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Leading business executives sign-on to I-PEP (audio)

October 31, 2011 By

Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham speaks to media as the governor and IPEP Board look on.

Some of the state’s captains of industry have agreed to serve on two new boards which will steer state government economic development policy.

Governor Branstad says the executives will help develop a “comprehensive economic development strategy” for the state, including marketing advice and tips about emerging markets around the globe.

“This is a new day for economic development in Iowa,” Branstad says. “I think it shows we are bringing together the best of the private sector.”

During the 2010 campaign Branstad called for creating a new public-private partnership to replace the Iowa Department of Economic Development and legislators agreed to the idea this past spring.

Executives from Rockwell Collins, Pioneer and Principal are among the 18 Iowa business leaders on the new “Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress” board and the “Iowa Innovation Corporation” board.  Principal C.E.O. Larry Zimpleman says Iowa’s favorable regulatory climate gives Iowa-based financial services businesses the potential to expand into foreign markets.

“It’s interesting today, as many of you know, is the day that the seven-billionth person is born on the planet,” He says. “We have an exploding middle-income class all over the world who are going to want the same sort of financial products and services, frankly the same consumer products and services, that all of us here in the United States have grown up with, so there is a big opportunity for Iowa companies in markets like Brazil and China and southeast Asia.”

The Iowa Economic Development Authority serves as the over-arching operating structure for the new public-private agency and a new board of directors for that authority has met once and handed out state grants for businesses that promise to create new jobs in Iowa.  Branstad says business secrets from the participating executives and the businesses state officials are trying to lure to the state will be handled “carefully.”

“I don’t know that there’s an easy answer to that. I mean, we’re going to follow the law and we’re going to avoid getting into any conflicts of interests,” Branstad says. “But when you have proprietary interests, I mean, each company is going to, obviously, look out to protect their own proprietary interest.”

Critics of the new public-private partnership charge with decisions about government grants and loans being made by private business leaders, it’s a “scandal waiting to happen.” The governor promises “transparency” in decisions made by the three new boards that are part of the new public-private partnership.

AUDIO of Branstad’s weekly news conference, at which the membership on the two boards was announced.

Below is information released by the governor’s office this morning regarding the membership on the two boards.

The members of the IPEP board include:

Bill Fehrmann, President and CEO, MidAmerican Energy Company

Paul Schickler III, President, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business

Larry Zimpleman, CEO, Principal Financial Group

John Smith, Chairman of the Board, CRST International Inc.

Toby Shine, President, Shine Brothers Corporation

Mary Andringa, President and CEO, Vermeer Corporation

Marti Rodamaker, Banker, First Citizens National Bank

Ken Lockard, Chairman, Lockard Companies

Tom Aller, President, Interstate Power and Light, Alliant Energy

Roger Underwood, Co-founder, Becker-Underwood

Clay Jones, Chairman, President and CEO, Rockwell Collins

The IPEP board will be co-chaired by the Governor and Lt. Governor and will also include the director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the chair of the IEDA board and the chair of the Iowa Innovation Corporation.

The Governor also named the members of the Iowa Innovation Corporation board, the non-profit corporation that was established by the IEDA (as required by House File 590), that will serve as Iowa’s innovation intermediary.  The Corporation will operate independently with funding from the private sector and Federal grants.

The members of the Iowa Innovation Corporation board include:

Robert Riley, Jr., President and CEO, Feed Energy Co.

Jamie Zanios, Vice President, North Iowa Area Community College

Peter Hempken, retired, DuPont

Scott Norvell, President and CEO, Master Builders of Iowa

Cara Heiden, retired, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Sarah Haskin, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, AY McDonald Manufacturing Company

Chris Nelson, President and CEO, Kemin Industries Inc.

Filed Under: Business, Featured Story, News, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,

Farmer dies in accident involving anhydrous

October 31, 2011 By

A 74-year-old Ogden man died Saturday in a farm accident near Pilot Mound in Boone County. Reportedly, Richard Shaw and his son, 54-year-old Michael Shaw of Ogden, were spreading anhydrous ammonia on a farm field when an anhydrous tank hose broke off causing a cloud of toxic gas to envelop the tractor.

