Greater Dubuque 2022 Progress Report

Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Schmid Innovation Center 900 Jackson St., Suite 109, Dubuque, IA 52001 | 563.557.9049 | www.greaterdubuque.org

October 2017

JAYNE ERVOLINOAdministrative Assistant

BILL BAUMExisting Business Specialist*

ROB APELExisting Business Specialist*

DAVE LYONSSustainable InnovationsConsultant*

NELSON KLAVITTERCommunity Tour Guide*

RICK DICKINSONPresident & CEO

DAN MCDONALDVP of Existing Business

KRISTIN DIETZELVP of Workforce Solutions

KAREN KLUESNERVP of Operations

EMILY GRAVES Director of Communications

MANDI MOHRWorkforce Solutions Coordinator

CHRIS APELCommunity Tour Guide*

RENEE MEYERCommunity Tour Guide*

* Contractor or Part-time Staff

GREATER DUBUQUE 2022 PROSPECTUS RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONThe Greater Dubuque Development Corporation received a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for the Greater Dubuque 2022 Campaign Prospectus Brochure, in the category of Special Purpose Print Brochure from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). A record 650 submittals in 24 categories made 2017 more competitive than ever. The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 19 during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held September 17–20 in Toronto, Canada. Congratulations to Emily Graves, our Director of Communications, and McCullough Creative for their internationally recognized work. To view the Greater Dubuque 2022 prospectus, visit our website at greaterdubuque.org.

FLEXSTEEL BREAKS GROUND ON NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY

Representatives from Flexsteel Industries, the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, and Greater Dubuque Development welcomed a large crowd to the new site of the $25 million manufacturing facility in the Dubuque Industrial Center South at a ground breaking held Monday, October 2, 2017. The 22-acre site has begun development for the state-of-the-art facility that will retain more than 200 jobs in the community. Flexsteel estimates construction to be completed in late 2018 when operations will be moved from the current location on Jackson Street. Comments offered by Karel Czanderna, President and CEO of Flexsteel; Joyce Connors, City of Dubuque Council Member and Mayor pro tem; Jay Wickham, Dubuque County Supervisor; and Rick Dickinson, President and CEO of Greater Dubuque Development all echoed that the success of this project could not have been done without the collaboration of public and private entities. By working together, this manufacturer of the finest upholstered and wood furniture for residential, office, hospitality, health care, and recreational vehicles will continue in the Dubuque area. The hard work of Flexsteel management and its employees, United Steelworkers Local 1861, Teamsters Local 120, Operating Engineers Local 234, the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Dubuque Initiatives, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority have made this new facility a reality in Dubuque.

existing business

Construction has begun on Flexsteel’s 22-acre site in the Dubuque Industrial Center South.

The ground breaking for the new manufacturing facility drew a large crowd on October 2, 2017. The site is located at 501 Seippel Road.

Employees from Flexsteel were on hand to perform the ceremonial ground breaking.

GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER October 2017 | 2

ANNUAL LUNCHEON HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN A GROWING BUSINESS COMMUNITYThe City of Dubuque is hosting the second annual Arts and Business Luncheon on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the Grand River Center. Local businesses and arts organizations are invited to attend to learn more about the relationship between arts and business and the shared impact they have on the community. The theme for the event is “From Philanthropy to Investment: Aligning Arts and Business Strategies to Support Economic Vitality and Growth” and will feature a keynote address by Kristin Larsen, executive director of the Arts and Business Council of Chicago, and Linda Carlisle, corporate communications manager for Elkay Manufacturing. Their presentation will explore how businesses can engage with creative organizations while increasing workforce retention and engagement. Jake Schneider, CEO of Cartegraph will also present.

workforce solutions

TO LEARN MORE OR REGISTER:Visit www.cityofdubuque.org/307/Arts-Culture

WHEN: Thursday, November 2, 2017, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.WHERE: Grand River Center, 500 Bell Street

FY2016–2017 ANNUAL INFOACTION SUMMARY NOW AVAILABLEA critical part of our Business Retention and Expansion efforts is the InfoAction program. Our staff conducts over 340 face-to-face interviews with area business owners, CEOs, and top managers. The interviews provide boots-on-the-ground information on the business climate in the Greater Dubuque area as well as actionable data to guide our work maximizing opportunities for regional business. The data provided through these interviews remains confidential but we compile quarterly and annual summaries for our business partners and the public to review. The 2016-2017 summary is now available. Visit our website’s InfoAction page or click to review the summary.

