Corridor logo
February 2013
The Corridor
Greetings!  

It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the loss of Craig Evert, husband of Kathy Evert, our President and CEO. He was an Assistant Professor of Wind Energy and Turbine Technology at Iowa Lakes Community College. He passed away Tuesday, February 12, at the age of 47. A scholarship fund has been established in his name at the college. It will be a lasting legacy for future students, and a reminder of his passion for the wind industry. To participate in the fund, send memorials to the Evert family at 206 28th Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360. Craig will be greatly missed, and we are all better people for having known him.

 
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Dick Drahota, Chair of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, has appointed a nominating committee to develop a slate of candidates to fill expired seats on the Corridor Board of Directors. Member Investors are invited to submit names to the committee of possible candidates for nomination to the Board. Each candidate must be an active member in good standing and must have agreed to accept the responsibility of director. Directors shall be elected to three-year terms, and shall be eligible to serve no more than two consecutive terms. A list of active members can be found on the Corridor website. Please email nominations to Kathy Evert, CEO and President of the Iowa Lakes Corridor.  
 
We are still working to reach our goal of making this a Skilled Iowa Region. We thank all of the businesses that have signed up to be a Skilled Iowa Business. If your company has yet to sign up, we encourage you to do so. There is no cost involved, and your only requirements are to recommend the National Career Readiness Certificate in hiring and/or promotion practices for one or more positions in your organization. You must also give permission to use your organizations name in public awareness efforts to promote the NCRC. You can sign up for Skilled Iowa here. Return the form to us via email, fax (712-580-3472) or mail to Iowa Lakes Corridor, 520 2nd Ave East Suite 2, Spencer, IA 51301.  

We would like to welcome our newest investor, Carlson Sanderson Real Estate of Spirit Lake. Thank you to all of our investors for your continued support of economic development.

 

Internship programs available
Spencer Area Jobs Trust Internship Program

Finding funding to support an internship program can be an obstacle for some businesses and organizations. Luckily, Clay County employers can turn to the Student Internship Program established by Spencer Area Jobs Trust. The program provides support and financial resources to employers with internship programs. The purpose of the program is to give students a significant learning experience while helping employers recruit skilled workers.

Modeled from the Iowa Internship Program, which links students from Iowa schools to internships, the Clay County program will accept students from any university or college, including community colleges. To be eligible for the state program, the business must be in the field of advanced manufacturing, biosciences or information technology. The Clay County program is open to businesses in any industry.

"Internships are a great way to introduce students to a company and to the region," said Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. "Internships help build the workforce pipeline that is critical for the future and we encourage all employers to consider offering internships. The Spencer Area Jobs Trust funds this program to assist existing employers, to promote the community and to attract or bring back young people if the internship leads to full-time employment."

 

The program started in 2010. There was a significant increase in involvement from the first to second year. In 2010, two employers participated with three interns; in 2011, seven companies participated with 10 interns. In 2012, four employers participated with four interns. Three internships have resulted in permanent hires.

Students who are within two years of graduation are eligible for the program. Two plans are available: a semester term and a summer term. The semester term, which does not have to run parallel with a school semester, must last at least 14 weeks, and the intern must work no less than 10 hours per week. The summer program must last at least eight weeks with the student working an average of 30 hours per week.

 

Students that are U.S. Citizens from any college or university, including community college, are eligible. Eligible employers include those in Clay County that are for-profit employers, publicly traded, private, employee owned, and family owned businesses. Ineligible employers include not-for-profit organizations and businesses and City, State and Federal employers.

Businesses are awarded up to $3,000 per internship, and can apply for a maximum of three interns per fiscal year. The award amount allowable will be one dollar for every dollar paid by the business to the intern. For example, if the student earns $4,000 during the internship, the employer will fund $2,000, and the Jobs Trust will reimburse the company $2,000. Interns must be paid a minimum of $14.82, which is the average regional wage for Clay County.

