Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
Annual Report 2012
We are Stronger Together
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VISION
TO BE THE TOP ECONOMIC GROWTH REGION IN THE COUNTRY.
MISSION
TO SERVE AS THE CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSITY, GROWTH AND PROSPERITY FOR OUR REGION.
VALUES
WE VALUE OUR MEMBERS AND STRIVE TO EXCEED THEIR EXPECTATIONS. WE EMBRACE INNOVATION IN OUR WORK. WE FOCUS ON COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS IN EVERYTHING WE DO. WE ARE COMMITTED TO A HIGH-PERFORMANCE CULTURE, CENTERED ON CORE COMPETENCIES.
Our Story
In the fall of 2011 we held a joint meeting of our three legacy organizations: the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown District and Priority One and the theme was “Stronger Together.” At that meeting, we discussed how – by joining forces and merging the three organizations into one – it would create a powerful unified voice for the region. We are here to tell you - and show you - We are stronger together. In order to show where we are today, it’s important to remember how we got here.
TIMELINE
Merger discussions began February 2011. In July, a letter of intent to merge was signed by the leadership of the three legacy organizations.
MEMBERS
By November the legacy boards voted on the merger contract. There were 105 total directors among the three legacy boards and in the final vote on the merger, there was only 1 dissenting vote from those directors. In December, a new staff competency model, staff structure and merger contract was complete. By January of 2012, we brought the team under one roof. We put in place and implemented an entirely new governance structure. We developed the vision, mission, values and worked hard to build one strategy from three legacy structures.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
At the top of the chart are you – our valued members. This is, after all, a membership organization, and it would not exist without the support of all of you. The Innovation Councils were designed in a way that is smart, innovative, and progressive. This is a unique structure – unlike anything we’ve seen around the country. Next are the Innovation Councils, comprised of passion-driven members of the business community who are able to use their unique expertise to provide strategic input and direction to us. This governance structure narrowly focuses each Council on where they can be the greatest help. We get advice on interstate commerce issues from our Economic Development Council comprised of leaders in interstate commerce. We fashion programming and support for small businesses and locally owned businesses based on direction from our Business Support Council made up of owners and leaders in small and locally owned businesses. We create downtown events and promote development projects within core districts in concert with leadership from our Community Development Council and its membership of people who work or live in downtown. Direction from the Innovation Council enables the Policy Board and staff leadership to create inclusive strategic plans and provide a clear pathway toward fulfillment of the Economic Alliance vision: To be the top economic growth region in the country. Next is the Policy Board, a group of 11 individuals who serve as the Economic Alliance’s board of directors, setting policy and overseeing the budget.
And, oh, by the way, we remodeled and moved into a new space in five months.
Leadership and staff are the foundation of this structure, with assistance from issue-driven taskforces and/or committees.
This was an aggressive schedule, by anyone’s standards. But it’s a credit to our team who made all of this and more happen in such a short time period.
It is a significant change from how each of the three legacy organizations operated.
During the months of merger discussion, Dee Baird and Doug Neumann met with more than 550 members and stakeholders to get feedback and input as this new organization was created. Your input and participation in those meetings shape who we are today.
We promised in this new organization a high performance structure. We remind each other each day we are now a cross-functional team focused on our core values. When you really take a moment to consider all this change – real and significant differences in how we did business to how we are now doing business for our members, stakeholders and the region – it makes all that was accomplished in 2012 even more impressive.
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Community Development Community development is about growing core central districts in Cedar Rapids and supporting our surrounding communities. This requires significant strategic programming, which in 2012 included the Downtown Farmers’ Markets, hosting 20,000 visitors to RAGBRAI, and maintaining and beautifying hundreds of blocks of streetscape. In all, the events and programs held in 2012 engaged more than 142,000 people.
Alliance Policy Board aligned the organization’s inaugural set of strategic goals to the Vision and Mission of the Economic Alliance, there was never a doubt that working toward flood protection for core districts of Cedar Rapids was going to be part of the focus.
