Author Archives: Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber

Congratulations Boy Scout’s on New Website

The new website of the Winnebago Council Boy Scouts of America went live on June 20, 2012. Parents, volunteers, and Scouts now have access to a plethora of new features including an interactive calendar, online registrations, online newsletters, Scouting unit home pages, and the ability for volunteers and parents to manage certain portions of the website themselves.

With a contemporary design, the new website offers quick and easy access to essential information and is more user friendly than the previous website. The option to perform more tasks remotely via the internet will make parent and volunteer participation easier and more convenient.

Company Name: Winnebago Council, Boy Scouts ofAmerica

Telephone Number: 319-234-2867

Website: www.winnebagobsa.org

Women in Clean Energy Awards Program

The Department of Energy in parnership with MIT: The Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Program, or C3E MIT is running a C3E Awards program to recognize outstanding efforts to advance women’s mid-career leadership in six categories across the clean energy spectrum, each with a $10,000 cash prize. To find out more information about the awards program and eligibility, please visit this MIT website. Nominate someone you know bu July 2, 2012.
Find out more at http://web.mit.edu/mitei/c3e/index.html.

Area jobless rate 4.7 percent in May

Economic strength of Cedar Valley of Iowa shows in unemployment stats-but must re-skill/attract talent to fill demand. Here are some highlights from the Courier’s recent article.
DES MOINES — Unemployment in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area nudged downward one-tenth of a point from April to May, to 4.7 percent, according to Iowa Workforce Development.
Statewide, Iowa had the seventh-lowest unemployment rate in the nation in May, at 5.1 percent. That was unchanged from the April figure but down 15 percent from the 6 percent in May 2011.
Joblessness in the city of Waterloo was 5.8 percent in May, compared to 6.1 percent in April.
Across Black Hawk County, the May unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, compared to 5.1 in April and 5.7 in May 2011.
By JIM OFFNER, jim.offner@wcfcourier.comwcfcourier.com | Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 9:00 pm

Read More: http://wcfcourier.com/business/local/area-jobless-rate-percent-in-may/article_0a5f7f75-9be5-5201-9728-272de8164091.html#ixzz1yuLLgJVE

Cedar Valley Chamber Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Five years ago today, the election results were tallied and we found well in excess of 90% of our members had approved the merger of the two Chambers! This was, and still is acknowledged as a significant step for the businesses of our region to achieve this level of unity, recognizing that our economic interests are mutual, regardless of where we’re located. Good job! To our business and civic leaders who led – and still lead – the efforts to act in unity in matters relating to the economy and overall civic progress.

Iowa Post Secondary Education Student Gets Good Grade

Iowa’s four-year institutions’ performance places the state in the top 10 nationally for completion and retention rates. Iowa’s two-year institutions have a completion rate in the top 10, and its credentials produced per 100 full-time equivalent undergraduates and the percentage of Pell recipients are both above average. Over all, Iowa scored a B on the state by state report card. Information compiled by the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, US Chamber of Commerce.

UNI Business Incubator Company, TargetClick Purchased by Mudd Advertising

Cedar Falls, Iowa – June 19, 2012 – Mudd Advertising, the nation’s leading full-service automotive advertising agency headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, has acquired TargetClick Marketing Solutions, a strategic innovation-focused online marketing company.

Through this acquisition, Mudd Advertising strengthens its digital offerings with search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and reputation management. TargetClick employs a holistic online marketing strategy of organic and paid search drivers that build the foundation needed to turn visitors into leads.

“I have always believed clients deserve to ask for and expect immediate results. It’s a core principle that drives everything we do, and it is exactly why we brought on TargetClick – to ensure our clients can continue to expect immediate, great results across every advertising channel,” Mudd Advertising Founder and Chief Spiritual Officer Jim Mudd Sr. said.

Joining the Mudd Advertising team are Doug Drees, Director of Search Engine Marketing; Greg Jass, Director of Search Engine Optimization; and Therese Kuster, Director of Digital Reputation. Their track record will play a key role in defining Mudd’s ongoing commitment to the integration of both digital and traditional media strategies that produce return on investment.