FY2016–2017 ANNUAL HR ACTION SUMMARY NOW AVAILABLEThrough its award-winning HR Action program, Workforce Solutions staff conducted 66 on-site interviews last fiscal year with local HR professionals. The confidential interview focuses specifically on workforce—from recruitment processes to retention programs to quality of workforce to training. The goal is simple: to better understand and quantify the workforce trends identified by HR professionals to drive community response and action. The FY16–17 Action Dashboard is a snapshot of some of the most important data gathered from the HR Action program.

ACCESSDUBUQUEJOBS.COM UPDATE

• Berry Global, Inc.• Cottingham & Butler• DDI, Inc.• Green Industrial Supply, Inc.• HCR ManorCare Health Services• Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans

Renewed Investors

• 3 Willows Wellness Center• Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA• River Bend Retirement Community• Uelner Precision Tools & Dies

New Investors

• Access Systems• First Community Trust• Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois• Webber Metal Products

Declined Investors

• Medline Industries, Inc.• Oak Park Place of Dubuque• Operation: New View Community Action Agency• RPS Benefits• Sisters of the Presentation of the BVM

GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER October 2017 | 3

newcomer servicesDISTINCTIVELY DUBUQUE 2018 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEDENCOURAGE NEWCOMERS TO REGISTER EARLY, SESSIONS FILLING QUICKLY

You’ve recruited, now retain your new employees by encouraging them to take the free Distinctively Dubuque class. The popular class was started in 2010 as a way to welcome newcomers to the community. It was started as a grassroots effort by Greater Dubuque Development and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) to help newcomers learn more about their new community in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. It is offered four times a year, in five-night sessions, from 5:30 to 8:30 on Wednesday evenings.

Sessions are held at different locations around the community, with a delicious meal provided by area restaurants and caterers. Local volunteer speakers present on various topics, sharing their enthusiasm for and knowledge of Dubuque. Classes also feature fun activities that helps participants learn more about each other.

Registration for this free class has been filling quickly! Encourage newcomers to sign up early in order to ensure they are able to attend. If sessions are full, newcomers can place their name on the waiting list, should a space become available.

TO LEARN MORE OR REGISTER:Attendees can contact our partner, NICC, at 563-557-8271,ext. 380, or register online at www.nicc.edu/solutions, using the search words “Distinctively Dubuque”.

2018 SESSIONS: January 31–February 28 March 21–April 15 August 22–September 19 September 26–October 24

Top: Participants learn about local foods and sustainability from area experts hosted at Convivium Urban Farmstead. Bottom: A tour via trolley highlights new development in the North End, including the Bee Branch Creek Restoration.

Monthly Relocation Guide Distribution

FY 17-18 July August September October November December January February March April May June Total

To Individuals 21 54 19 94

To Businesses 42 68 31 141

Combined 63 122 50 235

FY 17-18 July August September October November December January February March April May June Total

Individuals 19 25 18 62

Newcomer Services Assistance

Community Tours

FY 17-18 July August September October November December January February March April May June Total

Tours Conducted

11 13 10 34

Employers Assisted

YTD 17-18 25

Distinctively Dubuque Participants

2016 August/September October/November February/March April/May Total

Individuals FY 17-18 29 29 58

**Number of Employers Participating YTD FY 17-18: 23

MAP OF RELOCATION GUIDES DISTRIBUTED TO INDIVIDUALS IN SEPTEMBER 2017

+ LONDON, ENGLAND

GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER October 2017 | 4

national marketing

STARTUP DUBUQUE FY2016–2017 RECAPStartUp Dubuque, the partnership between Greater Dubuque Development and Northeast Iowa Community College, East Central Intergovernmental Association, and Small Business Development Center has released the FY 16–17 data on client visits and counseling hours. StartUp Dubuque provides entrepreneurial counseling, business plan development, and access to resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

startup dubuque

GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTS COMMUNITY AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEOn September 17–20, 2017, Rick Dickinson, President and CEO, attended the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) annual meeting held in Toronto. The IEDC is the largest nonprofit professional organization for economic development in the world. While at the conference, Rick met with site locators, economic development partners, and service providers to further develop ways to maximize opportunities for the Greater Dubuque area.

