Goal:  Become recognized as the most entrepreneurial region in Iowa

Objective:  Attract and retain entrepreneurs in the region

Objective:  Develop an economic gardening program, providing technical assistance to small growing companies by conducting market research, customized business research, and focus group research; tracking industry trends; and helping identifying new markets through  database subscriptions.

Objective:  Develop additional opportunities for entrepreneurs to network with other entrepreneurs, successful entrepreneurs in the region, trade associations, major employers, elected officials and colleges and universities.

Key Initiatives and Areas of Focus:

• Promote and implement the annual Okoboji entrepreneurial institute
• Promote and implement an entrepreneurial institute for non-college students
• Develop and promote K-12 entrepreneurial programming throughout the region
• Identify and support growth companies of all sizes and all sectors
• Provide market research assistance to start-up or existing entrepreneurs
• Develop and conduct an existing business call program of entrepreneurs
• Provide educational and training programs for entrepreneurs
• Provide contract consulting services for potential high-growth start-up companies
• Facilitate a mentoring program for existing entrepreneurs
• Administer the Iowa Lakes Capital Fund
• Promote entrepreneurial success stories and opportunities in the region
• Explore feasibility and support for a Junior Achievement chapter
• Explore feasibility of establishing an entrepreneurial center or business accelerator
  

Goal:  Add 600 new primary, higher-wage jobs to the region through existing business and industry expansion, new business and industry locations, and new business starts-ups.

Objective:  Proactively assist existing business and industry to maximize growth opportunities in the region.

Objective:  Aggressively promote the region to prospective business and industry through direct contacts and partner organizations.

Key Initiatives and Areas of Focus:

• Existing industry call program, retention and expansion
• Visit out-of-state company headquarters
• Collaborate with area health care and educational institutions to grow these strong sectors of the regional economy
• Trade shows, direct sell trips, direct-mail, advertising
• Collateral materials, including expansion of website
• Case studies of company success stories developed, published and distributed regionally and to prospects and consultants
• Hosting site location consultants and design-build firms
• Maintain current demographic and industry data for regional marketing efforts (laborshed, benefit surveys, LOIS)
• Product improvement and development
  - Document and promote existing infrastructure, available buildings and shovel-ready sites; assist in development of needed infrastructure, sites and buildings
  - Meet and secure support from local, state and federal elected officials and their staff, and appointed officials, as appropriate
  

Goal:  Attract more people and workers to the region

Objective:  Develop and broadcast the compelling case for the Iowa Lakes Corridor region as the place to live, work and play.

Key Initiatives and Areas of Focus:

• Continue and expand Why Go Back? Campaign
• Target areas of higher unemployment and recent displacements/closures for potential workforce
• Develop relocation assistance program and fund
• Seek alumni lists of local high schools and colleges and develop database for direct marketing
• Iowa Career Consortium membership and active involvement
• Existing employer recruitment efforts for specific skills and positions
• Internship opportunities posted on Iowa Careers Consortium and Corridor websites
• Regional job postings w/IWD on http://www.lakescorridor.com/
• Participate in career fairs and events in the Midwest; host a regional job fair annually
• Develop and promote regional showcase events (bi-annually) such as regional art trail
• Support and promote ArtsLIVE organization and the many arts and cultural amenities in the region