Senator Grassley Receives Spirit of Enterprise Award

ABI member company Midland Electric Cooperative hosted Senator Grassley's Jefferson County Town Hall on Monday, October 9. Following the town hall, Senator Grassley was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise Award. The award is given in recognition of his support for pro-growth policies in the second session of the 114th Congress. It is given annually to members of Congress based on their votes on critical business legislation as outlined in the chambers annual  scorecard, How They Voted . 

ABI Testifies at Secretary of State Rule Meeting

Jessica Harder, director of public policy for ABI, testified Tuesday at the Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC). In her comments, Jessica addressed the recently proposed rules by the Secretary of State's office to increase business-filing fees for technology modernization. ABI staff had many conversations with the Secretary's office and has worked to ensure the fees will be directed only to business services and the fee increases expire when the technology fund is set to sunset in 2022. The increase in fees will result in an updated system for online filing. You can read more about the initiative here . For questions or comments about the rule, contact Jessica Harder at jharder@iowaabi.org.

 

Iowans for Jobs Initiative Has Record of Success

Each week ABI provides an update in this newsletter about public policy efforts. From time to time you also read about an amicus brief ABI has joined to let the Iowa Supreme Court know what impact a decision can have on Iowa's business community. You have also read about social media efforts where ABI has educated voters about pro-jobs voting records of legislators and informed voters about candidates' positions on issues in a non-partisan manner. ABI has provided these resources through the Iowans for Jobs Initiative, and before that the IIPAC Admin Fund, for almost two decades. If you are interested in continuing to support the efforts of ABI, click here . For information about what the IFJI supports, click here . Thank you for your commitment to ABI and our public policy efforts!

 

Registration Open November 2 for Environment Committee Meeting

The next ABI Environment Committee meeting is slated for November 2, and registration is open now. EPA region 7 will present and take questions about environmental topics important to Iowa businesses. Lunch will be served. Register today by RSVP to Michelle Vollstedt at mvollstedt@iowaabi.org.

 

Administrative Rules Committee Considers New Fees for Employer Misclassification

The Iowa Department of Workforce Development has been working to update its administrative rules and has brought many rules packages before the Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) during the interim. ABI has been following these rules closely. Committee members expressed concern about one rule brought before the ARRC Tuesday that would institute a $500 fine for businesses that misclassify workers. Because of resistance from ARRC members, there are indications IWD could stop this rulemaking change and revisit it in the future. To read the proposed rule,  click here . For questions or comments about the rule, contact Jessica Harder at jharder@iowaabi.org.

 

Iowa's STEM Efforts Recognized in Recent Evaluation

Gov. Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg recently unveiled the results of the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Council's annual evaluation, which measures the council's efforts in boosting education that will enhance economic development across Iowa. Some of the highlights of the 200-page report include more students are taking advance placement (AP) courses in school, and more minorities and females are pursuing STEM degrees at Iowa's public universities. Also, more than 75% of students statewide expressed they were very interested or somewhat interested in pursuing a STEM career. Gov. Reynolds has been a champion of expanding STEM education, which is critical to strengthening the skills of Iowa's workforce and preparing students for jobs of the 21st century. Her efforts, as well as those of the business and educator communities, are paying dividends. Read the full press release here . Click here to read the full report.

 

Now Open: ABI Legislative Reception Registration

Registration for ABI's Legislative Briefing and Reception is now open. One of the first events of the legislative session will take place on January 10, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. This year we are excited to announce a new venue! The briefing and reception will be held at the Iowa Tap Room. Take advantage of the early bird registration and register today !

 

Federal Spotlight - EPA Withdrawing the Clean Power Plan

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced on Monday the agency would be rescinding the Clean Power Plan. The rule, which was established under the Obama Administration in 2015, sought to reduce carbon emissions by capping levels of emissions for states based on their individual energy consumption. ABI has been involved with our national partners, raising questions and concerns about the rule. Critics of the plan contend it would kill jobs, add burdensome regulations and raise energy prices for consumers. The plan was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016 to allow lawsuits against the rule to move forward. Read more from the Washington Post .  