Clay County employers that wish to participate in the Student Internship Program can contact the Iowa Lakes Corridor office at 712-264-3474. The Jobs Trust will review each application as received; applications should be submitted no later than April 12. Employers are encouraged to apply to the Iowa Student Internship Program first, if eligible. The Iowa Student Internship Program information is available online.

 

 

Skilled Iowa Internship Program
People who collecte unemployment insurance participate in Skilled Iowa Internship opportunities as a way to build their skills while they look for a permanent job. This Iowa Workforce Development sponsored program links job seekers with firms looking to hire and willing to provide job-skills training. The unemployed workers work at the patricipating company 24 hours a week for up to eight weeks while receiving their unemployment benefits. All workers are prescreened and matched with employer needs.

How do Iowa Employers benefit?
1. Screened, eligible workers for open positions
2. Available to all Iowa businesses
3. Lower training expense with lower risk

How do workers benefit?
1. Acquire new skills and current work history
2. Leads to certified skills
3. Provides a full-time job upon successful completion

Employers wishing to participate in the Skilled Iowa Internship Program can find more information here
FastTrac NewVenture Entrepreneur Training Course

There is still time to sign up for the Kaufman FastTrac NewVenture™ entrepreneurial training course! We are again sponsoring this course, beginning Tuesday, February 26. It will be held every Tuesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. through April 30, at Emerald Hills Golf Course. This program is best-suited for entrepreneurs in their early stages of business development. It provides the tools to develop a business concept, determine the viability of the business concept, and outline the critical steps to a successful business launch.

 

To register for the upcoming course, contact the Iowa Lakes Corridor office at 712-264-3474 or visit www.lakescorridor.com. Hard copies are available in the Corridor office, 520 2nd Avenue East Suite 2 in Spencer. The cost for the 30-hour program is $199 and includes all materials, a business coach, and guest speakers at each session. The program will be facilitated by Brian Dalziel, senior vice president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor. Registrations can also be downloaded here

 

Corridor Job Center
There are a number of employment opportunities throughout the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. We are fortunate to have employers of all types and sizes in our communities. With the excellent highways, commuting to and from work can be done with ease. The average commute within the region is 22 miles one way and most individuals work within the same county where they reside. 

Corridor staff have been working to improve the Job Center page of the website. Here job seekers will find postings about available jobs in the region. Businesses that are hiring and would like job postings listed on the website can contact Joanne

We also have a page for internships in the region. If your company has internship opportunities, please contact Joanne and we will post your information. Internships are a great way to show students the potential careers they could have in the Corridor region. 
Club E
Club E, the Corridor's premier networking group, meets the first Monday of every month from 5-7 p.m. The event is held at a different entrepreneur's business each month. Club E is where entrepreneurs, inventors and business owners gather to share best practices, learn about new technologies, identify new funding sources and have a great time. 

The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 4. Contact the Corridor, and watch our Facebook posts, for details on location. 
Iowa Business Plan Competition

John Pappajohn, Iowa's premier venture capitalist, has announced the launch of the 2013 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. This is the eighth annual business plan competition for Iowa sponsored by Pappajohn. Since 2006, more than $350,000 in prizes has been awarded to start-ups across the state. This year, a total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three submitted business plans: $25,000 for first prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third. 

 

The competition is designed to stimulate business development and provide support for outstanding business plans. The John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is open to new and start-up businesses (in business for less than four years). 

 

The first round of the business plan competition will take place between March 1 and April 30. During this time, businesses are invited to submit business information via a secure online program called Gust. A link to Gust is available at here

 

In May, selected companies will be contacted and invited to submit full business plans 

through Gust. The competition will then be narrowed to seven to 10 companies to present to judges in August. The winners will be recognized at a special awards luncheon on Sept. 26 in Des Moines.

 

Assistance with business plan entries is available at the Iowa John Pappajohn 

Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa; the Small Business Development Centers throughout the state; and the business accelerators in Des Moines, Red Oak, Spencer, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Mason City.

