to win.
Governor Kim Reynolds’ Deputy Chief of Staff Tim Albrecht is a recent graduate of ABI’s Leadership Iowa, the same class for which Leader Valley‘s Melissa Reade was a co-director. Tim thanked me for the time given Melissa to fulfill that role. She said, “Without Melissa there, it would not have been the amazing experience we had.” That is quite a compliment.
During the meeting, I sat with UNI Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Wohlpart. He has a goal to ensure the Future Ready Iowa initiatives to increase the percentage of Iowan’s with post-high school educational/career prep credentials are effectively implemented in the Cedar Valley economic area. Jim frequently moved our small-group discussion toward the need for local strategies to implement the statewide framework. His enthusiasm is contagious. I’m glad to have such a motivated leader making a difference for the workforce and employers of the Cedar Valley.

By the end of the meeting, I was saying, “What a day!” but for an entirely different reason than during my morning drive.

I had been reminded that the Cedar Valley generally, and our Alliance & Chamber especially, have many talented people effectively and proactively implementing meaningful projects to make our region even greater – and that effort recognized statewide.

Letter of Support for Convention Center, Hotel Agreement

In a letter to Mayor Quentin Hart and Waterloo Council Members, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber CEO Steve Dust outlines several reasons why the city should approve an agreement with developer Leslie Hospitality Company. “This agreement is beneficial to the city’s taxpayers, and should be seen as enabling a significant benefit to the Cedar Valley economy and your city’s image,” Dust writes.

Waterloo City Council members approved selling the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center to Leslie Hospitality Company on July 17.

Read Dust’s letter of support.

Tribute to Sullivan Brothers Secured with Naming of Plaza Surrounding Convention Center

Waterloo, Iowa – The City of Waterloo and Leslie Hospitality Company are pleased to announce that the square block where Waterloo’s convention center resides will be dedicated as Sullivan Brothers Plaza and incorporated into the convention center’s new name: Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza.

“We are very pleased with the naming of Sullivan Brothers Plaza” says Kelly Sullivan, spokesperson for the Sullivan Family. “Leslie Hospitality and Mayor Hart have done everything possible to accommodate our requests. We are pleased that the Convention Center complex will continue to pay tribute to the Five Sullivan Brothers as well as honor all veterans of our armed forces.”

Late Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Hart convened a meeting with Edwin Leslie, President and CEO of Leslie Hospitality and representatives of the Sullivan family including Kelly Sullivan and former Mayor John Rooff. The purpose of the meeting was to assure the Sullivan family and their supporters that tribute to the Five Sullivan Brothers would continue with the transfer of the building’s ownership to the developer. “Designating the grounds of the convention center Sullivan Brothers Plaza will ensure that the property will always honor the sacrifice of the Sullivan Brothers and their families” says Mayor Hart. “The Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Brothers Plaza will honor the Sullivans and be a living monument to all the brave men and women who valiantly defend our country.”

“In addition to individual meetings with Kelly and her father, at my request Mr. Edwin Leslie was happy to drive back to Waterloo from Omaha to meet with the Sullivans in person,” says Hart. “Leslie Hospitality has demonstrated their commitment to be a community partner, investing in our city’s progress while honoring the legacy of the Sullivan Brothers and all of our veterans.”
A monument paying tribute to the Sullivans will be constructed on the Plaza by Leslie Hospitality. The new owner is anxious to get underway with the overhaul to the convention center and hotel.

“We hope to start immediately by making initial improvements to the building’s exterior and technology, and by delivering exceptional customer service through a passionate and highly-trained staff,” said Edwin Leslie. “Renovated facilities and our intensive marketing efforts will increase the awareness of the Sullivan Family as well as the City of Waterloo. It’s a win-win for all involved!”
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City of Waterloo Contact:
Wendy Bowman, Wendy.Bowman@Waterloo-IA.org

Leslie Hospitality Contact:
Edwin Leslie, eleslie@leslie-hospitality.com

Dean Snyder Construction Ranks 341 on Top 400 Contractors List

Each year, Engineering News-Record (ENR), the leading U.S. publication for the engineering and construction industry, releases its Top 400 Contractors list to rank firms across the country according to annual revenue. Dean Snyder Construction’s significant growth and exceptional performance in 2016 landed the firm at No. 341. This will mark Dean Snyder Construction’s inaugural appearance on the list.

“We congratulate and share this award with all of our employees as they helped us achieve this high honor of being in the ‘Top 400’ contractors,” said Dale Snyder, Chief Executive Officer. “It has been a 40-year goal to someday make the ENR ‘Top 400’ list, and we are honored to be number 341 in 2017. We are very excited and look forward to future growth and expansion.”

