Henry County participates in Mid America Competitiveness Conference

Economic Development leaders from Southeast Iowa traveled to Chicago this week to participate in the Mid America Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum hosted by the Mid America Economic Development Council (MAEDC).

Representatives from Lee, Des Moines, and Henry Counties as well as Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) participated in the conference as part of the Reciprocal Marketing Agreement (RMA) signed by the counties this past May.

The MAEDC Conference provided strategies and ideas to improve Southeast Iowa?s competitive position to land corporate investments from new and existing businesses as well as best practices on attracting talent. The group heard first-hand perspectives as to what is considered when companies are looking to relocate or expand.

?It?s important to understand what site selectors are looking for if you?re trying to attract new businesses to your community? said Janet Ady, President of Ady Advantage. ?The research presented at this conference shines a light on that.?

Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham, along with other state ED Directors, also provided insight on economic trends and executive thoughts on how the Midwest region can become more attractive for investment.

While in Chicago the Southeast Iowa group consulted with individual developers, highlighting our area?s inventory of available land for development, co-location opportunities, and targeted industries that would benefit from our region?s unique assets. Through the RMA the three counties have a new framework for how to respond to regional inquiries and it empowers each individual organization to bring their strengths to the table in promoting the region's significant sites.

The Mid America Economic Development Council is a multi-state association dedicated to being the leading resource for education, making connections, and sharing best practices for economic development professionals.

For more information about the Mid America Economic Development Council, visit www.midamericaedc.org.

Signed on May 9, 2016, economic development leaders from Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, Ft. Madison Economic Development Corporation, Lee County Economic Development Group, Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission and Grow Greater Burlington, the economic development division of the Greater Burlington Partnership, came together to develop a Reciprocal Marketing Agreement (RMA) paving the way for a higher level of collaboration on regionally significant sites.

The RMA is a one-year agreement that focuses on regionally significant sites that present the largest potential economic development opportunities across the three counties involved.