The FEBRUARY 2016 GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER VOL. 96 NO. 2 Partnership Kay Sackville Breuer Vice President PRESIDENT & CEO’S LETTER 319-208-0041 [email protected] Belinda Colwell Administrative Assistant 319-208-0042 GOT ISSUES? [email protected] Steve Frevert by Jason Hutcheson Downtown Partners, Inc. Exec. Dir. 319-208-0056 [email protected] The new legislative season is upon us, and your government relations team at the Partnership is keeping its eye on a number of issues at the Jason Hutcheson state level. There are certainly tensions between some members of the President & CEO legislature and the executive branch over a couple of items that may 319-208-0043 [email protected] prove to be challenging. The first is a veto last summer by Governor Branstad of $55 million worth Sherri Krause Finance Manager of supplemental education funding approved in the final hours of the 2015 319-208-0044 session. [email protected] The second is an overhaul (led by the executive branch) of the Brenda Levitt state’s Medicaid system and the conversion of management to private Econ. Development Research Coordinator 319-208-0047 companies. [email protected] Another topic, water quality, has been fueled by the lawsuit filed by the Des Moines Waterworks Julie Meloan Bell against three counties in Iowa for allegedly not controlling nitrate runoff by agricultural interests. Welcome Center Coordinator The estimated costs of improving water quality throughout the state run anywhere from $4-6 billion, 319-752-8731 [email protected] essentially equal to an entire year’s operating budget. There are very strong philosophical divides on where the burden of that cost should be placed. Rachel Lindeen Dir. Member Services Regardless of your view on the noted services, most can agree that education, medical care, and clean 319-208-0046 water are emotionally charged topics. Out of 150 legislators, there are at least 150 differing views on [email protected] conquering the challenging issues of our day. It promises be an interesting session. Kristi Ray Although nothing is certain, it is unlikely that there will be movement on a number of issues monitored Programs & Events and encouraged by the Partnership team, including: simplifying and reducing Iowa’s marginal 319-208-0050 income tax rates, increasing the cap on housing tax credits for new housing construction, or adding [email protected] requirements for recipients of social assistance programs. Chelsea Tolle We are also unlikely to see an adjustment to Iowa’s minimum wage law - something several members Convention & Visitors Bureau Exec. Dir. 319-208-0045 are watching closely. [email protected] Although the Partnership’s government relations team monitors a number of issues, it is important David Toyer that you engage in the legislative process. There are two great opportunities for you to take part in the Dir. of Economic Development month of February. The Chambers of Commerce in Southeast Iowa lead a regional messaging event 319-208-0053 in Des Moines called Great River Region Days. This year, the event will be on February 9 and 10 with [email protected] a cost of $125. Although the room block has expired, you still have a couple of days to register (contact Brenda Wischmeier me directly) if you would like to join us. There will be a number of good topics discussed which you Director of Marketing might find interesting, along with a reception including the Lt. Governor as a special guest. 319-208-0040 [email protected] In addition, the next Eggs & Issues event is on February 20 at 7:30 am in the Partnership offices. This event has a very relaxed atmosphere (jeans are perfectly acceptable!) and provides you with an SUBSCRIPTIONS: Price is $24, which is included opportunity to listen to and ask questions of our three area legislators. Even if you aren’t comfortable in annual events fees. Non-members: $3 per issue. Periodicals postage paid at Burlington, Iowa. asking a question, just coming to listen can help you learn much about the lawmaking process. If you POSTMASTER: The Partnership is publishedmonthly would like to attend, please RSVP to Belinda Colwell. by the Greater Burlington Partnership 610 North Fourth Street, Suite 200, Burlington, Iowa 52601. POSTMASTER send address changes to Greater Finally, the full policy and position statements of your Chamber of Commerce are listed on the Burlington Partnership (USPS 001-692) 610 North Partnership’s website. Just click the button on the homepage for the complete list. Fourth Street, Suite 200, Burlington, Iowa 52601 page 2 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 The FEBRUARY 2016 GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER VOL. 