This Week in the Corridor: Powerful Partnerships

This Week in the Corridor

Kiley Miller awarded recertification in economic development

Kiley Miller, President & CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, has been awarded recertification by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) through April 2021. Miller first achieved the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation in 2015. Recertification required that he fulfill demanding standards for continuing education and service to the profession.

Miller has served as President & CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor since 2014. He previously was Executive Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Over his 11-year career, he has facilitated projects yielding more than $700 million in private-sector investment and the creation of more than 500 jobs. In 2019, he was named one of the 50 best economic developers in North America by Consultant Connect. A frequent speaker on economic and community development, Miller has presented for the Professional Developers of Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Area Development Group, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and at the Heartland Economic Development Conference.

The CEcD designation is recognized nationally and denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, as well as professional attainment and a commitment to professional growth. Miller first earned certification by passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination testing his knowledge, proficiency and judgment in key areas of economic development.

More than 1,000 certified economic developers across the nation work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create and retain high-quality jobs, establish economic vibrancy, and improve the lives of the people they serve.

IEDA builds state brand

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is underfunded and frequently underappreciated, yet the authority remains a powerful friend of rural economic development and an important Corridor partner.

The essential responsibility of IEDA is to build a pro-business brand for our state. The sales pitch is consistent: Low costs, productive workers, central location, and strength across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture and alternative energy.

IEDA also oversees state business incentives. The largest and most broadly applicable program is Iowa’s High Quality Jobs Program, which offers income tax credits, local property tax exemptions, and a refund of some state sales taxes.

Now is the time to say that Iowa is not overly generous to businesses. That is particularly true in comparison to the Sunbelt states. Rather than criticizing IEDA for providing targeted tax breaks, lawmakers and editorialists should commend the authority for its occasional victors.

Looking beyond High Quality Jobs, the state manages a variety of entrepreneurial programs to help promising businesses get established and bring transformative products to market. Brian Dalziel, the Corridor’s Senior VP and Entrepreneur-in-Residence, is the subject matter expert on these programs, having taken many companies through the application process. To learn more, call him at 712.264.3474 or email bdalziel@lakescorridor.com.

We could spend several more paragraphs on IEDA initiatives, but instead let’s end with a shoutout to Director Debi Durham and her great team members. Thank you to all of them for helping the Corridor grow.

Hiring interns this summer?

Looking for additional funding support? Check out the

Iowa Student Internship Program!

The Corridor is also compiling a list of internships available throughout the summer to publish and assist those looking to improve their skills and gain workplace experience. If you have internships you're looking to fill, please send an email to Alyssa Petersen at apetersen@lakescorridor.com!

Featured Real Estate

Site: Expansive Commercial Space in Lake Park, IA

Location: 503 South Market St.

Lake Park, IA 51347

11,760 sq. ft.

Sale Price: $349,500

For more information visit the Corridor website!

This Week in the Corridor

Iowa Lakes Corridor to conduct BEST of Iowa interviews

Each year, Joanne Follon leads the Corridor in conducting Business Expansion and Strategic Trends (BEST) of Iowa interviews. These confidential interviews are used to identify growth trends as well as challenges.

Learn about the BEST of Iowa program.

NWIA Public Safety Training Center comes together

Wednesday, the Northwest Iowa Public Safety Training Center was constructed. The modular, three-story building is made to emulate different scenarios for public safety personnel to train.

Learn more.

RAGBRAI returns to Storm Lake

RAGBRAI will be returning to Storm Lake in 2020 as an overnight town on Sunday, July 20th. The overnight host towns were announced on Saturday, January 25th.

Investor Spotlight

Each week we want to feature and thank the businesses and individuals that have committed to economic development and growth in our communities. To learn more about these investors and others, visit our Business Directory!

Bank Plus

Sector: Financial & Insurance Services

Location: Estherville

Description: Bank Plus, a locally-owned institution services more residential, agricultural and commercial customers than ever before with quality financial and real estate products delivered by knowledgeable personnel from offices in four Northwest Iowa communities.

Banwart Strategies

Sector: Business Services/Other

Location: Spirit Lake

Description: Banwart Strategies helps owners of family offices and family businesses prosper by assisting them in the development and implementation of the strategy to achieve the family's dream.