Michael Shaw jumped onto the tractor, climbed inside in trying to drive the tractor out of the cloud. Richard Shaw was pronounced dead at the scene while his son was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital for medical attention and was later released.

The investigation is continuing.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City

Filed Under: Agriculture, Fires/Accidents/Disasters, News

LIHEAP sign up required to avoid utility shut off

October 31, 2011 By

The Iowa Utilities Board is encouraging low-income Iowans to check into the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program know as LIHEAP. Board spokesman, Rob Hillesland says LIHEAP provides some monetary help with heating bills, and can also provide protection if you fall behind on your bill.

He says people who are certified in the program are protected from having their utilities disconnected from November first through April first. The protection against having your heat turned off is a safety measure for the cold months.

Hillesland says the I.U.B. “very strongly encourages” LIHEAP certified customers to keep paying as much as they can on their bills through the winter, as he says the bills could pile up if it is a very cold winter. He says the LIHEAP program only pays for a portion of the heating bills. Hillesland says if you get too far behind, you may face disconnection of your utilities in the spring.

Hillesland says customers who are behind could have their utilities disconnected after April first. There are income guidelines that determine who is eligible for LIHEAP. Hillesland says you should find out where you Community Action Program Agency is and apply, and if you don’t know, you can call your local utility.

He says you can also check with the Department of Human Rights. HIllesland says customers who qualify for LIHEAP are also eligible for the Home Weatherization Program, which helps people improve the energy efficiency of their homes. You can find out more details about the LIHEAP and weatherization assistance programs on-line at: www.dcaa.iowa.gov.

Filed Under: News, Weather Tagged With:

Winter fuel in good supply

October 31, 2011 By

As furnaces are switched on for the season, some Iowans may be a bit leery of looming utility bills, but industry officials say supplies of natural gas are plentiful as we head into November. Chris McGill, with the American Gas Association, says the U.S. Department of Energy’s Winter Fuels Outlook bodes well for the season ahead.

McGill says, “We’re looking at a combination of abundant domestic gas production, healthy storage levels of gas ready to be brought in when the weather gets cold and we’re looking at relatively mild temperatures which will make for little change to consumers’ gas bills this winter compared to last year.”

McGill says he’s heard projections about the winter ahead that range from mild to brutal. “Even the brutal one is saying that compared to last year, it should be a little bit warmer than it was,” he says. “The weather, unless there’s a specific event that occurs, should not play much of a factor impacting gas bills to the customer.”

McGill says while supplies are plentiful now, that wasn’t the case in the 1970s when there was a 40-year supply of natural gas. People started to conserve, insulate their homes and buy fuel-efficient furnaces. Without conservation, he says, we would be in much worse shape.

“We’re now looking at a 100-year supply of gas so instead of natural gas being a bridge fuel to renewables, we’re looking at gas as a foundation fuel,” he says. “It can be used in residential, commercial, industrial and electric utility level and now moving into the transportation as well.”

 McGill says had consumers not conserved 40 years ago, we would be paying $600 a year more for natural gas service.

Filed Under: Business, News, Weather Tagged With:

Today is final day for hero nominations

October 31, 2011 By

Today marks the deadline for Iowans to nominate a person they consider to be a “hero” for possible recognition during the upcoming Iowa/Nebraska football game. The American Red Cross and Hy-Vee will present the “Heroes Game” award to one Iowan and one Nebraskan at halftime of the game. Red Cross spokesperson Danelle Schlegelmilch says they’re looking to recognize common citizens.

“It can be someone who has performed extraordinary acts of courage or someone who has dedicated a lot of hours to a cause,” Schlegelmilch said. “We’re really looking for everyone to join in and submit someone who has really made a difference in their lives.” Nominations must be submitted by midnight tonight. Nomination forms are available at Hy-Vee stores or on-line at www.redcrossomaha.org or www.hy-vee.com.

