ANNUAL REPORT Growing Greater Fort Dodge…
2016
24 N. 9th Street, Suite A | Fort Dodge, IA 50501 | T: 515.955.5500
www.greaterfortdodge.com PUBLISHED February 2017
24 North 9th Street, Suite A | Fort Dodge | Iowa 515-955-5500 www.greaterfortdodge.com
FUNDAMENTALS The year 2016 was highlighted by continued cooperation throughout the region as both private and public sectors saw significant growth and improvement. The recognition would not be complete without thanking the Fort Dodge Mayor, City Council and the Webster County Board of Supervisors for the leadership they have demonstrated as well as the educational institutions and all of the members of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance for their collaboration and initiative.
EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR
Through the efforts of the Growth Alliance, the City of Fort Dodge and Webster County, as well as our local legislators, Iowa successfully passed into law the nation’s first Renewable Tax Credit Program that will be a valuable aid in recruiting to Iowa's Crossroads of Global Innovation, which continues to generate interest for potential future economic growth. The tax credit could mean up to $5 million to a renewable chemical company over 5 years.
UTILITIES
Sewer
New housing opportunities were begun through the partnership of the Growth Alliance, City of Fort Dodge and Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation in acquiring land and creating incentives for newly needed housing choices. The Growth Alliance also worked with the City of Gowrie and the Gowrie Development Commission (GDC) to establish new and significant housing incentives for new housing in the City of Gowrie which will also help to meet the area housing needs.
- Dennis Plautz, CEO, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance
K-12
Community
INTRODUCTION OF PRODUCTS WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS
79%
80%
Healthcare
NEW PRODUCT/SERVICE ANTICIPATION IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS
Electric
Telecom
72% Water
Natural
86%
Internet Access
PLANS TO EXPAND IN THE NEXT 3 YEARS
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
The Growth Alliance continues to look for additional and better ways to communicate and forward information to its members as well as the general public, and on January 1, 2017 our new website went live. It is mobile friendly, more cost effective, and more up to date. The site will have additional features for current members, simplified usage for both members and nonmembers, and will be more user friendly for current and prospective residents and businesses.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Rarely does one get up in the morning thinking about the fundamental services provided by the government or a community. These services are still critical to the day-to-day operations of a business.
Police
Paramedic Services
Fire Protection
Property Tax Assessment
Streets & Roads
Highways
Airline Passenger Service
Zoning/ Building Permits
43% IOWA
57% GREATER FORT DODGE
SURVEY RESULTS
2016 Economic Development
The data was collected by interviewing 22 industry leaders of Greater Fort Dodge. A company‘s survival in today’s economy depends on keeping pace with the market through innovation and introduction of new products.
WORKFORCE Having an available and productive workforce is key to supporting a successful, growing business climate. Through our interviews, we found that workforce availability and quality have perceivably increased. In 2016, 94% of business leaders ranked workforce availability either good or excellent versus 84% in 2014.
WORKFORCE AVAILABILITY
FAIR 6%
GOOD 83%
2016 started with a bang! AML Riverside officially joined our community on January 4th with the purchase of Boehringer Ingelheim Vet Medica’s 145,000 square foot facility. They have promised to invest over $7 million in the acquisition, improvements and machinery and equipment. They have also committed to hiring 30 employees by January 2019, which they have far exceeded that employment number in the Fall of 2016. AML Riverside will contract manufacture animal pharmaceuticals for the North American market out of the Fort Dodge facility.
EXCELLENT 11% To allow for continued customer service excellence today as well as in the future, Nestlè’s new 27,000 square foot warehouse was necessary. It is a key piece of the puzzle for their future growth and became operational December 2016.
WORKFORCE QUALITY
FAIR 5%
GOOD 60%
FUTURE WORKFORCE In 2016 the Growth Alliance had 27 young adults participate in our Internship+ program – the largest participation to date. Last year marked the first year of a formal externship program for our region. There were 14 teachers who participated in the program with realizations that communication, teamwork and problem solving are critical skills to be successful in the workplace. The Growth Alliance continues to add tools to the workforce tool box for recruitment and retention of a quality workforce.
EXCELLENT 35% Elanco finalized the purchase of the Boerhringer Ingelheim Vet Medica’s 5th Street campus. Elanco purchased the facility, its intellectual property and research and development facilities for $885 million. Elanco expects to expand its R&D capabilities through the purchase as well as increase its market share in the global animal health industry. We are excited to support Elanco’s growth in our region.
Late 2016, the ribbon was cut for a desperately needed light industrial park in Fort Dodge, the Decker Development. The development is located on the west central side of the community, with excellent access to Highway 20. As of today, over 30 acres have been sold.
WEBSTER COUNTY Printing and Related Support Activities
36,829
POPULATION
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD
JUST THE STATS
$42,408
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 2016
LABOR FORCE
3.2%
20,854
$2,628,440
Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
$3,562,734
2016
Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
$3,911,160
Top 10
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
$11,303,998
Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing
$14,599,744
Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
$25,407,274
Lime and Gypsum Product Manufacturing
$53,815,682 $88,185,532
Animal Food Manufacturing
GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT (GRP)
$2.14 B
Manufacturing Industries in Webster County
Basic Chemical Manufacturing
$92,282,292
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
$365,946,997
WAGE GROWTH
Source: U.S. Census—North American Industry Classification System
JOB GROWTH
15.5 % WAGE
$ 50,692
$ 47,812
$ 42,046
$ 42,441
$ 43,48
288
$ 47,861
73
$ 46,086
OVER 5 YR PERIOD
847
717
$ 49,06
Take Note: Wages have grown 15.5% over the last five years as well as the addition of 1,746 jobs.
$ 43,899
$ 40,141
48
179
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, & EMSI