993 HOURS OF CLIENT COUNSELING

219 CLIENTS FROM DUBUQUE COUNTY

goals & progressJOB CREATION UPDATE

The resident unemployment rate for August 2017 was reported as 3.1% and non-farm employment was 58,800.

SOURCE: Estimates from Iowa Workforce Development (sampling error +/- 7.5% @ 95% confidence level.)

OCTOBER 19TH Diwali (Hindu)

upcoming religious celebrations & cultural events

NOVEMBER 23RD Thanksgiving (United States - Secular)

GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER October 2017 | 5

goals & progress

NEW CONSTRUCTION UPDATESince the beginning of the Greater Dubuque 2022 Campaign (7/1/17 through 9/30/17), Residential construction totals $51,708,302.

Commercial construction totals $43,608,365. Total construction totals $95,316,667.

SOURCE: City of Dubuque and Dubuque County, incorporated and unincorporated.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME UPDATEAs of December 2016, the median household income for Dubuque County was reported as $54,605.

SOURCE: American Community Survey 5-year Estimates (2011-2015)Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec YTD

2012-Benchmark $20.77 $22.03 $22.40 $22.87 $22.85 $22.61 $22.82 $22.34 $22.55 $23.08 $23.75 $24.78 $22.76

2013-Year 1 $23.82 $23.02 $23.32 $23.29 $23.73 $23.77 $22.70 $22.82 $23.63 $23.30 $23.26 $23.91 $23.38

2014-Year 2 $23.62 $23.53 $23.11 $22.73 22.16 22.39 22.21 22.74 23.19 23.69 22.95 24.00 $23.02

2015-Year 3 $23.87 $25.33 $24.85 $24.90 24.58 24.08 24.41 25.17 24.32 26.03 24.53 23.57 24.64

2016-Year 4 $22.53 $22.68 $22.68 $22.24 22.82 22.50 22.16 22.24 22.46

2017-Year 5

GOAL $18.00+

NEXT | Progress Tracking | Wage LevelsSOURCE: Current Employment Statistics (CES)

UPDATED: 10.21.16

$18.50$19.00$19.50$20.00$20.50$21.00$21.50$22.00$22.50$23.00$23.50$24.00$24.50$25.00$25.50$26.00$26.50

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

DUBUQUE COUNTY WAGE LEVEL | GOAL: $18.00+

2012-Benchmark 2013-Year 1 2014-Year 2 2015-Year 3 2016-Year 4 2017-Year 5

CURRENT: $22.46

2016 - Benchmark 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Median Household Income $54,605.00

GOAL 60,000

Greater Dubuque 2022 | Progress Tracking | Median Household IncomeSOURCE: American Community Survey (Yearly)

UPDATED: 07.01.17

$51,500$52,000$52,500$53,000$53,500$54,000$54,500$55,000$55,500$56,000$56,500$57,000$57,500$58,000$58,500$59,000$59,500$60,000$60,500$61,000$61,500

2 0 1 6 - B E N C H M A R K 2 0 1 7 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1

DUBUQUE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME| GOAL: $60,000

Median Household Income

CURRENT: 54,605

GREATER DUBUQUE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER October 2017 | 6

2016 - Benchmark 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021Population Total 97,003

GOAL 100,000

Greater Dubuque 2022 | Progress Tracking | Population GrowthSOURCE: U.S. Census (Yearly)

UPDATED: 03.23.17

92,000

94,000

96,000

98,000

2 0 1 6 - B E N C H M A R K 2 0 1 7 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1

DUBUQUE COUNTY POPULATION GROWTH | GOAL: 100,000

Population Total

POPULATION GROWTH UPDATEThe population benchmark for Dubuque County is 93,653. As of April 2016, the population was 97,003.

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

goals & progress