There’s an exciting energy surging through our community as historic cultural venues reopen, unique restaurants and modern spaces blossom, and neighborhoods are renewed. As a part of our strategic goals, we are committed to the efforts of developing our community and its core business districts, to become a quality home for those who live and work here.
We’ve also fostered a strong group of volunteer committee members who are just as passionate about our community as we are. These committees have assisted with our efforts to work with community leaders to advance downtown and MedQuarter projects, have visited with developers to bring more housing options to the core and neighboring areas, and other important initiatives. Downtown has a unique variety of housing options that are already more than 90% occupied, so we know that continuing our efforts to grow housing in the core is necessary and possible.
engaged more than
142,000 people
While we work to grow our core districts, we realize we must also work to protect what’s been rebuilt, revitalized and created brand new, following the Flood of 2008. As the Economic
The City of Cedar Rapids is the lead agency in the flood protection efforts, but there is an important, albeit secondary role for the Economic Alliance to play in public policy advocacy, community outreach and other aspects of securing flood protection. Board members know there is a need to inform business and company owners, residents and potential residents about the flood protection already in place. It is that area where the Economic Alliance is striving to be a leader.
A CITY ON THE RISE
Our greater Cedar Rapids community is also filled with a diverse selection of restaurants, unique theatres, high-quality events, nightlife hot spots and fantastic cultural experiences. Our goal is to encourage those who live here to enjoy every aspect of living in one of “America’s Best Cities on the Rise (SmarterTravel.com, Sept. 2012).”
WE
Business Support In our core function of business support, our work is to create a strong business environment which supports all employers. Additionally, we focus attention on small and locally-owned businesses by offering monthly networking events, leadership and professional development opportunities. We led and supported 14 PM Exchanges, providing networking opportunities for 2,800 people. We participated in 60 ribbon cuttings recognizing and celebrating business growth. And 300 members took part in professional development academies, roundtables and Breakfast of Champions presentations. We encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities we provide to our members, by attending and becoming more involved in monthly, quarterly and annual networking events.
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ribbon cuttings
Fostering a strong business environment also means creating opportunities for emerging leaders to improve their skills and advance their careers. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Leadership for Five Seasons, a year-long program that prepares emerging and existing leaders in the Cedar Rapids area to be community trustees – supplying our businesses with informed, skilled leaders who are also willing to serve as active community volunteers. Leadership for Five Seasons is a way in which we can discover, develop and advance leaders of all ages within our Fostering a strong business community, as it has business environment evolved into offering Adult, Executive, College and Youth also means creating programs.
opportunities for emerging leaders to improve their skills and advance their careers
In 2013, we will build new programs and resources for local entrepreneurs to help achieve goals and build successful business ventures. As a part of our regional development initiatives and our efforts to support entrepreneurs, we are determining potential gaps to be filled, and will work to collaborate and create awareness of those resources that are already available within our community.
ARE SMART.
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Economic Development In our core function area of Economic Development, over the past two years: We made 177 contacts with business prospects in the target areas of bio-processing and food ingredients, logistics and distribution, food processing, process manufacturing, electronic equipment, wind energy, insurance, financial services, and information technology. Five new interstate commerce companies have located in the area. Additionally, we are currently working with 27 active projects which will make a decision in the next 12 months with the potential of 2,227 new jobs and $516,545,000 in capital investment. And our existing business focus is just as strong. We conducted 76 in-depth interviews with existing industries. We assisted 17 companies in retaining 63 jobs and creating 1,379 new jobs and new capital investment of $123,365,552 in 2012. Workforce development – it is clear from our work with existing businesses, attracting and retaining quality employees is an ongoing and serious issue. Our work is assisting in creating the pipeline. We do this by attending Career Fairs promoting the region and engaging interested candidates with information, holding employer meetings to identify needs and customize assistance and conduct Conquer the Creative Corridor presentations. In 2012 we met with 76 employers and engaged 3,800 people – talking to them about internships, job opportunities and all that this region offers in way of quality of life.