“There has been a huge shift in how businesses market themselves, and online marketing is at the forefront of that. Online marketing is not an option anymore for businesses – it’s essential,” Drees said.

“TargetClick fits seamlessly into our overall strategy of being a one-stop media integration company. Speed to market is mission critical in the automotive retail world and having all services in-house gives our dealers a distinct marketing advantage. It is essential that Mudd Advertising keeps a strong hold on being the leader in marketing innovation for our dealers. When our dealers win, Mudd wins and in that order,” said Rob Mudd, President – Digital Media.

The TargetClick acquisition was effective June 1, 2012. While TargetClick will maintain all client relationships, they will operate under the name TargetClick – Powered by Mudd Advertising.

GCVAC Assesses Legislative Actions in 2012

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber has reviewed the outcomes of the 2012 session of the Iowa General Assembly. Unfortunately, on the three items that were at the top of the Alliance and Chamber’s “to do list” for the session, one saw no resolution, one was significantly less than desired, and one required a great deal of defense to protect what we already had.

No action: equity for commercial and industrial property taxpayers. After an entire session when the leadership in each chamber and the Governor said this item was their top priority and after hundreds of hours of meetings and negotiations, the Governor and House Republicans were unable to reach a compromise with the Senate Democrats that would result in an important change inIowa law.

Less than desired: economic development incentives. Last year, the Legislature changed the Iowa Department of Economic Development to the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. This year, the Governor had originally asked for $25 million to go to the Authority so it could continue to work on the Governors goal of creating 200,000 jobs new jobs inIowa. The House Republican leadership initially responded by saying that $0 would be allocated to this purpose, but the final negotiations between the chambers resulted in a bill that sets the level of incentives available at $15 million.

Defense: tax increment financing or TIF. Set off by having one community lure a business away from an adjoining community, Legislators decided that it was time to restructure the law regulating the creation and use of TIF’s. Tax increment financing is the only economic development tool available to local governments and the initial bills aimed at changing the TIF law would in fact have gutted it, making it of little use in the future. Again, hours and hours of negotiations were held and even though the Alliance & Chamber’s view was no change would have been the best change, some fairly minor changes in the areas of transparency and reporting were adopted, as were anti-piracy provisions to address the initial problem Legislators were trying to get at when they started tinkering with TIF.

The Alliance & Chamber await the Governor’s actions on these and other items of interest. We will produce an update once the Governor has completed his work in signing or vetoing the bills sent to him by the Legislature.

Economic Indicators Continue To Improve

DES MOINES, IOWA – June 1, 2012. Expected levels of sales, capital spending, and employment for Iowa’s largest employers have all improved as business leaders express a positive economic outlook for

the coming six months. The 2012Q2 Iowa Business Council (IBC) Overall Economic Outlook Survey Index (OSI) rose to 68.3 – two points higher than three months ago (66.3) and three points ahead of this time last year (65.3). This represents a historic high for the Outlook Survey Index, surpassing the previous OSI standard of 66.7 set in 2011Q1. The 2012Q2 survey was completed by 20 of the corporate members of the Iowa Business Council during the second half of May, the results of which were released today.

The 2012Q2 Sales OSI is 73, two points higher than last quarter (71) and four points better than one year ago (69). One hundred percent of the CEOs expect steady or increased sales over the next six months – substantially higher (20%), higher (50%), or no change (30%). Zero percent of survey respondents expect sales levels to decrease – lower (0%) or substantially lower (0%).

The 2012Q2 Capital Spending OSI is 69, which is two points above last quarter (67) and five points higher than the 2011Q2 survey (64). Ninety-five percent of IBC corporate members expect steady or increased capital spending levels through November 2012 – substantially higher (25%), higher (30%), or no change (40%). Five percent of survey respondents expect capital spending, i.e., investments in facilities and equipment, to decrease – lower (5%) or substantially lower (0%).

