Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Partnership receives $280,000 boost
For the Daily Gate City
WEST BURLINGTON - Southeast Iowa's Great River Region Partnership announced that it has received two grants totaling $280,000 for regional economic development initiatives.
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Partnership a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to assist Southeast Iowa with regional economic and talent development plans.
The Iowa Department of Economic Development also awarded the Partnership $30,000 in the form of a Collaborative Marketing Grant. Plans will be developed through the Partnership to build long term, sustainable growth in the region, which includes the counties of Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa.
Partnership Chair Dennis Hinkle underscores the importance of this funding for the Great River Region.
“This funding will allow us to continue our current initiatives and to expedite others. The fact that we're receiving funds from both the federal and state levels is testament to how committed the Partnership is and the progress we're making,” he said.
With the establishment of the Partnership in 2004, the area has taken a regional approach to economic development, identifying and implementing strategies to strengthen the economic vitality of the region. The Partnership is comprised of economic development groups of the four counties, the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, Iowa Wesleyan College and Southeastern Community College.
“Together, we're making the case that the Great River Region of Southeast Iowa is actively working together to improve the economic health of the entire region,” Hinkle said.
The Regional Innovation Grant proposal says that any funds awarded would allow the Partnership to maintain focus and build momentum by hiring of an executive director. Responsibilities of the proposed position would include implementing a work plan and budget, establishing and maintaining contact with partners, businesses, agencies, and regional organizations, coordinate the regional strategic economic development plan, and oversee the marketing and outreach efforts of the Partnership, including the improvement of the Partnership's Web site.
Staff at the Workforce Investment Act, part of the Iowa Workforce Center, identified the Regional Innovation Grant funding opportunity and submitted the winning grant. Linda Gidley, regional director, says the grant has a tremendous upside for building the workforce of the region.
“This grant gives us an opportunity to focus efforts on building the entire region. What helps one community helps the whole area. We have seen some highly talented people lose jobs through no fault of their own. The grant will help our region strategize for the future,” she said.
Since 2000, nearly 5,000 employees from more than 50 companies in the Great River Region have been permanently dislocated. Layoff announcements like those from General Electric, Hearth & Home Technologies, and International Paper have contributed to a regional manufacturing employment decrease of more than 20 percent.
In support of the marketing and development efforts, SCC, a Partnership member, continues to provide training and development opportunities for both dislocated workers and those wanting to advance in their careers. The college is working closely with area employers in addition to using the findings of all the regional and community studies to explore new program development. It is in the initial phase of expanding its welding program, including building a new, larger facility. It is also moving forward with a fledgling fire safety program, expanded nursing offerings and more.
SCC President Beverly Simone says that while not directly benefiting from the marketing dollars, the college plays a vital role in successful marketing of the Great River Region.
“The region has to have a skilled workforce. We can catch they eye of economic developers and site selectors but if we don't have the right mix of skilled workers to meet employers' needs, they'll scratch us right off the list,” Simone said.
Simone says that as the initiatives funded by these grant monies bear fruit in the form of expanded business, the college's task to prepare the region's workforce for those businesses becomes an even more critical element of the overall marketing plan.
“We have to be proactive,” she added.
The Collaborative Marketing Grant, secured by Partnership member Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, will allow the Partnership to carry out specific initiatives that exist within its already established regional marketing plan. The funds will support marketing campaigns and events targeting Midwest metro areas for tourism, and relocation of professionals and businesses. Partnerships also will be pursued with Amtrak, air service and other transportation connections to provide easy accessibility to the region. Targeted cities include Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and Indianapolis.
Regional Innovation Grants are drawn from National Emergency Grant funds to assist state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards, as well as their key partners, in the design and development of comprehensive and strategic regional plans focused on talent development that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century economy.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information on National Emergency Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/neg.
WEST BURLINGTON - Southeast Iowa's Great River Region Partnership announced that it has received two grants totaling $280,000 for regional economic development initiatives.
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Partnership a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to assist Southeast Iowa with regional economic and talent development plans.
The Iowa Department of Economic Development also awarded the Partnership $30,000 in the form of a Collaborative Marketing Grant. Plans will be developed through the Partnership to build long term, sustainable growth in the region, which includes the counties of Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa.
Partnership Chair Dennis Hinkle underscores the importance of this funding for the Great River Region.
“This funding will allow us to continue our current initiatives and to expedite others. The fact that we're receiving funds from both the federal and state levels is testament to how committed the Partnership is and the progress we're making,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT |
“Together, we're making the case that the Great River Region of Southeast Iowa is actively working together to improve the economic health of the entire region,” Hinkle said.
The Regional Innovation Grant proposal says that any funds awarded would allow the Partnership to maintain focus and build momentum by hiring of an executive director. Responsibilities of the proposed position would include implementing a work plan and budget, establishing and maintaining contact with partners, businesses, agencies, and regional organizations, coordinate the regional strategic economic development plan, and oversee the marketing and outreach efforts of the Partnership, including the improvement of the Partnership's Web site.
Staff at the Workforce Investment Act, part of the Iowa Workforce Center, identified the Regional Innovation Grant funding opportunity and submitted the winning grant. Linda Gidley, regional director, says the grant has a tremendous upside for building the workforce of the region.
“This grant gives us an opportunity to focus efforts on building the entire region. What helps one community helps the whole area. We have seen some highly talented people lose jobs through no fault of their own. The grant will help our region strategize for the future,” she said.
Since 2000, nearly 5,000 employees from more than 50 companies in the Great River Region have been permanently dislocated. Layoff announcements like those from General Electric, Hearth & Home Technologies, and International Paper have contributed to a regional manufacturing employment decrease of more than 20 percent.
In support of the marketing and development efforts, SCC, a Partnership member, continues to provide training and development opportunities for both dislocated workers and those wanting to advance in their careers. The college is working closely with area employers in addition to using the findings of all the regional and community studies to explore new program development. It is in the initial phase of expanding its welding program, including building a new, larger facility. It is also moving forward with a fledgling fire safety program, expanded nursing offerings and more.
SCC President Beverly Simone says that while not directly benefiting from the marketing dollars, the college plays a vital role in successful marketing of the Great River Region.
“The region has to have a skilled workforce. We can catch they eye of economic developers and site selectors but if we don't have the right mix of skilled workers to meet employers' needs, they'll scratch us right off the list,” Simone said.
Simone says that as the initiatives funded by these grant monies bear fruit in the form of expanded business, the college's task to prepare the region's workforce for those businesses becomes an even more critical element of the overall marketing plan.
“We have to be proactive,” she added.
The Collaborative Marketing Grant, secured by Partnership member Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission, will allow the Partnership to carry out specific initiatives that exist within its already established regional marketing plan. The funds will support marketing campaigns and events targeting Midwest metro areas for tourism, and relocation of professionals and businesses. Partnerships also will be pursued with Amtrak, air service and other transportation connections to provide easy accessibility to the region. Targeted cities include Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and Indianapolis.
Regional Innovation Grants are drawn from National Emergency Grant funds to assist state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards, as well as their key partners, in the design and development of comprehensive and strategic regional plans focused on talent development that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century economy.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information on National Emergency Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/neg.
 |
||
| Cirinna: Consider raising emergency management rate |
Reader Comments
| Please log in or create an account by filling out the form on the right. | |