177
contacts with prospects
1,379 new jobs
76
in-depth interviews
$123,365,552 of capital investment
WE ARE
Public Policy
Public policy is a core function because it impacts so significantly all aspects of our other core functions. As the 2012 state legislative session began, the Economic Alliance was only a couple of weeks old. Yet it needed to perform like a seasoned public policy veteran as tax reform, a business-friendly ESOP bill, economic incentive funding, transportation priorities and education reform all faced critical debates. We achieved much in the policy arena in 2012, and perhaps even more in the area of building relationships, credibility and trust.
And our voice was among many that pressed Congress all year long for an extension of wind industry tax credits that have helped spur creation of jobs and capital investment.
• Concerted effort from staff leadership as well as a dedicated contract worker helped educate statewide legislators learn about what the new Economic Alliance was and what our key pro-growth, pro-business issues were. Statewide legislators soon recognized our new name, our new logo and knew what we stood for as a business organization.
• Our peers from business organizations around Iowa looked to us for leadership on the economic development programs and incentives, and we were able to showcase what wise and judicious use of incentive programs can mean with growth and expansion projects like Raining Rose and Intermec Technologies. Our relationship with staff and leadership at the Iowa Economic Development Authority gave us insight to share with other business leaders. • Our monthly legislative forums invited area legislators – many of them in critical legislative posts – into important conversations with business owners from the region, who in turn enjoyed the inside look, vivid updates and sometimeslively theatre as lawmakers provided updates and unique points of view. State legislative sessions can often be the most visible public policy work we do, but our work beyond the legislative branch can be just as important. Decades-long work with federal officials and the state Department of Transportation finally netted funding for the Highway 100 extension in 2012. And our voice was among many that pressed Congress all year long for an extension of wind industry tax credits that have helped spur creation of jobs and capital investment. An extension was finally worked out as part of the fiscal cliff negotiations and our regional economy will see benefits of that in 2013 and well beyond. While proud of the accomplishments in our first year, much work remains. We’ve added another staff person on the public policy team for 2013 in hopes of even greater progress in efforts at all levels of government.
INNOVATIVE.
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Regional Strategy Our work is not done in a vacuum. We have an active regional development strategy that we work on in coordination with our partners.
A key part of that strategy is our participation in the Corridor Business Alliance. We are one of 11 regional organizations that are working together to create a vital regional economy through the creation and growth of business. CBA members harness and leverage corridor resources to achieve our vision as well as to recruit and keep talent in the region.
One of the efforts the CBA undertook in the last two years was creating a regional brand for the seven-county region. The new regional name and logo – Iowa’s Creative Corridor - unveiled in February 2012, represent the convergence of art, science and technology that makes this region unique. Designating the region is one of the first steps in thinking, acting and planning regionally. Civic engagement is another part of our regional strategy. We worked with many volunteers through RAGBRAI, we engaged people through our legislative forums, and recognized the 20-plus years of work by volunteers who helped secure funding for the Highway 100 extension. Diversity and Inclusion is critical to our future economic growth. We support and take our cues from Diversity Focus. Entrepreneurship and Innovation – embracing innovation in our work is part of our regional strategy and it is one of our core values. On a regional basis we partner with the Entrepreneurial Development Center to support these business ventures.
This new clientele is an important area for us. It’s been proven in other growing regions that supporting the entrepreneurial community is a key to success. We collaborated on scholarships for entrepreneurs to ThincIowa--Iowa’s premiere entrepreneurship event and the Dream Big, Grow Here event. We will be organizing a bus trip and coordinate transportation to the Technology Association of Iowa – an event recognizing many of our innovative and growing technology companies in the Creative Corridor. And the Economic Alliance will be creating and implementing innovation programming in 2013.
WE ARE PRO
We have worked with 12 new prospects and rely on the expertise and services of the EDC to land the company.
