Capital Crossroads 2.0 kicks off with survey launch

Perry Beeman, Senior Staff Writer
Business Record


Atlanta-based consultant Market Street Services is back in town. Leaders are signing on to guide work on the 10 capitals. And Capital Crossroads 2.0, the area's latest visioning process, officially launches today.

You can fill out a related survey through June 20 to help guide the next five years of advancements in Central Iowa, within a 50-mile radius of Des Moines. There also will be focus groups and comprehensive discussions of how to make the area a better place for development, outdoor recreation, efficient government, and diverse cultural attractions.

Market Street will be interviewing leaders and performing quantitative research, said Bethany Wilcoxon, Capital Crossroads director. These are the folks who helped with the original Capital Crossroads effort and plans for the Walnut Street makeover.

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County’s new economic development plan

David Crowder
El Paso Inc.

El Paso County has a new economic development plan that sets five goals, the most controversial of which will likely be deciding what to do with the 75-year-old County Coliseum.

County Judge Veronica Escobar thinks the plan, prepared by consulting firm Market Street Services of Atlanta, may be the county’s first professionally prepared economic development plan.

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Commissioners move forward with separate economic development plan

Andrew J. Polk
kvia (abc affiliate)


El Paso County is looking to put a greater focus on economic development. County commissioners don't want to leave the economic development partnership with the city, but are looking to pursue additional goals, like rural development and heritage tourism.

"We're actually embarking on bigger things now, which is very exciting," said County Judge Veronica Escobar. "One of those things is economic development."

[...] El Paso County commissioners held a special meeting Monday focusing on a more detailed plan for economic development within county lines.

The meeting was one of the county's first efforts to work on its own economic development priorities. The meeting included Market Street Services, a firm that was hired by the county last year on a $25,000 contract to help with a plan.


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Commissioners to vote on economic development plan

Andrew J. Polk
kvia (abc affiliate)


El Paso County Commissioners have been increasing their focus on economic development around the county lately, part of a re-focused set of priorities. So far, it can be seen in recent public-private partnerships, activity around the Tornillo port of entry, and the recently approved downtown historic building survey.

[. . .] In line with that, county commissioners will hold a special meeting Monday morning to with the agenda set to "receive a presentation from Market Street Services regarding the development of an economic development strategic plan and policy for the County of El Paso."


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Loris Community Easter Egg Hunt set for March 20

By Samantha Norris

myhorrynews.com

Have you ever thought about joining the Loris Chamber of Commerce? According to a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street Services, when consumers know that a small business is a member of their local chamber of commerce, they are 44 percent more likely to think favorably of it and 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

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Columbus Net Zero Job Growth Addressed with Regional Prosperity Initiative

MercerWRBL

You’ve probably heard in recent weeks about Columbus having net zero job growth in the past thirty years. Mayor Teresa Tomlinson mentioned this issue in her state of the city address. So what is the city doing about it?

A good work force **is** the focus. In 2015 they entered in a relationship with Columbus State to create a new cyber security program to ensure a highly qualified workforce. When you talk about a thriving Columbus business – TSYS is always a part of the conversation. And like TSYS- city leaders want to focus on the people coming to Columbus. Bill Murphy with the Columbus Chamber says, “While there is a lot of good things going on – we saw opportunities to realign and refocus our energies so we’re firing on all cylinders.”

It’s called the Regional Prosperity Initiative. Chamber and community leaders will work together to find ways to counter the zero net job growth.


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Community Foundation rolls out new Q2030 Grants

By Jennifer DeWitt

Quad City Times

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend has launched a new grant program for area nonprofits whose programs contribute to the regional movement to make the Quad-Cities a cool, creative, connected and prosperous place.

Inspired by the Quad-Cities Q2030 Regional Action Plan, the new Q2030 Grants are designed to help nonprofits across eastern Iowa and western Illinois fund projects and programming that will help advance the regional vision.

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