View the three part video of Steve Dust, CEO of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, on KWWL’s Steele Report here.
Tag Archives: employment
Iowans Support Path to Citizenship for Immigrants with Conditions.
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.
Digging in . . .Two Weeks In.
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
Former GMAC Employees Invited to Cedar Valley Talent Connect Job Fair
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is hosting a job and opportunity fair for former GMAC employees looking for employment and career development opportunities.
CEDAR VALLEY of IOWA (January 18, 2013)—On Monday, January 28th, from 10am-1pm, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber (GCVAC) will host a job fair for former GMAC employees looking for new positions at the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo. This fair, a part of the Alliance & Chamber’s “Cedar Valley Talent Connect” program, will feature local employers who have expressed a need for talent skilled in customer service.
In addition to career opportunities, a number of higher educational institutions, including UNI and Hawkeye Community College, will be present to discuss in-demand training programs and coach interested persons through the application process.
“Good communications skills are always in high demand. The experience of the former GMAC workers combined with our low unemployment rates, make us optimistic that employment connections will be made at this event,” states Brittany Jungck, Director of Business Services with the Alliance and Chamber.
Former GMAC employees with questions about this fair can contact Brittany Jungck, Director of Business Services at the Alliance & Chamber office: (319) 232-1156. A direct link with information about this event and other Talent Connect services can be found here: http://cedarvalleyalliance.com/talentconnect
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Governor to Visit Cedar Valley
“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:
- Providing Property Tax Relief
- Making our Schools the Best in the Nation
- Improving Iowa’s Quality of Life
Registration is appreciated. Click here.
Read the Govenors 2013 Condition of the State Address
Iowa’s Business Climate Great Across Sectors and for Start Ups
Great profile of IOWA biz climate in Delta Sky mag. Penned by Cedar Valley’s Courier writer Jim Offner. Read it here.
GCVAC Encourages Legislators to Work Together for Economic Growth
“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.
UNI graduates fare well in today’s economy
The University of Northern Iowa hosted its annual fall Commencement Saturday, Dec. 15. As hundreds of UNI students graduate and begin to look for employment opportunities, the December job outlook is more important than ever.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook for 2012, the overall top B.A. degrees in demand by employers this year are finance, accounting, and computer and information sciences, followed by electrical and mechanical engineering. UNI has a number of majors that align with these needs.
According to Matt Nuese, associate director of UNI’s career services office, UNI graduates seem to be faring well in today’s economy. Nearly 84 percent of last year’s graduates secured jobs or were continuing their education upon graduation, according to the 2011 Career Services Graduate Report.
It appears that many UNI graduates are staying within the state. During the last three years, three-fourths of all UNI graduates were employed in Iowa. The top employers of UNI students include Wells Fargo, John Deere and Waterloo Community Schools.
For more information, contact Bob Frederick, director of career services, at 319-273-6857 or robert.frederick@uni.edu.
GCVAC NOW ACCCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL AWARDS
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber announce nominations are open for a variety of business awards to be presented during the 2013 Annual Celebration on Thursday, March7th 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 January 18th 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. cedarvalleyalliance.com/programsandevents . For additional information, please contact Bette Wubbena at bwubbena@cedarvalleyalliance.com or 232-1156.
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.
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