Issues

Community Revitalization

Position

  • Destination Attraction Fund


    • — Continue funding and remove cap on Destination Attraction Fund

    A matching fund supporting visionary community projects or destination attractions is important to grow local economies, attract visitors and retain businesses and workers for those businesses. Some funding is currently available through Iowa's Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program.

    The Vision Iowa Board has the ability to fund up to 50% of a project's total cost. The Board may make a multiyear commitment to a project up to a maximum of only $4 million in any one fiscal year that funding is available.
    This cap is limiting the program's impact and should be removed.


  • Brownfield Redevelopment Program


    • — Fund the Iowa Brownfield Redevelopment Program at $3 million per year

    Communities are in need of readily accessible funding for environmental site investigations prior to acquiring nuisance Brownfield sites or Brownfield sites that are preventing future redevelopment investment. These investigation funds must be open to use on soil and water contaminant discovery as well as asbestos and lead based paint inventories that are required to understand pre-demolition liabilities. Asbestos abatement and demolition costs associated with Brownfield sites most often exceed contaminant remediation costs.
    Over the past three years, the state Brownfield Redevelopment Program fund has been substantially cut to $500,000 per year; well below the needs of both large and small communities across this state. The Alliance asks that the Iowa Brownfield Redevelopment Program be funded at its original level of $3 million per year.


  • Entrepreneurship


    • — Create a culture of entrepreneurship in Iowa
    — Continue funding for research parks and regional business accelerators

    To accelerate business growth and vigorously participate in the dynamic global economy, Iowa's leaders must nurture entrepreneurial talent and venture capital in the state. In 2005, the Iowa Legislature funded the development of business accelerators to propel Iowa's entrepreneurial efforts by fostering the accelerated growth of new and existing businesses. Seven regional business accelerators have been licensed in Iowa, and the majority of them are already operational.

    Iowa's research parks and business accelerators offer technical assistance and mentoring to the state's high growth opportunity companies. Research parks and business accelerators provide the services of staff experienced in legal, accounting and marketing disciplines. These professionals help entrepreneurs navigate resources, strengthen their knowledge, improve skills, form strategic alliances and secure business capital – ultimately helping businesses take the next steps forward in moving their products to new or additional markets, becoming profitable and adding new jobs.

    The Alliance recommends continued financial support of research parks and regional business accelerators. At the same time, the Alliance recognizes that many other tools offer the potential for fostering entrepreneurship. Iowa's business organizations in partnership with the Department of Economic Development must further identify best practices, including strategies used in other states, then develop a comprehensive implementation plan and monitor its effectiveness.

    News

    • College and Hospital Team Up to Revitalize Industrial Site
      Jun 16, 2010 — New York Times
      The Armstrong site was bought for $1 by EDC Finance, an industrial development corporation in Lancaster and a partner in the project. Once it is complete, Norfolk Southern will move into its new yard and turn over the eastern section to Franklin & Marshall and Lancaster General. Norfolk Southern is contributing $2 million to the project.
    • Obama Outing Prompts 'usa!' Chants - Pfeiffer Previews Budget Cuts - Alfalfa Inducts Valerie Jarrett, Rupert Murdoch-- Ornstein Praises Pelosi, Reid - Schumer Opposes Ksm Trial In State
      Jan 31, 2010 — Politico
      Barack Obama.”New “sprouts” inducted last night: Valerie Jarrett, Rupert Murdoch, Sen. I don't think any of those could be suitable,’ Schumer said. Obama singled out nuclear power in his State of the Union address, and his spending plan for the next budget year is expected to include billions more dollars in federal guarantees for new nuclear reactors.
    • $5 billion proposal aims to save ATL banks, build parks
      Dec 4, 2009 — Atlanta Journal Constitution
      That would allow the banks to begin lending again, stimulating the economy, she said.Roughly $3 billion of the $5 billion proposed for metro Atlanta would buy land. If $3 billion were spent just inside the Perimeter, it could create 15 Piedmont Parks, Georgia Tech says. Say, for example, 100 acres of blighted property is bought.
    • Prince William County community events, Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2009
      Oct 29, 2009 — Washington Post
      Sponsored by the Prince William Conservation Alliance and the Clean Water Fund. 7:30 p.m., Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge. Costumes are optional. 10:30 a.m., Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Ave., Manassas. TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL, Manassas Community Club 6585. 7:30 p.m., Manassas Presbyterian Church, 8201 Ashton Ave. $41 membership fee. 703-304-6615.
    • New Atlanta Beltline leader chosen
      Sep 16, 2009 — Atlanta Journal Constitution
      Terri Montague, who left the Beltline earlier this month after more than three years at the helm.“Brian brings the right combination of technical experience, development success and community engagement for what the Beltline needs as it enters the next chapter of its evolution,” Beltline chairman Cal Darden said in a statement.Michael Koblentz, chairman of the Northwest Community Alliance, said Leary is “someone with vision, smarts, charisma, and has a great...
    • Newsday, Melville, N.Y., Joye Brown column
      Jun 7, 2009 — Newsday
      There he stands, the first black Democrat elected to the county legislature, smiling along with then-Sen.
    • Virginian aims to grow energy out of tobacco funds
      Apr 6, 2009 — Washington Times
      Howell told reporters and editors of The Times that expanding energy work there would be natural.Using money from the tobacco settlement also makes sense, he said. Pfohl said, with the hope of commercializing alternative-energy projects that now are too expensive to fund. Pfohl said.He added that because of the commonwealth's coal stockpile, the commission is spending large amounts of money on clean-coal technology.Mr.
    • Housing complex marks start of New Cassel revitalization
      Feb 8, 2009 — Newsday
      Blighted for decades, the hamlet was plagued with drug dealers and empty storefronts. A two-bedroom apartment at that rate rents for about $1,500 a month. At the 35-unit building, Apex II, by Douglaston Development and the Great Neck-based Kimmel Housing Foundation, monthly rents depend on income level and unit type and range from about $635 to $1,232.
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