Friday, February 28, 2014

2013 BCEDC Annual Report: Nurturing a #NewEra


Instilling Opportunities from economic developments efforts in 2012 led Buchanan County Economic Development to steward the cultivating efforts for growth opportunities in Buchanan County and the Cedar Valley Region. For 2013 the key efforts in Buchanan County and the Cedar Valley had great opportunity 
for growth with advances relating to educating the current and future workforce. This was seen primarily with the opening of the new Independence Junior/ Senior High School and expansion of school facilities in Jesup. Local school districts explored and implemented efforts to better connect students with local business 
leaders and the cultivation of 21st Century/ Soft Skills into their curriculum efforts. Skilled Iowa efforts have also taken hold in Buchanan County as one of the leaders in the region when it comes to member businesses supporting the statewide effort. On a political level changes took place on local boards of education, 
and most pounced was great change in elected city leadership across the county, especially in Independence. 

A new era was nurtured in 2013 that should ignite more growth in 2014. A monumental collaborative effort to bring Community Main Street to the county seat created great momentum to reignite the downtown district in Independence. Jesup also moved forward in the construction of an assisted living complex that 
should open up single family homes that will nurture growth in that community. While a family owned company in Winthrop purchased the closed plastics plant and reinvested in the facility to offer much needed warehouse and office space to the county area. The BCEDC also strengthened collaborative partnerships 
in the Cedar Valley Region and created new ones with other neighboring communities on US Highway 20. The joint efforts inside OFFICE 112 grew over the last year with combined efforts in business and community promotion. 

Nurturing a #NewEra in Buchanan County had its challenges, however team work and cooperation played important roles to lead the community into a progressive time in Buchanan County
and the Cedar Valley Region.

Read the full annual report