96 NO. 2 Partnership ON THE COVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors for the Economic Development Division of the Partnership (also known as Grow Greater Burlington) is responsible for overseeing progress towards the mission of adding and retaining jobs, enhancing the tax base, attracting private capital investment to the community and continuously improving the Left to Right: Steve Shupp, Alliant Energy; Dan Gifford, City of business climate throughout Des Moines County. West Burlington; Gary Hoyer, Great River Entertainment; Michael Ash, Southeastern Community College; John Manley, Winegard An important role of the Board of Directors has been guiding the Company; Jerry Krause, Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust and development of Flint Ridge Business Park and four shell buildings. Charles L. Walsh, Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust The organization’s ownership of this shovel-ready land and speculative development of shell buildings have created numerous opportunities Not Pictured: Matt Shinn, Two Rivers Bank & Trust; Mark to attract new investment in Des Moines County, including companies Richardson, Great River Medical Center; Donna Mann, Mann’s like Alfagomma, Borghi and Cobo. Flint Ridge Business Park also McDonalds; Craig Upton, KPI Concepts; Jerry Sherwood, The proved to be a key factor in attracting Silgan Containers Manufacturing Sherwood Company; Ken Reif, Valley Distribution; Steve Titus, Corporation, whose $100+ million investment in building a 400,000+ Iowa Wesleyan College; Ron Massner, SG Construction; Jim Leiting, square foot state of the art manufacturing facility will create 120 high Big River Resources; Tom Broeker, Des Moines County Supervisor paying jobs. and Shane McCampbell, City of Burlington. Funding for the Economic Development Division comes from the Southeast Iowa Regional Riverboat Commission as well as investments from a multi-year pledge campaign. Members of the Board of Directors are elected by the companies and individuals who’ve invested in the Partnering for the Future II five year strategy. #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 3 AREA ATTRACTIONS FEATURED ON TELEVISION The Convention & Visitors Bureau recently worked with an Iowa film company producing a television series on travel in Iowa titled Iowa Journeys. Greater Burlington’s episode features many of the local hot spots including Snake Alley, Crapo Park, Uptown Ivy, PZAZZ! Entertainment Complex, Port of Burlington, and many other community attractions. The episode first debuted January 24 and will air again on February 21. Check your local listings for air times. Iowa Journeys will air in the following networks: • KCAU-TV(ABC) Sioux City • TV-17 (Outdoors) Chicago • KGCW-TV (CW) Quad Cities • WOI-TV(ABC) Des Moines • KCRG 9.2(ABC) Cedar Rapids/ • KIMT-TV(CBS) Mason City/ Waterloo Albert Lee/Austin/Rochester MEET KRISTI The Greater Burlington Partnership is pleased to announce that Kristi Ray, a seasoned veteran of the Chamber of Commerce industry, joined the Partnership team in January. Kristi is in charge of a number of initiatives including new member recruitment, sponsorship sales, and government relations, as well as a number of events in Downtown Burlington. She will also EGGS & ISSUES spearhead the annual business plan competition. “I am pleased to have Kristi join our team,” said February 20, 7:30 am Jason Hutcheson. “Her personality is a good $5 Breakfast and Legislative Insight. Breakfast is ready at 7:15 am fit for our office, and I think our members will RSVP to Belinda Colwell by February 19. appreciate the experiences she brings from other communities.” Top Issues: “I am very excited to join the Partnership,” Workforce, Transportation, Economic Development and Education said Kristi. “I am so impressed with the Who’s Invited: accomplishments of the volunteers, leadership Eggs & Issues is a benefit of membership, and we encourage all team and the staff. It will be a true honor to members to attend. work for this 5-star accredited organization.” During her career, Kristi has served in a number Mark Your Calendars: of roles including Executive Vice President March 19 and April 16 7:30 am @ Greater Burlington Partnership of the Columbia, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Director of Chamber Relations for the statewide Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and also as the President of Chambers of Sponsored by Commerce in both Cedar Falls, Iowa and Kirksville, Missouri. page 4 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 DES MOINES COUNTY ANNOUNCED AS A HOME BASE IOWA COMMUNITY On January 19 at Great River Medical Center a ceremony was held