The Connect Collaborate Compete campaign – call it C³ – is an aggressive four-year, $3.55 million plan that emphasizes the importance of dynamic connections and collaboration for our region to compete in today’s changing economy. C³ has the following goals:
- Assure employers have access to an adequate, well-trained workforce
- Provide an infrastructure conducive to business development
- Create and maintain an environment for business development and job growth
- Enhance entrepreneurial activity and new business starts
Over the past several years the Iowa Lake Corridor Development Corporation, representing Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet Counties, has been supported by local public and private leaders which provided the resources necessary for this area to effectively compete for business retention and expansions, entrepreneurial development, industry locations, and population/workforce growth. The successes of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation are numerous and have had a positive effect on the economy and the business climate of the region. The competition among communities and regions for new residents, workforce, good jobs and new investment is fierce and ever increasing. Communities must work together regionally and continually reinvent themselves to be competitive. Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation believes it has developed an effective program to secure and enhance the region’s future economic performance and vitality.
The Corridor’s most prominent business leaders are investing substantial time and financial resources in the project because they consider this comprehensive economic development effort to be critical to the economic future of our area.
C³ is an array of proven strategies which will serve to better connect our region’s assets and resources with each other – as well as those outside of our region – to advance new and existing collaboration to better position the Iowa Lakes Corridor region in a stronger, competitive position in the global economy. The region’s competitive advantage will improve by ensuring:
- A focus on region-specific workforce partnership and funding collaborative
- Employers are able to hire and retain local skilled workers
- Workers have the skills and support needed to successfully participate in a vibrant, local labor market
- Adequate and quality housing is available for the region’s workforce
C³ will energize new growth in the region by:
- Growing companies and jobs from within
- Adding targeted, high-impact businesses that fit well with industry segments and supply chains of the region
- Retaining and attracting skilled workers
- Advocating for key infrastructure enhancements such as new housing and roads
- Creating a greater awareness of the region’s assets and opportunities
- Building and connecting partnerships to maximize and leverage resources
The Iowa Lakes Corridor C³ campaign will be accountable to these measurable goals in 2013-2016:
- Leveraging matching funds of $100,000 into $1 million for training and retraining of residents/workers for area employers
- Creating 600 new primary jobs
- Adding 100 new housing units
- Assisting 120 entrepreneurial clients with coaching, counseling, fundraising, technical assistance, management talent recruitment, and market research
- Creating 40 new start-up companies
- Involving 600 students in youth entrepreneurship programs
- Continuing the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute with 125 college students participating
Uses of Campaign Funds:
Workforce Recruitment, Retention& Training $1,200,000
Housing & Infrastructure – Workforce Housing & Key Infrastructure $ 200,000
Entrepreneurship – Youth Entrepreneurship & New Company Starts $1,200,000
Business Development – Retention & Recruitment of Companies & Jobs $ 750,000
Reserves $ 200,000
TOTAL $3,550,000
