Northwest Iowa Development Recognizes Area Businesses at Annual Meeting
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More than 125 community and regional leaders from the six-county Northwest Iowa Development (NWID) region representing economic development, business, city councils and boards of supervisors and others with an interest in growing the region attended the organizations 6th Annual Partner Meeting held in the Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center at NWICC on Thursday, Septembr 22nd.
Rocket Manufacturing was recognized by Northwest Iowa Development with the Kirk Grau Business or Organization Innovation Award. Each year NWID recognizes outstanding efforts in economic development and innovation in northwest Iowa. Rocket Manufacturing is a pioneer in developing a solution to local and regional skilled workforce challenges, with the school district and industry working together to develop future workers. Rocket Manufacturing is a self-sustaining student-run manufacturing business.
Also being recognized with a Kirk Grau Business or Organization Innovation Award was Rosenboom Machine and Tool of Sheldon. Receiving the NWID Beyond Expectations Economic Development Support Award was Sioux Center Land Development Incorporated of Sioux Center. Paul Clousing, who will be retiring as Sioux Center City Manager at the end of the year, was also recognized during the program.
David Miller, NWID Board member from Rock Valley, told the audience “one thing we have learned in Northwest Iowa is that working together as a region to carry out strategy is truly the best approach. The Northwest Iowa Development identity is that of a regional community of partners sharing a strategy that will benefit all within the region.”
“We work together because we realize it will enable us to accomplish for more than we could if we were to act individually,” he explained. “This is the guiding principle of our efforts.”
Miller focused on the four strategic areas of the 2016 Northwest Iowa Development plan. The for areas are supporting existing business and entrepreneurial growth through workforce development, advocating policies supporting economic growth, developing research and data to support local economic development efforts and marketing our region through targeted promotions.
Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority was the event’s featured speaker and updated those attending on the state-wide economic development areas of emphasis.
“The annual Partners Meeting is our way to show appreciation for the economic development efforts and contributions our partners and stakeholders make to grow northwest Iowa and our counties and cities,” Board Member Steve Simons explained following the Partner Meeting.
Northwest Iowa Development is a regional economic development marketing organization focused on growing businesses and communities in northwest Iowa. It includes the counties of Lyon, Sioux, Cherokee, O’Brien, Plymouth and Osceola. For more information, visit www.northwestiowa.com or contact your local economic development organization.
Accepting the award for Rosenboom Machine and Tool were (L-R) Tom Eggers, President Lary Rosenboom, Kiana Johnson, NWID Board member and Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority director.
Sioux Center Land Development received the 2016 Beyond Expectations Economic Development Support Award from Northwest Iowa Development. Accepting the award were (L-R) Neal Adler, NWID Board member, Eric Vande Hoef, Robert Kroese, Dennis Dokter, Harold Schiebout, Marion Mouw, Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority director, Heath Bakker, Doug Boone and Paul Clousing.
