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Greater Dubuque Development Corporation | 300 Main Street, Suite 120, Dubuque, IA 52001 563.557.9049 | www.greaterdubuque.org
Rick Dickinson
President & CEO
Dan McDonalD
VP of Existing Business
saRah haRRis
VP of Workforce Solutions
Beth MescheR Director of
Communications
MAY 2013
shannon GaheRty
Newcomer Relations Coordinator
Jayne eRvolino
Administrative Assistant
Bill BauM
Existing Business Specialist
MaRk seckMan
VP of National Marketing
kaRen kluesneR
VP of Operations
SEDGWICK TO ADD 100+ NEW JOBS IN DUBUQUE: GOVERNOR BRANSTAD JOINS GREATER DUBUQUE TEAM ON VISIT TO FAST-GROWING, EXISTING BUSINESS
Sedgwick is doing it again....More jobs for Dubuque area families.
On May 7th, Iowa Governor, The Honorable Terry E. Branstad, Greater Dubuque Development President & CEO, Rick Dickinson, and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director, Debi Durham, visited Sedgwick’s Dubuque Technology Park office to meet with corporate officials and employees. Sedgwick is the leading North American provider of innovative, technology-enabled claims and productivity management solutions, delivering a world of expert resources to a diverse client-base through almost 11,000 colleagues across the U.S. and Canada.
David North, President & CEO of Sedgwick, hosted the officials and articulated the company’s plan for growth in the Dubuque area - A plan that includes at least 106 new jobs this year. Since establishing a presence in Dubuque in 2006, Sedgwick has experienced rapid growth. During its first seven years in Dubuque, Sedgwick has grown from its initial base of 30 employees to more than 440 associates at two locations in Dubuque (Dubuque Technology Park and Westmark Corporate Campus). Additionally, the Dubuque region also benefits from Sedgwick’s Bellevue office.
In August of 2011, Greater Dubuque Development was pleased to join local leaders and officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for Sedgwick’s new, 8,200 square foot facility in Bellevue. The construction of the new office was completed in the Spring of 2012. Today, the company’s Bellevue office has 40 employees and is growing. With the latest plan for growth in Dubuque, Sedgwick officials note that Dubuque/Bellevue employment will total approximately 600 people by the end of this year.
During the meeting with Governor Branstad, David North was quick to credit his employees for the company’s success in Dubuque and throughout North America. Greater Dubuque Development wishes to thank David North and the entire Sedgwick team for their continued investment and confidence in the Dubuque region.
EXISTING BUSINESSDan McDonald
President and CEO David North and Sedgwick’s management team hosted Gov. Branstad for a tour and information session on May 7th
Gov. Branstad and Mark Gessner, AVP Ops & Client Services, speak with a Sedgwick associate
GREATER DUBUQUE BUSINESS MATTERS NEWSLETTER | May 2013 | 2
If you would like more information about how AccessDubuqueJobs.com can benefit your business, please contact Sarah Harris at 563.557.9049 or [email protected].
ACCESSDUBUQUEJOBS.COM UPDATE
• AFLAC• Diamond Jo Casino• Dubuque Data Services • Honkamp Krueger & Co.• Klauer Construction Company• RT&T Enterprises Inc.
Renewed Investors
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONSSarah HarrisBEST PRACTICE VISITS TO TRI-STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGES
The most important driver for growth in Dubuque’s economy and Greater Dubuque Development’s #1 customer is the existing business base. To gain a street-level view and full perspective of the local economy, Greater Dubuque Development conducts over 250 on-site visits with business owners, CEO’s and top managers through our nationally recognized InfoAction Program. InfoAction interviews continue to reveal that Dubuque employers face workforce recruitment challenges – a large majority of those employers expressed difficulty in finding individuals with the skill sets to excel in the advanced manufacturing industry.
