ICAD Group's Workplace Culture Initiative Wins Economic Development Award
TEAM Centered Workplace Concept Gaining More Members

The Mid-America Economic Development Council presented its annual Economic Development awards at the 2014 Mid-America Competitiveness Conference & Site Selector Forum, held December 7-9 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, and the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group Received First Place in the Business Retention and Expansion Category for their entry "Making Iowa City and Iowa's Creative Corridor a Hub for Workplace Culture."

Mark Nolte, ICAD Group's President, said this initiative stems from data collected through its annual existing industry survey.  "As we came out of the recession, we started to see a greater divide among area companies struggling for workers, losing workforce, and those who had unfavorable opinions on local workforce, versus companies that were seeing year-over-year growth," said Nolte.  "In fact, we noticed that companies that were showing high value and low risk scores were also receiving accolades as some of the "fastest growing" and "best places to work" in our region, so workplace culture became a priority."

In June of 2013, ICAD Group launched a series of workplace culture programs to help employers realize that today's workers have a choice in companies, locations and communities, and culture plays a key role.

Included in that programming were visits from Hagie Manufacturing, an agriculture implement manufacturer in Clarion, Iowa, to share their story of transformational culture and rethinking the work environment to attract talented people; promoting World Blu's "Democtratic Workplaces" certification for companies in the region (3 area companies were certified this past year); and the full-day Workplace (R)evolution conference, held this past summer in Cedar Rapids, that attracted attendees representing more than 70 companies from throughout Iowa's Creative Corridor.

Plans are in place for Workplace (R)evolution 2015 in Iowa City and a workplace culture educational series at Kirkwood Community College. Additionally, a workplace culture coalition has since formed in the region known as TEAM, a concept promoted by ICAD Group and Diversity Focus.  With TEAM, companies declare their intent to become TEAM Centered Workplaces and work toward greater internal collaboration and employee autonomy, through Trust, Enjoyment, Accountability and Managing the Whole Person.

Linda Barnes, Vice President of Organizational Agility for Geonetric, says creating a great workplace culture is critical to attracting and retaining top employees. "ICAD Group's TEAM concept brings that to life," said Barnes. "Being part of a coalition that meets monthly to share ideas and practices is invaluable as we grow our company here in the Corridor."

The TEAM Centered Workplace coalition currently consists of 24 regional employers and continues to add new members monthly.  Participating employers are in varied disciplines, from banking to educational testing, software design to advanced manufacturing, with operations/offices in all seven counties of Iowa's Creative Corridor.

"When MediRevv first learned about the TEAM initiative founded by our partners at ICAD Group, we immediately saw the value to our organization as well as the opportunity to our Creative Corridor community," added Brad Baldwin, Vice President of Operations at MediRevv.  "The ideals of the TEAM initiative are foundational to building the human capital it takes to win in our business.  While our mindset at MediRevv was already geared towards these principles, the TEAM initiative has allowed us to continue our momentum and share the ROI of our investments we experienced internally with our community partners."

Companies looking to learn more about TEAM Centered Workplaces can visit www.icadgroup.com/team.

Is it ever too late to plan for retirement? No, as long as you're willing to be thrifty and extend your working years and be mindful of your individual and employer-based retirement savings options. Building a successful, comfortable retirement depends on a variety of individual factors, including where you live, how long you plan to work, your health and your other investments and assets.

The IRS recently announced an update for your options, including cost-of-living adjustments that will give many taxpayers the advantage of putting more away during 2015. Here's a summary:

• Regular contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal employee Thrift Savings Plan. Increased from $17,500 (for tax year 2014) to $18,000 (for tax year 2015). The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 in these plans is increased from $5,500 to $6,000. Contribution deadline: Dec. 31.
• Annual contribution limits, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). For both traditional and Roth IRAs, the annual contribution limit is not subject to a cost-of-living adjustment and remains at $5,500. The over-50 catch-up contribution amount is $1,000. There are particular restrictions (http://www.irs.gov/publications/p590/index.html) based on income levels, workplace retirement plan coverage among other issues. Contribution deadline: April 15.
• Higher 2015 income phase-out levels for traditional IRA contributions. For singles covered by a workplace retirement plan, the 2015 cutoff is now increased to a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $61,000 and $71,000. The IRS website details other significant increases and updates in phase-out levels for married couples and singles.
• Higher 2015 income phase-out levels for Roth IRA contributions. The IRS website also updates higher phase-out levels for married and single taxpayers on its website. For married couples filing jointly, the 2015 level is now $183,000 to $193,000.

