By Colin Woodward
Politico.com
The capital of Iowa has long had a reputation as one of the least hip, least interesting and least dynamic cities in the Western world, a dull insurance town set amid the unending corn fields of flyover country, a place Minneapolis looks down on and the young and ambitious flee as soon as they graduate. “Usually you are born here or marry into here or get transferred here,” says local entrepreneur Mike Draper. “Not many people come to chase their dreams. If they did, you’d be like, ‘What, you want to be an actuary?’”
But unbeknownst to many outside the Midwest, over the past 15 years Des Moines has transformed into one of the richest, most vibrant, and, yes, hip cities in the country, where the local arts scene, entrepreneurial startups and established corporate employers are all thriving.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tulsa Chamber announces results for Tulsa's Future II economic development program
By Casey Smith
Tulsa World
The Tulsa Regional Chamber recently concluded the second generation of its long-term economic development program, Tulsa’s Future, and results include goal-surpassing job creation and capital investment in northeast Oklahoma.
Since 2011, 28,814 jobs have been announced through the Tulsa’s Future II program, according to the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
Of those new jobs, 15,355 met the program’s target of paying an annual salary of $50,000 or greater. Due to the success of Tulsa’s Future II, during 2013 the initial goal of creating 10,000 high-wage jobs for the program’s five-year term was increased to 15,000 jobs that pay $50,000 or more.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Tulsa World
The Tulsa Regional Chamber recently concluded the second generation of its long-term economic development program, Tulsa’s Future, and results include goal-surpassing job creation and capital investment in northeast Oklahoma.
Since 2011, 28,814 jobs have been announced through the Tulsa’s Future II program, according to the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
Of those new jobs, 15,355 met the program’s target of paying an annual salary of $50,000 or greater. Due to the success of Tulsa’s Future II, during 2013 the initial goal of creating 10,000 high-wage jobs for the program’s five-year term was increased to 15,000 jobs that pay $50,000 or more.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Deere CEO: Q-C needs new regional vision
By Jennifer DeWitt
Quad-City Business Journal
With competition for jobs, talent and company investments at every corner of the globe, the Quad-Cities must unite behind a vision that will transform and distinguish the region as a cool, creative, prosperous and connected place.
That was the message Thursday from Deere & Co.'s chairman and CEO Sam Allen, the keynote speaker at the 2015 Quad-Cities Regional Vision Summit. Allen, who leads the Quad-Cities' largest single employer, issued a call to action to more than 200 community stakeholders, urging them to take action and commit to supporting the new regional vision.
The meeting, held at the iWireless Center, Moline, also unveiled the regional vision plan's new name — Q2030: A Regional Action Plan.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Quad-City Business Journal
With competition for jobs, talent and company investments at every corner of the globe, the Quad-Cities must unite behind a vision that will transform and distinguish the region as a cool, creative, prosperous and connected place.
That was the message Thursday from Deere & Co.'s chairman and CEO Sam Allen, the keynote speaker at the 2015 Quad-Cities Regional Vision Summit. Allen, who leads the Quad-Cities' largest single employer, issued a call to action to more than 200 community stakeholders, urging them to take action and commit to supporting the new regional vision.
The meeting, held at the iWireless Center, Moline, also unveiled the regional vision plan's new name — Q2030: A Regional Action Plan.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Study: Talent capacity is biggest issue
By Rob Swenson
Sioux Falls Business Journal
A study recently conducted for Forward Sioux Falls identified workforce development as the highest priority challenge facing the local economy.
The Sioux Falls area economy and population are growing economically at levels greater than state and national averages. However, if the availability and skill levels of workers are not enhanced, continued growth might not be sustainable, according to the study.
Forward Sioux Falls is a community-development program created and jointly administered by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. To explore workforce challenges and help develop a course of action, Forward Sioux Falls engaged Market Street Services to assess the area’s competitive position and workforce training needs.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Sioux Falls Business Journal
A study recently conducted for Forward Sioux Falls identified workforce development as the highest priority challenge facing the local economy.
The Sioux Falls area economy and population are growing economically at levels greater than state and national averages. However, if the availability and skill levels of workers are not enhanced, continued growth might not be sustainable, according to the study.
Forward Sioux Falls is a community-development program created and jointly administered by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. To explore workforce challenges and help develop a course of action, Forward Sioux Falls engaged Market Street Services to assess the area’s competitive position and workforce training needs.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Did Birmingham follow its Blueprint?
By Brent Goodwin and Ty West
Birmingham Business Journal
Five years ago, business and community leaders from around metro Birmingham gathered at Railroad Park for a day they hoped would change the region forever.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Birmingham Business Journal
Five years ago, business and community leaders from around metro Birmingham gathered at Railroad Park for a day they hoped would change the region forever.
With signs proudly declaring that the Magic City was open for business, Birmingham Business Alliance leaders and elected officials rolled out Blueprint Birmingham -- a five-year strategic plan for the metro area.
The plan aimed to help metro Birmingham shed its longtime image as the city of perpetual promise, better compete with regional peers and, ultimately, create more jobs.
More than $22 million was raised for the plan, crafted by Market Street -- an Atlanta-based economic development firm that had worked on strategic plans for more than 100 areas. Birmingham's top power brokers, from mayors to high-level corporate executives, signed on.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
New University of Iowa president to help lead Creative Corridor 'vision strategy'
Business Record
University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld has agreed to co-chairing the Iowa's Creative Corridor work on a five-year action plan, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. Harreld agreed to join Rockwell Collins Inc. CEO Kelly Ortberg and U.S. Bank regional President Nancy Kasparek to lead the committee, which is working with Atlanta-based Market Street Services. Market Street Services is the consulting group that helped Des Moines put together the Capital Crossroads vision plan. Iowa City Chamber President Nancy Quellhorst said UI's involvement will help in developing a global strategy for the region.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld has agreed to co-chairing the Iowa's Creative Corridor work on a five-year action plan, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. Harreld agreed to join Rockwell Collins Inc. CEO Kelly Ortberg and U.S. Bank regional President Nancy Kasparek to lead the committee, which is working with Atlanta-based Market Street Services. Market Street Services is the consulting group that helped Des Moines put together the Capital Crossroads vision plan. Iowa City Chamber President Nancy Quellhorst said UI's involvement will help in developing a global strategy for the region.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
UI president to tri-chair Creative Corridor strategy
By Vanessa Miller
The Gazette
Nearly four years after branding the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area as “Iowa’s Creative Corridor,” economic leaders across Eastern Iowa are looking to launch a “vision strategy” for the region aimed at creating an actionable five-year plan.
[. . .]
“While we have made progress with our regional brand, we must develop a regional economic development strategy as our common denominator.”
To that end, Baird said, “We are ready to launch an actionable, consensus-based, five-year vision for Iowa’s Creative Corridor.” The group is using Atlanta-based consultant Market Street Services Inc. for the project.
To read the full article click here. If it has been removed please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.
The Gazette
Nearly four years after branding the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area as “Iowa’s Creative Corridor,” economic leaders across Eastern Iowa are looking to launch a “vision strategy” for the region aimed at creating an actionable five-year plan.
[. . .]
“While we have made progress with our regional brand, we must develop a regional economic development strategy as our common denominator.”
To that end, Baird said, “We are ready to launch an actionable, consensus-based, five-year vision for Iowa’s Creative Corridor.” The group is using Atlanta-based consultant Market Street Services Inc. for the project.
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