The 2012Q2 Employment OSI is 63, two points ahead of three months ago (61) and the same as this time last year (63). This result matches the Outlook Survey Index high for Employment of 63 first set in 2008Q1 and equaled again in 2011Q2. Ninety percent expect hiring levels for the next six months to remain steady or grow – substantially higher (10%), higher (40%), or no change (40%). Ten percent expect employment needs to decrease – lower (10%) or substantially lower (0%).

“Iowa business leaders are clearly experiencing an improving economy and have a positive outlook. This bodes well for Iowa companies and their respective supply chains and employees,” said Stan Askren, the Chairman, President, and CEO of HNI Corporation in Muscatine, and 2012 Chair of the Iowa Business Council.

The Economic Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly by the Iowa Business Council to informIowabusinesses and Iowans about projected trends in the state’s economy, which may prove useful for business and economic planning purposes.

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose 24 members are the top executives of 20 of the largest businesses in the state, the three Regent university presidents, and Iowa’s largest banking association. Founded in 1985, the Council’s purpose is to focus the personal commitment of its members in active leadership roles on major initiatives that offer opportunity to enhance Iowa’s economic vitality and improve the lives of Iowans. Council members identify economic issues, evaluate options, and assist in implementing solutions through collaborative public/private partnerships. Collectively, these companies and institutions employ over a quarter million Iowans and have committed billions of dollars in capital investment to the state. On an annual basis, several hundred million dollars in financial contributions and thousands of volunteer hours are directed to numerous charitable causes around Iowa. IBC members also lead in technology innovation with billions of dollars spent and grants procured for research and development. The Business Council focuses its efforts primarily in areas related to advanced technology, continuous process improvement, economic and workforce development, education excellence, health care and wellness, and operations continuity and security. Its representation reaches across the state – from borders north and south to rivers east and west. For more information, please visit the IBC Web site at www.iowabusinesscouncil.org.

Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Launches New Online Resource

(06/14/2012, Waterloo, IA) – The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber announced today the debut of their new business-focused website. The Alliance & Chamber brought the features and related information from multiple economic development and chamber of commerce sites, into one integrated web presence (www.cedarvalleyalliance.com).

The Alliance & Chamber’s website serves as a resource for new and growing businesses, important economic and community data including economic profiles, demographics, major employers, cost of living and more. In addition, it will highlight tools and resources for members including legislative advocacy efforts, quality of life amenities, education and workforce resources, as well as business education and networking events and promotional opportunities for member/ investors.

To increase traffic, this media-rich website has maximized search engine optimization, social media integration, and value-added features such as a events calendar and enhanced membership directory. The directory now includes links to investor websites, video, introduction, and social media. These features, along with tools to promote events and products will provide greater exposure and drive more traffic to member/investor websites and locations.

Fresh content, relevant to the business community will be posted frequently including the latest press releases, community and economic news, TechWorks and legislative advocacy updates, and timely postings from the CEO. The new media center allows visitors to access links to online versions of print publications and newsletters with Courier Communications and other Cedar Valley media partners. The video and photo galleries give viewers a more complete picture of the Cedar Valley communities and resources.

The flexibility of the new site allows information about the entire Cedar Valley economic area to be added.

To further enhance the sites value proposition to investors and users, a mobile application will be launched later this summer. The application, will allow smart phone users to access the fully searchable investor business directory, find businesses closest to them, access information about current promotions, provide single click mapping and dialing to businesses, plus news and event reminders.

“The new website is an advanced tool for providing resources and information to our investors, the Cedar Valley and businesses considering locating to our region,” explains Steven J. Dust Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber CEO, “It helps us achieve our primary goal; to provide information instantly that accommodates both today’s product selection and buying decisions as well as business location decisions.”

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber brings together nearly 900 businesses, local governments, healthcare and educational institutions to make the Cedar Valley of Iowa one of the nation’s best places to do business and enjoy life. With the support and efforts of the investors and member volunteers, the Alliance & Chamber serves as a conduit for information about the region, its businesses and the issues that affect them and provides opportunities for significant professional networking, business education and promotion. The Alliance & Chamber supports workforce & talent development, and aggressively works to improve our positive climate for business expansion and growth.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber encourages interested parties to Be Part of Something Greater by visiting www.cedarvalleyalliance.com.

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