May 16, 2019
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Gov. Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Gregg to Address ABI Conference
We are excited to announce Gov. Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg will speak to ABI conference attendees on Wednesday, June 5! The governor and lieutenant governor have been strong allies of pro-growth policies to benefit all Iowans, specifically focusing on a skilled workforce and empowering rural communities. After a successful legislative session, Gov. Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg will have much to share with ABI members. If you haven’t yet registered for the ABI conference, be sure to do so today to take advantage of the early-bird registration that ends TOMORROW!

Iowa Sets Record for New Business Filings 
Last week, the Secretary of State announced Iowa set a new record for the number of new business filings in the month of April. The Business Services Division processed more than 2,300 applications. Secretary Pate implemented Fast Track Filing in 2018, which allows new businesses to register with the state in just a few minutes. According to the Secretary of State’s  release , previously, the process could take up to three weeks. Secretary Pate stated, “Our office’s goal is to operate at the speed of business, not the speed of government. We need to be available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and that's what we've done by putting online filing and fast-tracking in our offices.”

Future Ready Iowa and Broadband Funding Approved
Earlier this week, Gov. Reynolds signed several appropriations bills into law including the Education and Administration & Regulation budget bills. The Education budget,  HF 758 , included a little more than $13 million for the Last-Dollar Scholarship program that is key to implementing the Future Ready Iowa goal of 70% of Iowans with education or training beyond high school by 2025. The bill also sets a wage threshold for jobs that meet Future Ready Iowa scholarship expectations. Read more .

Gov. Reynolds Signs Right of Way Bill
Last Friday, Gov. Reynolds signed  HF 537 , legislation that makes clear what fees and costs a local government can collect from public utilities when it comes to managing the right of way. ABI supported the legislation to ensure local governments were not collecting fees from businesses that were not related to maintaining the right of way. The legislation will also help broadband deployment statewide. Read more.

Congress Introduces PRO Act
The U.S. House last week introduced HR 2474, legislation that would be harmful to employers in Iowa and around the country. The bill is an attempt by Congress to implement anti-jobs policies from the Obama administration that have been struck down by courts, opposed on a bipartisan basis in Congress, or have been abandoned by the federal agencies charged with implementing them. The act includes everything from preventing Right to Work laws to codifying the Browning-Ferris rule from 2015 that Iowa just worked to overturn in code this year. Read more .
ABI UPDATE
Annual Public Policy Tour Begins Next Week
The 2019 legislative session has adjourned, and many bills were debated and approved that affect Iowa businesses. You're invited to join the ABI public policy staff for a summary of the legislative session in Clarinda (May 20) , Orange City (May 21) , Dubuque (May 22) or Pella (May 29) . These meetings are an opportunity to discuss what issues are important to you, and this is the first step in developing the association’s legislative priorities for 2020. The meetings are free and open to ABI members.
FROM THE DESK OF...
Building Bridges: Convergence in Manufacturing
Steve Simpson
Account Executive
Aureon

Technology convergence is a raging river waiting to be bridged. It starts with separate and often opposing sides holding firm to their ground. The current of business rushes between them with each camp working from their respective banks.

In manufacturing, information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) have been able to maintain separate camps. OT controls the shop floor by manipulating, coordinating and communicating with PLCs, CNC equipment, SCADA systems and more. While on the other hand, IT services the business, design and engineering sides with networks, servers and storage. Read more .
MEMBER NEWS
Decatur County Development Corporation Receives Award for Business Retention and Expansion Efforts
The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) honored the Decatur County Development Corporation during the SMART Economic Development Conference held in Des Moines on May 9. Decatur County Development Corporation received the 2019 Single Project BRE Success Award. The award recognizes a single event or issue in which a community successfully mobilized to retain or expand an existing business. Read the full news release .

TechBrew Coming to Osage for First Time
TechBrew comes to Osage for the first time on May 28, 5-7 p.m., at Limestone Brewers. TechBrew is a monthly event bringing together entrepreneurs, technologists, business people and investors from across North Iowa. Join like-minded North Iowans for an evening of creative thinking, conversation and connections. The event is free. Register now .

"The Journey to Your Vision" Seminar is June 7 in West Des Moines
Every business faces peaks and valleys as it progresses through stages of growth. Do you know what stage your business is in and how you can reach the next level? Attend this valuable one-day seminar to help stack the odds in your favor by understanding the stages of business growth, their unique challenges and methods to overcome them. Learn more about this seminar presented by Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa.

Manpower Provides Opportunity for Women to Thrive 
For the second year in a row, Manpower has been recognized as a 2019 “Best Company to Work for Women” in the U.S. by the Women's Choice Award ® , a leading advocate for women across the country. ManpowerGroup is recognized for its company culture, commitment to career development, work-life balance and female representation at every level. Read the full news release .

R&R Welcomes Hy-Vee to Prairie Tower Business Park
R&R Realty Group (R&R) announced last week it is welcoming Hy-Vee, Inc. as the first customer to build at Prairie Tower Business Park at 130 th  Street and Meredith Drive in Urbandale. The West Des Moines-based supermarket chain is planning to construct a Fast & Fresh store with an accompanying Hy-Vee gas station and a drive-up coffee shop. Read the full news release .
GOVERNOR'S CLUB SPONSORS
EXECUTIVE'S CLUB SPONSORS
3M
Accumold, LLC
ACT, Inc
Altria Client Services LLC
Aureon
Baker Group
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Bank of the West
Bankers Trust Company
Bayer Crop Science
Bing Bang
BKD, LLP
Casey's General Stores, Inc.
CenturyLink
CIRAS              
Conlon Construction      
Constellation Energy
Delta Dental of Iowa
Diamond Vogel Paint                
EFCO Corp       
Graham Construction Company
HealthPartners UnityPoint Health  
Holmes Murphy & Associates, Inc.
Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C.       
Hormel Foods Corporation
Intellicents
Iowa Soybean Association
Iowa Speedway/NASCAR
LWBJ
LyondellBasell Industries
Magna International
Manatts Construction Company, Inc.
McGowen Hurst Clark & Smith
Meredith Corp
Midwest Growth Partners
Musco Corporation
Norplex-Micarta
PC Matic
Pratum
Riverstone Group, Inc.
RSM US LLP
Saxton, Inc.
SHYFT Collective
SSAB Americas
Storey Kenworthy Office Interiors
& Products
Story Construction
TrueNorth Companies LLC
Unite Private Networks
United Equipment Accessories, Inc.
Universal Printing Services
University of Iowa – Des Moines Programs
Upper Iowa University
West Bank
Whirlpool
Wilson Trailer Company Company
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Zarley Law Firm, P.L.C.