By the time President Obama signed the major disaster declaration for Tama County, Iowa (6 weeks after of the July 11, 2011 straight-line wind storm hit) insurance companies had already paid out a record $6+ million into our local economy. Now, three months later, many stakeholders continue to work on ways to rebuild better, stronger [...]
Author Archives | Lindi Roelofse, applied economist
Quarterly Newsletter: How is the demand on workers’ skills changing in Tama County, Iowa?
In the decade ending 2018 there will be 47 million job openings. Nearly half will require an associate’s degree. The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. One year ago Tama County employers emerging from the recession spoke up and articulated their need for skilled workers. They were very clear on the necessary skills that [...]
EDIES 2011 Update: Forget that magic bullet. Show me the face of sustainable economic development in the real world
Every year Tama County Economic Development features 24 richly diverse businesses, nonprofits, local government agencies, workers, and residents who have come up with innovative ways to add value to the economy. We do this not only to celebrate our local culture of innovation that adds value and grows the economy, but also to increase exposure [...]
Entrepreneurship Update: 23 of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. are 60 minutes from Tama County, Iowa
As the economy stands today, Tama County Economic Development is working with dozens of seriously vested companies preparing to invest $730+ million into our local economy over the next few weeks, months, years. We work hard for them knowing full well many millions may not materialize for one reason or another. Similarly we have also [...]
Green Update: Traer Municipal Utilities breaks ground in clean tech energy solutions
In spite of the fact that Iowa has the lowest overall business utility rates, taxes, real estate costs, and wages in the nation (1), local leaders in Traer, Iowa continue to look out for our best possible, probable and preferred future economic landscape. They recognize the opportunity of leveraging assets already in place since the state [...]
Workforce Update: Who are we creating jobs for in Tama County?
Even with Tama County Iowa’s 6.2% unemployment standing in sharp contrast to the national 9.1% unemployment, most people seem to be in agreement that job creation is a key objective in our current local economy. But what may not get as much attention is the next logical question: who are we creating jobs for? On [...]
Global Update: Where in the world does Tama County, Iowa stand on international relations?
“After I graduated from school in Tama, I left my hometown and ultimately went to work for a big international corporation. As a youngster I did not realize how lucky I was to learn emerged in Tama County’s rich diversity with classmates from Meskwaki, immigrant kids from Mexico etc. Now I know it gave me [...]
Historic Preservation Update: Historians from all over the state spending more time in Tama County, Iowa
This weekend thousands of people traveled to Tama County, Iowa to experience a friendship tradition that is almost 100 years old: The Meskwaki Powwow. But Tama County is just getting warmed up for the upcoming list of historic preservation events to follow over the next few weeks. Tama County Historic Preservation will also be extending a [...]
Entrepreneurship Update: Second chance this year to win a $5,000 grant (and more) to grow your business
During the first half of 2011, Tama County businesses got an opportunity to compete for a $5,000 grant through the Dream Big Grow Here Cedar Valley competition. Three of our businesses successfully qualified and shared their dream for how they envision growing with access to additional capital. And though a business from another county won [...]
Storm Update: Governor Branstad makes commitment to Tama County and request of President Obama to do the same
Three weeks after the storm, Tama County continues to work on finding healthy long-term solutions to the change in the economic and physical landscape brought on by the July 11, 2011 Derecho storm. We appreciate Governor Branstad’s request of President Obama to declare Tama County in addition to Story, Marshall and Benton Counties a federal [...]
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Heath Kellogg is named Tama County Economic Development Director
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And the Tama County EDIE Award Winners are…
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2011 EDIES Story 24 of 24: Response to the once in a 1,000 Year Wind Storm
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2011 EDIES Story 23 of 24: Groundbreaking Utilities Partnership Still Tastes Great in Lincoln
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2011 EDIES Story 22 of 24: Many Hands Make Emergency Generator Work in Garwin
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Executive Director moves forward
- Entrepreneurship Update: Empowering our young people
- Garwin Update: Boil advisory in effect due to water main break in construction zone
- Late Summer Fun!
- General Update: Annual Report to the 28E public partners have been completed
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billkard: I really liked this post. The information couldn't…
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Lindi Roelofse, applied economist: Thank you for your kind words, Jim, Michelle and M…
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Mary Ann Gregory: Dear Lindi, You have been a real treasure for Tam…
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Michele Anderson: Best wishes to you, Lindi, as you pursue new endea…
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Jim Tekippe: Lindi- I wish you the very best and I thank you …
