MP joins local economic development group

Economic development leaders from the Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission, Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, Ft. Madison Economic Development Corporation, Lee County Economic Development Group and Grow Greater Burlington Partnership, gathered yesterday at the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to sign a Reciprocal Marketing Agreement (RMA), paving the way for a high level of collaboration on regionally significant sites.

?One component of this agreement is acknowledging that some of the more regionally significant sites in the southeast Iowa region do have some impact on Henry County, just like the other two counties involved in this agreement,? explained Travis Kraus, Executive Vice President of the Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission.

?We know that the trend in economic development is to work together with the region, and we have (in Henry County) adopted that approach,? Kraus continued. ?However, we still are competitive and, of course, we still want companies to move here, but when we work together, we have the ability to access more companies and to use information that might address the types of things that they are looking for.?

The RMA is a one-year agreement that focuses on regionally significant sites that present the largest potential economic development opportunities across Henry, Lee and Des Moines Counties.

?Our organizations have worked together under the banner of the Southeast Iowa Great River Region for many years and we?ve successfully collaborated on marketing projects, research initiatives and best practices,? shared David File, Chairman of the Board of the Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission, in a press release. ?However, in reviewing how each of our areas are benefiting from the Iowa Fertilizer Project, it?s clear to our organizations that we can do business a little differently and improve our chances at landing similar regionally significant projects.?

The RMA establishes a new framework for how to respond to regional inquiries and empowers each individual organization to bring their strengths to the table in promoting the region?s significant sites.

?This is a first step towards seeing if we can do things differently and be more effective,? commented Dave Schwarz, Chairman of the Board of the Lee County Economic Development Group, in a prepared statement. ?Because normally when you think of regional coordination you?re focused on everyone paying a fair share, developing broad strategies that are all inclusive, etc. The RMA moves us beyond that point, allowing each organization to fully utilize their strengths to benefit the region.?

The RMA also serves as the region?s response to site selectors and corporate real estate professionals shifting their way of doing business to more closely evaluate regions instead of cities and counties.

?Taking this step requires a slightly different mindset,? offered Charles L. Walsh, Board Chairman of the Board for Grow Greater Burlington, the economic development division of the Greater Burlington Partnership. ?The historical way of doing business is that while we shared information, we still competed individually because our communities expected results to be very local. All of us acknowledge we would still like the next big project in our back yard, but it?s as important that we make sure it ends up in the neighborhood.?