In an effort to better serve our existing business base, the Greater Dubuque Development team hit the road to become better-educated on community college best practices and advanced manufacturing programs throughout the tri-state area. The visits focused primarily on Computer Numerical Control (CNC), welding, and industrial maintenance programs. The team visited with representatives and instructors from the following institutions: • Northeast Iowa Community College, Dubuque, IA; • Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA; • Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA; • Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport, IA; • Highland Community College, Freeport, IL; • Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Fennimore, WI.
Dubuque Works, the Dubuque Community Schools, and local manufacturers continue to partner to proactively address the skills gap by providing cutting-edge certificate training and scholarship programs through “Opportunity Dubuque.” This program is generously funded by the City of Dubuque, Mystique Casino, and Dubuque County and is implemented through Northeast Iowa Community College. Opportunity Dubuque has trained 135 individuals in advanced manufacturing since its inception in 2011 and has a 87% placement rate into full-time employment with local manufacturers. For more information on Opportunity Dubuque, contact Wendy Knight at 563-557-8271 x 130.
• Steele Capital Management, Inc. • The Insurance Center, Inc• Wartburg Theological Seminary• Woodward Communications, Inc.• WS Live LLC
• Global Reach Internet ProductionsNew Investors
INTERNSHIP POSTING UPDATE
Greater Dubuque Development took over the internship program in July 2012.
214 20 24 29
3649
58
82
112
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Jul
Aug
Sept Oct
Nov De
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Jan
Feb
Mar Ap
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Total Internships Posted FY 2012-2013
GREATER DUBUQUE BUSINESS MATTERS NEWSLETTER | May 2013 | 3
NATIONAL MARKETINGMark Seckman
KEEPING DUBUQUE TOP-OF-MINDOn April 17-19, Mark Seckman traveled to Minneapolis, MN for sales meetings and appointments with a variety of individuals. During the trip, Mark met with site location consultants Hickey & Associates, LLC and CB Richard Ellis to follow-up on requests for proposals submitted by Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. Mark also used this opportunity to provide a general overview of the economy within the region and insight and advantages of our targeted industry clusters. Meetings were also held with two investment companies; Oxbow Industries LLC and Essex Capital, LLC. Both firms work with small to mid-sized companies that are looking to expand.
As part of our corporate headquarters outreach program, Mark met with corporate executives of companies that have operations in the Dubuque area. These executives reinforced the importance of our organization’s relationship with the company to attract/retain employees, as well as our role to assist them in recruiting critical suppliers into the community. Lastly, Mark met with several prospective companies that are evaluating the Dubuque area for expansion, including one company that plans on making a location decision within the next 30 days.
Mark Seckman also attended the ACORD LOMA Forum in Las Vegas, NV on May 6-8. ACORD LOMA is the premier business and technology conference for insurance professionals. The event brought together approximately 2,000 influential attendees from across the globe to learn the latest about best practices, cutting-edge tools, and forecasts for the future. The general sessions included the topics of data analytics, cloud computing, enterprise architecture, information distribution, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, customer experience management, and system development.
Many major insurance companies participated in the event as well, including: AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Lincoln Financial Group, Nationwide, New York Life Insurance Company, The Hartford, and Travelers. The forum was also attended by all the top computer software and hardware providers for the insurance industry including; IBM, Hewlett Packard, Dell, Xuber Insurance Software, EquiSoft, Oracle Insurance, Perceptive Software, Elixir Technologies, Accusoft, Adaptik Corporation, AlphaTrust, Applied Systems Inc., and EMC Corporation.
While attending the conference, Mark effectively networked with industry experts and key decision-makers. The event was a perfect example of a smart, targeted venue to sell the Dubuque region to growing companies within the insurance and IT sectors.
NEWCOMER SERVICESShannon Gaherty
Greater Dubuque’s exclusive, one-stop concierge service for newcomers and employers provides a seamless transition into our community. This program ensures that individuals and families who have chosen Dubuque as a place to live and work are not only welcomed into the community, but are equipped with the knowledge to enrich their experience.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: SERVING INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYERS
2013 January February March April May June July August September October November December Total
Individuals 35 34 30 60 159
Newcomer Services Assistance
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR & FORUM IN DUBUQUE
If you would like to register or have questions, please contact Mark Ernst at 563-590-8997.