 

Manufacturing Day a Success

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation last Friday officially declaring October 6th as Manufacturing Day. The day, which has been held since 2012, seeks to celebrate modern manufacturing and inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Thousands of events were held across the country, which sought to educate the general public about the importance of manufacturing and what the sector does to grow jobs and our economy across the nation. Many ABI members participated in MFG Day and continue to participate this month.

How did you celebrate Manufacturing Day on October 6th? 

The Pella Corporation - Carroll Operations gave tours to the Carroll and Kuemper Catholic High Schools. Thanks to Brent Kjellberg at Pella Corporation for sharing the photo.

Elevate Advanced Manufacturing will host Manufacturing Parent's Night of the Cedar Valley on October 26 at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to the public to learn about career opportunities in manufacturing. It will include tours of Power Engineering & Manufacturing and TechWorks: Makerspace & UNI Metal Casting Center in downtown Waterloo. For more information on the event and how to register,  click here .

 

The Results Group to Host Free Hiring and Recruitment Seminar

The Results Group will host "How to Hire Producers and Not Pretenders" on October 26, 1:00-2:30 p.m., at 1370 NW 114th Street Suite D in Clive.  Attendees will learn what headhunters wished they knew about hiring producers; how to attract, distinguish, interview, hire and retain top producers;  the differences between Pretenders and Producers and how to deal with them; fun, accurate and user-friendly tactics to interview anyone, anytime and anywhere; easy to remember and immediately applicable tactics that will improve your sales management; and the process that will finally put the odds in your favor recruiting top sales producers. Learn more.

 

Integrity Changes Name to Pratum as Part of Corporate Rebrand

Integrity Technology Systems, Inc., an Ankeny-based information security consulting and managed security services firm, has announced the launch of its new identity. Effective immediately, Integrity Technology Systems, Inc., will operate under the name Pratum. Learn more.

 

Connecting Statewide Leader Program is November 2 in Jefferson

Join ABI members, Leadership Iowa alumni, community leaders and the Leadership Iowa class for an engaging conversation about economic development and manufacturing. Plan to stay for our networking lunch and industry tours to follow the presentation. Learn more.

 

Doing Business with NAFTA Partners Training is November 9 in Altoona

The training will be presented by Scarbrough International and its Canadian and Mexican customs broker partners, AGO Transportation and Scarbrough de Mexico. Topics will include NAFTA documentation, shipping processes to/from each market, Canada's Non-Resident Importer program and GST tax, and Mexico's many programs and regulations. This is a unique opportunity to ask your questions directly to Canadian and Mexican customs brokers and freight forwarders.  Click here for details and to register. Email Kevin Ekstrand at kekstrand@scarbrough-intl.com if you would prefer a one-on-one conversation with either partner.

 

Small Business Bootcamp Webinar for Service Members, Veterans and Military Spouses

The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Iowa District Office and the Veterans Business Outreach Center announced a monthly Small Business Bootcamp webinar series for veterans, National Guard members, Reservists and their spouses to help start, build and grow their small business. The webinars will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be recorded and posted on the office's website .

 

Webinar topics include SBA Veterans Advantage Loan Program and other Small Business Financing Options (November 8) and Iowa's Targeted Small Business Certification & TSB Microloan Program (December 13). Interested individuals can participate via AT&T Connect: Click here and call 1-888-858-2144. When prompted, enter the meeting access code: 4554497#.

 

Traffic Impact, Alternate Routes Next Up for Helgerson Flats in Ottumwa

As part of the site certification process of Helgerson Flats, the Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation, along with City of Ottumwa and Wapello County, are taking a deeper look at the roadways and entrance/exit options at the site. Traffic patterns and counts at the intersection of US149 and N. Court frontage road are of special concern since it is currently the only existing option to gain entrance to the industrial park. Two projects have been implemented since July to address both the current and future conditions and options. Read more about the two projects.