Date:
9/16/2008
Title:
Six Counties Team to Accelerate Growth
(September,16), 2008 – Regional economic development leaders in Cherokee, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux counties today presented a new collaborative marketing and sales strategy to attract, retain and grow business investment and workforce to the six-county region. Leaders also displayed the region’s web site and position-driven theme line – Northwest Iowa, Beyond Expectations. Over 100 private leaders and public officials attended the event held at Northwest Iowa Community College. Dr. Bill Giddings, President, of Northwest Iowa Community College provided opening remarks.
“The regional marketing and sales strategy will build upon our local economic development successes and leverage the combined strengths and assets to accelerate growth,” said Kiana Johnson, Chair of Northwest Iowa Development and Executive Director of the O’Brien County Economic Development Corporation. “The Northwest Iowa Region is a highly competitive business location product. Our objective is to aggressively market the region as a vibrant Midwest logistics and distribution center strategically connected to national markets, skilled workers and business resources. Promoting Northwest Iowa and the Highway 60 Expressway as a key Midwest transportation corridor will be an integral part of our product sales messaging.”
The region will target key business sectors for growth and development: advanced manufacturing and wind energy, bio-production and processing, and logistics/distribution/wholesale trade. According to Gary Tucker, Immediate Past Chair, and Executive Director, Plymouth County Economic Development , “Regional leaders will utilize a comprehensive, integrated approach to marketing and selling Northwest Iowa to target businesses including direct marketing, sales trips, trade shows, advertising and media relations. Our regional website–www.northwestiowa.org– serves as a 24/7 site location information clearinghouse providing access to a wealth of data and information on regional location opportunities including a searchable database of available buildings and sites.”
The collaborative marketing strategy is funded by public and private sources including economic development organizations and utilities serving the area, Northwest Iowa Community College and a three-year regional marketing grant awarded by the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Northwest Iowa’s three-year goal is to create a positive business image of the Region and generate 60 new business locations, expansions and start-ups resulting in at least $175 million in capital investment and 3,200 new and retained jobs. “It’s an aggressive goal,” said Kiana Johnson, “but I am confident we can achieve our goal by working together as a regional team.”