Engineering News-Record ranks companies according to revenue for construction services performed in the previous year. Contractors listed on this year’s Top 400 generated $366.41 billion in revenue in 2016 – an increase of 6.5 percent from $344.14 billion in 2015.
For Dean Snyder Construction, the majority of its growth in 2016 stemmed from projects within the food and beverage processing market in Iowa and the Midwest.

Dean Snyder Construction, founded in 1958, is a family-owned firm providing design-build, construction management, and general construction services with offices in Clear Lake and Ankeny, Iowa.

Mayor Hart and Waterloo Main Street Working To Minimize Impact of 4th St. Bridge Closures

Improvements are underway to the 4th Street pedestrian walkway. The City of Waterloo is working to minimize the impact of construction on businesses and those driving through downtown.
Beginning this Friday, the 4th Street bridge will be closed to all traffic. Closures will occur throughout the project to accommodate necessary construction equipment and workers. The bridge will be open to traffic during My Waterloo Days and Iowa Irish Fest.
Mayor Hart is working with City staff, Main Street Waterloo, engineers and contractors to accommodate as much vehicular traffic as possible while keeping the project on pace for completion. Hart asks drivers and businesses to be patient during the process and reminds us that every day without a closure is a day without progress on the much needed project.
“Thanks to Mayor’s leadership, accommodations were made to lessen the impact on business as much as possible,” says Tavis Hall, Executive Director, Main Street Waterloo. “We want to make sure those impacted the most have as much notice as possible and keep the bridge open whenever possible.”
ACCOMMODATIONS MADE FOR DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC
• Reopened nightly after 7 pm until June 18th (to accommodate painting subcontractor – Thomas Industrial Coatings (TIC). TIC may be able to open the northeast bound lane of traffic, when possible.
• Open on some weekends. The contractor, Minturn, may want to work weekends to stay ahead of TIC. Minturn is planning to work this Saturday, June 3rd.
• TIC plans to work six days a week starting around June 19th.
WORK WILL INCLUDE
• Painting the metal structure.
• Replacement of canopy windows.
TIMELINE
• Closed during the day starting Friday, June 2nd.
• Estimated reopen date is end of September for vehicular traffic on 4th Street bridge.
• Estimated reopen date is end of October for pedestrian usage of 4th Street pedestrian walkway.
• 4th Street vehicular traffic bridge will also be open for My Waterloo Days weekend, June 9-11 and the Iowa Irish Fest, August 4-6.
A weekly project update will be distributed by e-mail to businesses and organizations impacted in the downtown area to inform about contractor’s progress and weekend closures when necessary. Those wishing to be added to the distribution list should contact Main Street Waterloo by calling (319) 291-2038.
Questions regarding 4th Street bridge closures may be directed to the City of Waterloo Engineering Department (319)291-4312, or by email to city.engineer@waterloo-ia.org. Updates will be posted on the City’s website www.cityofwaterlooiowa.com, and through social media.

Construction project to impact traffic around Covenant Medical Center

WATERLOO – The city of Waterloo is planning a reconstruction of West 9th Street between the San Marnan Frontage Road and St. Francis Drive during the 2017 summer road construction season. The project will involve complete removal and replacement of the existing street as well as construction of a new storm sewer.

Work will be done in stages to maintain access to Covenant Medical Center, however road closures will impact how emergency responders, patients, and visitors get to the hospital:

Sections of West 9^th Street will be closed in both directions.
The Park Lane intersection will be closed for an estimated two-week period.
Visitors coming from the south and east should see minimal impact, however there may be increased traffic on St. Francis Drive.
Emergency responders who enter through the gate off San Marnan Drive should see no changes.

Road construction is currently planned to begin May 8, 2017. Weather may impact the work schedule at any point during the project. Temporary signage will be posted to direct traffic. Progress updates including traffic maps will be posted to www.WheatonIowa.org/roadwork

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Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Iowa is a faith-based 511-bed, not-for-profit, comprehensive
medical/surgical health care provider offering acute levels of medical care at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls, and Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. Its services in the region also include Covenant Clinic with more than 107 primary care and specialty providers; Covenant Foundation, Sartori Health Care Foundation and Mercy Hospital Foundation. Areas of excellence include cardiology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, maternity and NICU, cancer treatment, minimally invasive and Bariatric surgery. The Iowa operations have been part of a 140 year system of care sponsored by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, formerly incorporated in 1983. In 2016, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters transferred their Iowa operations to Mercy Health Network, an Iowa-based health care system based out of Des Moines, Iowa.