Nominees must be at least 18 years of age, live or lived in Iowa or Nebraska – or had the event or incident occur in Iowa or Nebraska. Committees organized by Red Cross officials in both Iowa and Nebraska will select five finalists in each state for the award.

“From there, we’ll go to the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska and they will both pick their one winner from each state. Each winner will get four free tickets to the game and they will also get to go on the field at halftime to receive this special award,” Schlegelmilch said.

 The two heroes will have their names inscribed on the game trophy. The November 25 game, to be played in Lincoln, marks the first time Iowa and Nebraska will play each other as Big Ten Conference opponents.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News Tagged With: , ,

Cain the new Romney challenger in Iowa

October 31, 2011 By

The Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” released this weekend shows a new candidate has emerged as a leading challenger to Mitt Romney in Iowa. Former Godfather’s Pizza executive Herman Cain had 23 percent support in the poll. Romney had 22 percent. Ron Paul was in third place, with 12 percent.

Paul campaigned in Iowa on Saturday, speaking to the National Federation of Republican Assemblies. 

“We need to wake up and, in many ways as a country — not so much those of you in this audience,” Paul said, with a laugh, “but this country needs to wake up and quit lying to itself whether it’s on the economics or the foreign policy.”

Paul, who described the NFRA as the “constitutional wing” of the Republican Party, won the group’s straw poll.  Michele Bachmann was in fourth place in The Register’s latest Iowa Poll, a fall from the paper’s June polling which found her in a dead heat with Romney. Bachmann made a campaign swing through eastern Iowa this past weekend, making a “dire” prediction for the country if Barack Obama is elected to a second term.  

“This election is it.” Bachmann said in Oskaloosa Saturday. “I think this is it for the country. We have to get a grip.”

Rick Santorum garnered just five percent support in the Iowa Poll, but he continues to criss-cross the state in hopes of convincing Iowans to back him in the Caucuses. 

“It’s not surprising that you’ll find me here.  I’ve spent a lot of time in Iowa. By the end of this week, I will have  hit all the counties in Iowa. That’s 99, by the way,” Santorum told an audience in Des Moines on Saturday. 

Texas Governor Rick Perry entered the race with great fanfare, but after stumbling in televised debates, Perry secured just seven percent support in the newspaper’s survey.  His wife, Anita, campaigned in Iowa over the weekend. She suggested the debates are doing the candidates a disservice.  

“You know, it gives an opportunity for infighting within the party,” Anita Perry said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “It doesn’t look good for the party.”

On Tuesday, five candidates Perry, Paul, Bachmann, Santorum and Newt Gingrich — will appear at a forum in Pella. The event is hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers.

Filed Under: Campaign Countdown, Featured Story, News, Politics & Government Tagged With: ,

Pheasant season opens with bird numbers down again

October 29, 2011 By

Pheasant rooster. (courtesy Iowa DNR)

As many as 70,000 hunters will hit Iowa’s fields and forests this morning for the start of pheasant season.

Todd Bogenschutz, a biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says it’ll be a challenging season ahead as the state’s pheasant numbers are falling.

“We are down again, unfortunately, particularly across the northern third of the state,” Bogenschutz says. Populations are unchanged or up slightly elsewhere but he says, “It’s still going to be a tough year to find birds.”

He says most pheasant hunting regulations remain the same compared to last year. One change is the new walk-in program for habitat access. Several properties have been signed up for this season covering some 1,400 acres.

They’re all listed on the D.N.R. website, www.dnr.gov.

Bogenschutz says hunters should know the rules of safety when hitting the field, like wearing blaze orange. “Be cognizant of where the other hunters are,” he says. “Set a plan if you’re hunting with a group and don’t deviate from it. Everybody be where they’re supposed to be. It’s a pheasant. It’s not worth getting shot over.”

The season runs through January 10th.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City

 

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation Tagged With:
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