Economic Alliance & Innovation Center The Economic Alliance moved into a beautiful, new facility in downtown Cedar Rapids opening the Economic Alliance & Innovation Center in July. The building was designed in a smart, innovative and progressive manner, playing a critical role as a first impression for Iowa’s Creative Corridor.
building. The former chamber board determined the business plan for that facility was unsustainable and too financially risky. The renovated building was created to be a beacon of economic growth. The new space gives the Economic Alliance options, flexibility and capability to advance our vision and mission.
The project team included 2001 Development, Ryan Companies and OPN Architects. Mike Driscoll, retired manager of Rockwell Collins Facilities Engineering, served as the tenant representative and project manager for the remodeling effort.
Within the 17,500 square feet of space is a facility that offers employers, organizations and individuals a contemporary, openair space where you can use all the latest technologies. Meeting spaces vary from a multi-purpose room, to large and small conference rooms as well as individual workstations. More information about the facility including rental options are available by calling the Economic Alliance at 319/398.5317 or emailing economicalliance@cedarrapids.org
A decision by the former Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to return $3 million to the Economic Development Administration provided the opportunity to start a new discussion about where the newly-organized Economic Alliance should be located. The EDA funds were originally awarded to create a new Economic Commerce Center
OGRESSIVE.
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A New Structure The Economic Alliance would like to thank our exceptional leaders for their support this past year. With direction from the Policy Board, Innovation Councils and Large Investors, we were able to make decisions in 2012 that laid the foundation for a successful and bright future ahead,
LARGE INVESTOR COUNCIL Rick Benhard
Jeff Pomeranz
Steve Caves
Randy Ramlo
Tim Charles
Ben Rogers
John Dorfler
John Sheehan
Jon Dusek
Kyle Skogman
Collins Community Credit Union US Bank
Mercy Medical Center Wells Fargo Bank Armstrong Development Co. & Downtown SSMID
City of Cedar Rapids United Fire Group Linn County
St. Luke’s Hospital Skogman Realty
Dan Smith
Economic Alliance Staff
BUSINESS SUPPORT INNOVATION COUNCIL Lee Belfield
Mike Monnahan
Theresa Bornbach
Brendan Murphy
Barry Boyer
John Osako
Lydia Brown
Paul Phelan
Mike Esker
Bill Prowell
Gary Ficken
Chad Simmons
Scott Gasway
Chris Skogman
Alliant Energy, Interstate Power & Light Co.
Julie Hein (Chair)
DJ Smith
Chuck Peters
Keith Hindman
Heather Smith Friedman
Tom Hughes
Charity Tyler
Jack Evans
The Hall Perrine Foundation
Vern Gebhard
Alliant Energy, Interstate Power & Light Co.
Larry Helling
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Tom Hobson
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Kathryn Kunert
MidAmerican Energy Company
Tom Metelmann
Quaker, a Division of Pepsico Inc.
Jeanine Penticoff
SourceMedia Group
Whirlpool Amana Division
Mick Starcevich
Kirkwood Community College
Roger Stone
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman
Gary Streit
Shuttleworth & ingersoll
Mike Sundall
Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa
Ted Townsend St. Luke’s Hospital
Joe Trabucco
Toyota Financial Services Center
Zins Restaurant Business & Talent Made Better Van Meter (Retired) Skywalk Group
Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty Bimm Ridder Sportswear J.P. Gasway Company, Inc. KZIA FM 1Z102.9, KGYM AM, ESPN 1600 Metro Studios
Hughes Nursery & Landscaping
The Blue Strawberry Coffee Company Guaranty Bank & Trust Company Informatics, Inc. Phelan’s Interior Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. The PenDennis Group Skogman Realty Attorney
de Novo Alternative Marketing NW Mutual Financial Network The Zach Group
WE ARE STRONG Brad Kiburz
BK Consulting, Project Manager
Mike McGrath (Vice Chair) McGrath Powersports
Richard Moffit
Marion Mixers, Inc.
