CEDA’s full 2013 annual report is available to view or download at the following link:
Community Economic Development Associates
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CEDA’s full 2013 annual report is available to view or download at the following link:
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2013 proved to be a year of continued growth for CEDA. Updates and successes from CEDA’s member communities and other projects are described below.
Howard County, IA Business & Tourism
Other CEDA projects
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Tom Monson, is the newest addition to the CEDA team through its internship program. Growing up in Cannon Falls, MN he had previously worked for the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation researching regional competitiveness in southern Minnesota. Tom is a senior at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and will graduate in December 2013; majoring in political science and rhetorical communication studies. His interests include international and domestic politics, regional economic development, Minnesota sports teams, weightlifting, and immigration resource development.
Welcome Tom!
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Article by: Spiff Slifka
Construction is underway! With over 150 dignitaries in attendance including Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, shovels were put to use and black dirt was turned over in honor of Lime Springs Beef, LLC. Branstad acknowledged, “As big a deal as Facebook and Google are in other parts of the state of Iowa, Lime Springs Beef is a big deal in this area.”
Jesse Stevens, Lime Springs Beef President said his story is “about an Iowa farm boy who after a long and rewarding business career was given the opportunity to return home and be part of a project that will turn the plight of a region and possibly the plight of the beef industry.”
This $7 million project, expecting to bring 50 new jobs to Howard County, is located along US Hwy 63 at the unique epicenter of locally raised highest-quality beef. This technologically cutting edge slaughter house will feature certified beef producers and the entire process from farm to fork will allow consumers to track their cut of beef full circle.
This innovative business is a true partnership from Board of Directors, Howard County Business & Tourism, the State of Iowa, and now our local FFA organization from Crestwood High School. Earlier in 2013 Governor Branstad and Lt Gov Reynolds were keynote speakers at the HCBT Banquet and signed into law House File #533. This law, written and sponsored by local House Representative Josh Byrnes, now allows entrepreneurial education funds to be invested in private business. Crestwood FFA bought a share of Lime Springs Beef and is now a stakeholder in this pioneering business.
CEDA Vice President of Iowa operations Jason Passmore and Community and Business Development Specialist Spiff Slifka through their work with Howard County Business and Tourism assisted the project by securing a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) grant in the amount of $418,197 and a High Quality Jobs Program (HQJP) grant in the amount of $234,090.