Events will be held:Wednesday, May 29th Thursday, May 30th
9:00 am - 10:30 am 9:00 am - 10:30 am2:00 pm - 3:30 pm 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The seminar will feature an expert panel that will provide information related to:• Fuel savings;• Rules and regulations for CNG vehicles;• CNG conversion;• Tax benefits.
GREATER DUBUQUE BUSINESS MATTERS NEWSLETTER | May 2013 | 4
January February March April
# of Units Managed 3,277 3,167 3,513 3,436
# Vacancies Reported 213 235 222 198
Vacancy Rate 6.50% 7.42% 6.32% 5.76%
Housing Update
Distinctively Dubuque ParticipantsJanuary/February February/March April/May August/September Total
Individuals YTD 26 27 25 78
Individuals Total in 2012 25 25 24 26 100
Community Tours
January February March April May June July August September October November December Total
Tours Conducted 15 18 12 29 74
Tours 2012 26 22 22 28 28 21 27 26 23 20 11 11 265
Tours 2011 9 5 10 17 7 16 7 24 10 9 10 15 139
Map of Relocation Guides Sent to Individuals in April 2013
HI
WA
OR
MT
ID
NVCA
UT
WY
CO
AZ NM
KS
NE
SD
ND MN
IA
MO
OK
TX
AR
LA
WI MI
IL IN OH
WVKY
TN
MS AL
FL
NC
SC
VA
PA
NY
MD
DENJ
RICT
MANH
VT
ME
GA
AK 128
4
21
2
1
2
1
11
2
11
21
1
1
January February March April May June July August September October November December Total
2013 58 56 47 58 219
2012 127 48 66 62 74 58 43 47 40 64 61 35 725
2011 40 56 100 86 47 62 39 65 77 34 33 65 704
2010 60 130 120 147 230 96 99 107 151 110 110 62 1422
2009 129 93 135 88 79 64 85 81 59 86 86 44 1029
2008 87 97 103 177 58 64 85 55 69 59 59 58 971
2007 N/A 78 77 162 60 55 67 89 37 75 75 64 839
**Number of Employers Participating YTD: 26
Monthly Relocation Guide Distribution
Yearly Relocation Guide Distribution
January February March April May June July August September October November December Total
To Individuals 42 48 34 48 172
To Businesses 16 8 13 10 47
Employers Assisted
YTD 2013 43
Total 2012 93
Total 2011 81
Individuals AssistedYTD 2013 159
Total 2012 528
Total 2011 420
Total 2010 375
Total 2009 250
1
12
GREATER DUBUQUE BUSINESS MATTERS NEWSLETTER | May 2013 | 5
JOB CREATION UPDATEThe resident unemployment rate for March 2013 was reported as 5.2% and non-farm employment was 58,000.
SOURCE: Estimates from Iowa Workforce Development (sampling error +/- 7.5% @ 95% confidence level.)
GOALS & PROGRESSRick Dickinson
NEW CONSTRUCTION UPDATESince the beginning of the NEXT Campaign (7/1/12 through 4/30/13), residential construction totals $68,449,073.
Commercial construction totals $130,510,555. Total construction equals $198,959,628.
SOURCE: City of Dubuque and Dubuque County, incorporated and unincorporated.
GREATER DUBUQUE BUSINESS MATTERS NEWSLETTER | May 2013 | 6
WAGE LEVEL UPDATEThe benchmark median wage for Dubuque County was reported at $18.34 for the period 7/1/12 through 6/30/13.
SOURCE: Iowa Economic Development Authority County Wage Thresholds.
POPULATION GROWTH UPDATEThe population benchmark for Dubuque County is 93,653. As of July 2012, the population was 95,097.
SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division
Rick Dickinson GOALS & PROGRESS