Phil Wasta
Tallgrass Business Resources
Felicia Wyrick
Adfinity Marketing Group
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE TEAM
POLICY BOARD
Dee Baird
Nikki Durham
John Bloomhall
Jeff Pomeranz
Doug Neumann
Allen Merta
Barry Boyer (Chair)
John Schnipkoweit
Dennis Jordan
Laura Paulsen
Lydia Brown
Ted Townsend
Operations Team Tyanna Stephenson
Barbra Snitker
Steve Gray
Services Team Kelly Slaughter
Nancy Kasparek
Jody Bowers
Dennis Hotka
Allison Antes
Lon Olejniczak (Vice Chair)
Attraction & Retention (Local Business)
Transamerica Companies
Joan Benda
Quinn Pettifer
Jeanine Penticoff
Communications Team Pam Hinman
Julie Stow
President & CEO Vice President
Economic Development
Accounting
Executive Assistant Maintenance Specialist Receptionist
Communications Team Manager
Mallory Mohwinkle
Graphic Design & Multi-media
Jill Wilkins
Events Team
Events Team
Research Specialist (Financial) Research Specialist (Public Policy) Public Sector Liaison
Services Team Manager
Membership & Outreach Member Retention & Support
Amy Grotewold
Workforce Programs
Sarika Bhakta
Dawn Ainger
Tim Kortemeyer
John Bloomhall
Bruce Lehrman
Tim Bradshaw
Mary Meisterling
The Eastern Iowa Airport
Ray Brown
The ESCO Group
Brent Cobb
World Class Industries
Rod Dooley (Chair) Rockwell Collins
Steve Dummermuth Jr. IGD Industries
Mike Felton
DuPont Industrial Biosciences
Emily Fritts
Schneider Electric
Skywalk Group
RecBob
St. Lukes Hospital
Gray Venture Partners US Bank
Alliant Energy, Interstate Power & Light Co.
Chuck Peters
Source Media Group
Policy Board 2012
DeMaris McKee
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION COUNCIL Diamond V
Van Meter Inc.
City of Cedar Rapids
Innovation & Leadership Programs
District Improvement
Genova Technologies
Diamond V
Penford Product Company Involta
Alliant Energy, Interstate Light & Power Co.
Joe O’Hern
City of Cedar Rapids
Lon Olejniczak
TransAmerica Companies
Lon Pluckhahn City of Marion
Charlie Rohde
King’s Material, Inc.
Al Ruffalo
RuffaloCODY
Dan Smith (Vice Chair) Whirlpool Amana Division
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION COUNCIL Jill Ackerman
Tim Kintner
Jon Bancks
Christine Landa
Marion Chamber of Commerce Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Brian Brandt (Chair)
Principal Financial Group
Lois Buntz
United Way of East Central Iowa
Ryan Buresh
ImOn Communications
Scott Byers
Bankers Trust Company Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
Robb Loftsgard Wells Fargo Bank
Emily Meyer
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Dana Nichols
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Gibbs Lamb Drown Commercial Real Estate Advisors
Chuck Peters
Karl Cassell
John Schnipkoweit
City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
Bill Courter Courter Law
Kim Downs
City of Hiawatha
Heather Fleming Van Meter, Inc.
Source Media Group RecBob
Dave Sorg
OPN Architects
Pat Stepanek
GreatAmerica Leasing Corp.
Cathy Terukina (Vice Chair) Source Media Group
Bill Vernon
GER TOGETHER. Chuck Hammond Raining Rose
Tom Hayden
Shive-Hattery, Inc.
Kim Johnson
Kirkwood Community College
Duane Smith
Insurance Service Corp. A TrueNorth Co.
Mark Thoeny
American Profol, Inc.
Tim Hankewich Orchestra Iowa
Jim Hoffman
2001 Development
Mike Ivester ITC Midwest
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman
Bill Vincent
CliftonLarsonAllen
We are Stronger Together