 

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers provide entrepreneurial education and business support, partnering with agencies like the Small Business Development Center, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Entrepreneurial Development Centers and local entrepreneurs to assist with funding and other business needs.

 

Rules, eligibility, timelines assistance and additional information are available at the competition website, www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

Are you a "Good Life Iowa" Business?
In the Iowa Lakes Corridor region, it is easy to live the good life with good jobs, amenities and people that the area has to offer year around. Not every organization or every individual can say they wake up every morning living what they love doing. Can you say that about yourself, your life, or your business? If you are up for the challenge, please submit a short explanation as to why you deserve to be showcased in The Good Life Iowa Campaign sponsored by The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.  Benefits of being acknowledged as a "Good Life Iowa" business include:  1. ) free advertising and publicity for your business via print, website or billboards and  2.)  recognition at the Iowa Lakes Corridor annual meeting in June. We would love hearing your story and seeing you "living what you love doing." 

For information on how to become a Good Life Iowa business, visit our website.
Kudos!
Upcoming Events
Buena Vista University Theatre
was awarded three certificate of merit awards by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region Five Festival. Tyler Klobassa wont he awards for his work in BVU Theatre productions in 2012. 

The Clay County Regional Events Center received the 2012 Facilities and Destinations Prime Site Award for venue excellence by Facilities Media Group.

Parks Marina was awarded the 2012 Best in Class Award for Best Events by Boating Industry Magazine. Parks Marina was cited for events at the Barefoot Bar and Okoboji Boat Works, and for expanding events at the Sioux Falls location. Parks Marina was also named the #1 Crownline Dealer in North America and the #4 Cobalt Dealer in the world. 

Dickinson County News received 21 awards and was named the top mid-sized weekly newspaper at the Iowa Newspaper Association Convention and Trade Show. The Spencer Daily Reporter received eight awards, and placed in the top five in the Small Dailies category. The Storm Lake Pilot Tribune received 14 awards. 
Improve Your Web Presence
Websites, social media, Chamber website. How can these help your business? Morphew Studios and the Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce will show you how. 

This free seminar will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, at the Esthevrville Public Library Community Room. 
 
From better websites to social media, this seminar will look at options and answer questions to help guide you and your business. Anyone is welcome to attend this free event. Numbers are limited, so please indicate your interest in the seminar by calling the Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-362-3541.

 

Discover Profitability through Innovation

Innovation is a key to success in manufacturing and business today. Find out how innovation is driving sustainable success in local manufacturers and how CIRAS and Corn Belt Power can assist you in implementing new innovative processes, developing new markets and products, and minimizing waste streams in your business. 

 

Two sessions will be held:
Tuesday, March 5, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer
Wednesday, March 6, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Par Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls.

Cost is $100 per person. For more information, contact Mark Reinig at 515-231-4150 or send him an email. Click here to register. 

 

Entrepreneurial Development Endowment Fund with the Okoboji Foundation Family of Funds    
The Corridor has created an Entrepreneurial Development Endowment Fund within the Okoboji Foundation Family of Funds. This fund gives us the ability to offer our donors the Endow Iowa Tax Credit available only through a qualified community foundation.

With a contribution to this fund, taxpayers may be eligible to receive a 25% Iowa Tax Credit in addition to normal federal charitable income tax deductions for certain charitable gifts. This is an exciting program that benefits both donors and the Corridor. 

Gifts to the Iowa Lakes Corridor Entrepreneurial Development Fund allow the Corridor to use your charitable contribution strategically in response tot he most pressing entrepreneurial and economic development issues. Your contribution continues to support economic growth and development during and after your lifetime.

More information, as well as a contribution and pledge form, can be found here . You can also make a donation on the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines' website.


If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed

If in terms of ten years, plant trees
If in terms of 100 years, teach the people
-Confucius

Sincerely,

Iowa Lakes Corridor Staff
Kathy Evert
Brian Dalziel
Joanne Follon
Samantha Miller

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520 2nd Avenue East Suite 2, Spencer, IA 51301   712-264-3474