a local surgeon greeted and welcomed me by saying,
of paradise surrounded by reality.” I know now that this is an accurate description of our entire area. Our diverse business climate, first-rate workforce, and exceptional education system all help create a culture where companies innovate and businesses succeed. Even as the rest of this country struggles with continuous challenges from the recession, the ICAD Group service territory posts positive numbers and shows steady growth. Through our existing industry, workforce services and business recruitment efforts, new job creation outpaced last year. Clients in our service territory saw 6% growth in employment and project 1,100 new, full time positions in the next three years. This year, Johnson County was among only 25 counties nationwide on CNN/Money Magazine’s “Where the Jobs Are 2010” list. Our area also received recognition by Forbes Magazine as one of the “Best Places for Business and Careers” in America. Working with multiple regional and state partners, we helped Whirlpool Corporation retain more than 1,600 jobs at their Amana facility and bring in a new product line from Indiana. As a result of this announcement, ICAD Group has started working with Whirlpool and their suppliers on workforce and other operational matters. While our region hasn’t been immune to financial privation and the protracted affects from the 2008 floods, we are seeing companies focusing on the future. ICAD Group has received new applications for our Shovel Ready Certification Program, the first program of its kind in the state, and we anticipate three pilot sites will receive certification this year. Additionally, 91% of area companies plan to introduce new products or services in the next two years. ICAD Group and its Board of Directors also took important steps to adopt a new twentyyear vision for economic development in our region. We continue to work regionally to create and share programs driven by research and innovation that transform knowledge into economic opportunity and we endeavor to develop this culture for success inherent to our area. The phrase “Extraordinary Opportunities in Unexpected Places” is printed on every project proposal, news release, investor statement and piece of mail sent by ICAD Group. It’s seen by anyone who visits our website or receives a business card. Looking forward, the meaning in each of these words is greater than ever before. On behalf of the Iowa City Area Development Group, thank you for supporting our organization. It has been a pleasure to serve as Board Chair these past two years and I am energized by the vision we’ve created for the next twenty years. ICAD Group is fortunate to represent such a unique community.
Ronald R. Reed, 2009 – 2010 Chair Iowa City Area Development Group The 2010 Annual Report of the Iowa City Area Development Group | 1