Mercy Health Network (MHN) is an integrated system of member hospitals and other health and patient care facilities united into one operating organization to improve the delivery of healthcare services to the people of Iowa and adjoining states. MHN’s sponsors own and operate medical centers and other services in Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Mason City, and Sioux City and community hospitals in six other locations. In addition, MHN has 27 members who participate through contracts for management and other services. Mercy Health Network (MHN) was founded in 1998 under a joint operating agreement between two of the largest Catholic, not-for-profit health organizations in the United States: Catholic Health Initiatives, based in Englewood, Colorado, and Trinity Health, based in Livonia, Michigan.

Ethics conference presentation proposals due June 9

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The third biennial Conference on Ethics is now accepting presentation proposals, which are due now no later than the extended deadline of June 15, 2017.

This year’s conference is focusing on ethics and social responsibility. It will be held Sept. 22 at Maucker Union on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

The conference aims to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, research and best practices in facilitating and promoting social ethics and personal responsibility among students and communities. Oral, panel and poster presentations will be offered from faculty and staff from UNI, Hawkeye Community College, Allen College and other institutions of higher learning from Iowa as well as public officials, experts and community members from across the Cedar Valley.

Presentation topics need to be relevant to social ethics and responsibility. Submission forms can be obtained at ethics.uni.edu/ethics-conference-2017-home. Direct questions about the “Call for Presentations” to jerry.durham@allencollege.edu.

Leading sponsors of the conference include Allen College, the UNI Center for Academic Ethics, Character Counts! Cedar Valley and Hawkeye Community College.

Community Invited to Grand Reopening Celebration Saturday

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – May 8, 2017– The Walmart Supercenter remodel at 525 Brandilynn Blvd. is complete – and, in addition to the physical changes inside, customers now have access to Online Grocery Pickup.

For the first time, Cedar Falls residents can order Walmart groceries online and pick them up without ever having to unbuckle their seatbelts. Customers select from up to 40,000 online grocery items, diapers, dog food and more, and choose the best time to pick up. A Walmart personal shopper loads the groceries into your car when you arrive – all at no additional cost.

“This remodel was about more than a fresh coat of paint,” said Store Manager Bob Brokaw. “It was about investing in ways for Cedar Falls customers to save time and money. Grocery shopping, especially for busy families with kids, used to take a couple of hours on the weekend. Now, it’s a matter of a few clicks and one of our associates bringing the order out to their vehicle.”

Physical changes inside the store are headlined by Walmart’s new, state-of-the-art electronics department that allows customers to try tablets, laptops and other technology on display before purchase. Several departments offer expanded assortments, and larger signage was added throughout the store to ease navigation.

Residents are invited to a grand reopening celebration, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tents will be set up in front of the store, where hot dogs, cookies and coffee will be served, along with a variety of activities for kids. Samples and giveaways will be available, while supplies last.

Job Opportunities
At Walmart, associates have access to competitive wages, affordable benefits, and the chance to build a career. More than 75 percent of store management teams started as hourly associates, and 40 percent of those promotions went to associates within the first year of their employment.

Committed to the Community
Walmart is committed to serving Cedar Falls by supporting local organizations with a donation of $3,000 to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and $3,000 to the Cedar Valley Volunteer Center. The commitment is woven into Walmart’s day-to-day business activities, creating value by accelerating job mobility, developing suppliers and small businesses, lowering the environmental footprint of the company’s operations and more.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,593 stores under 63 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482.1 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.4 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

Jim Schaefer joins the Alliance & Chamber as Director of Investor Relations

Cedar Valley of Iowa (April 12, 2017) – The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is pleased
that Jim Schaefer has joined its’ professional team as Director of Investor Relations.

The Director of Investor Relations is primarily responsible for investor-member recruitment and retention.

“Jim is a strong advocate for the Cedar Valley,” says Steve Dust, Alliance & Chamber CEO, “He brings 25 years of experience in sales and marketing in business-to-business transactions, as well as a history of volunteering to make the Cedar Valley a stronger place. Jim will be an integral part of delivering value to our existing and not-yet investors, and all businesses and institutions in the Cedar Valley economic area.”

Most recently, Schaefer was a Regional Territory Manager at Professional Office Services, Inc. (POS). He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, earning his B.A. in Political Science. He resides in Waterloo with his wife, Kristin, and three children. He will begin his work with the Alliance & Chamber on April 17, 2017.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is a private, not-for-profit corporation working to increase wealth and economic vitality through collaborative economic and community development throughout the Cedar Valley economic area. Details about the many programs and initiatives of the Alliance & Chamber can be found at www.cedarvalleyalliance.com or by calling Steve Dust, CEO at (319) 232-1156.

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