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 [...]
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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 [...]
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 [...]
U.S. Highway 30 Update: Removing the detour signs and directing new economic potential into Tama County
1.2 Million people live within a 1 hour driving radius of Tama County, including some of Iowa’s biggest cities. But in spite of the fact that the shortest distance to reach Des Moines from Cedar Rapids or Waterloo is through Tama County, millions of travelers have been driving a detour…but that is all changing. In [...]
Storm Update: How are business opportunities and our job market impacted by the 7/11/11 Derecho
Tama County, Iowa has been holding strong on a $13.42 average hourly wage through the recession, and rebounded to a 6.1% unemployment before the straight-line storm hit. Though this is very comparable to the State’s 6.0% unemployment, (and extremely favorable compared to the national 9.1% unemployment) wages are still significantly lower in Tama County than [...]
Strategy Update: Would you rather add [20] $10/hour jobs, or [10] $20/hour jobs to our economy tomorrow?
Henry Ford made the joke, if he asked the community in the 1900′s what do you need to be more productive in the 2000′s, they would have answered: “faster horses.” We know today that we can’t grow the economy by just doing more of the same of what we did 10, 20, 30 years ago. [...]
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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 …