Here's what you can do if you're in your 50s and you haven't yet saved much for retirement:

• Get qualified financial advice. Organizations such as the Association for Financial Counseling Planning and Education (http://members.afcpe.org/search), Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards list qualified financial advisors, and your state CPA society can suggest tax professionals in your area.
• Budget and downsize. Want to retire? Start living like a retiree while you're still working. Most experts believe late starters (50 and over) need to put away at least 10 percent of gross income to start making headway. Create a realistic budget, trim debt and consider cheaper housing, transportation and lifestyle options.
• Take advantage of "catch-up" contribution limits. Retirement savers over the age of 50 have the option to put more away not only in traditional and Roth IRAs but also 401(k) plans - not including SIMPLE 401(k)s, 403(b) plans, SARSEP and 457(b) plans (see Annual contribution limits, IRAs above).
• Keep working...strategically. If you're lucky, you love your work or are in a position to change careers to one with better retirement savings options. If so, consult an expert on ways to keep earning and investing effectively.

Bottom line: The government's cost-of-living adjustments will allow you to save more for retirement in 2015, but don't wait until then to evaluate your goals to set - or reset - your retirement planning going forward.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Several Iowans, including leaders of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and Iowa Soybean Association, are in the nation's capital today drumming up support for the biodiesel tax incentive.

The National Biodiesel Board organized a Washington, D.C. Fly-in to lobby for reinstatement of the $1-per-gallon biodiesel blenders tax credit, which expired on Dec. 31, 2013. The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a package of tax incentives retroactively for 2014 on Wednesday night that includes the credit and other deductions that would benefit farmers and Iowa's economy.

The measure now moves to the Senate. NBB officials say if the one-year package passes, any 2015 discussions will be punted to next year.

Biodiesel supporters say the fly-in couldn't have come at a better time to help ensure passage. State soybean leaders and biodiesel advocates met with their U.S. senators and representatives or key aids to explain why the biodiesel credit is needed, along with other provisions in the bill.

"We had good meetings. Everyone is supportive," said Grant Kimberley, IBB executive director. "While we were hoping for a multi-year extension, something is better than nothing. But there's still uncertainty going forward.

This is the fourth time in the last six years the credit has expired for America's Advanced Biofuel.

"Federal policy is important to compete in an established industry," he said. "Otherwise, it's hard to make investments and grow."

Kimberley, Karey Claghorn, ISA chief operating officer and T.J. Page of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association led the Iowa delegation. Others include Bill Horan, Jeff Johannesmeyer and Denny Mauser of Western Iowa Energy and Tom Brooks of Western Dubuque Biodiesel.

Even though Iowa lawmakers support renewable fuels and agriculture, Kimberley said it's important to thank them for their support and arm them with information so they can talk to colleagues about why the credit is important. Recently elected lawmakers were sent letters on the topic, he said.

"With the uncertainty of the RFS (Renewable Fuels Standard) and low commodity prices, it's absolutely critical Congress moves forward with the extenders bill to help biodiesel continue to diversify the nation's energy supply and provide economic benefits," Kimberley said. "We do know that Iowa biodiesel plants aren't running at capacity and some have reduced staff. We're not maximizing our potential."

The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a nonpartisan state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DomiKnow, Inc.® (OTC:DMNO) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Mark White, the company's CFO, and Jeff Jensen, an experienced financial industry executive, to its Board of Directors.

Mr. White joined the company in May of 2014 and has helped to lead a financial and business restructuring of the company over the past several months.

Mr. Jensen brings a wealth of business experience in the mortgage financing market in senior management leadership positions and is expected to take an active role in the restructuring of the company business model.

Mr. White and Mr. Jensen replaced Brian Webber and Brenda Webber (formerly Brenda Brenmark), each of whom resigned from the board in October of 2014.

Commenting on the board changes, Mike Kemery, CEO, said, "I have worked with and am familiar with the work of both Mr. Jensen and Mr. White. They are both extremely talented individuals with extensive business leadership experience. We at DomiKnow, Inc. are thrilled to have them on our Board of Directors."

Mark White: Mr. White, currently CFO of DomiKnow, Inc., is an experienced entrepreneur and executive in the consumer goods manufacturing, renewable energy and technology spaces. He holds an undergraduate economics degree from the University of Michigan.

Jeff Jensen: Mr. Jensen has over 29 years of financial services industry experience including several leadership roles, most recently as President of Mortgage Compliance Advisors, Inc. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa.

About DomiKnow, Inc.

DomiKnow, Inc. (OTC:DMNO) is a digital marketing company serving small business by deploying sophisticated tools and tactics using big data normally only affordable by large companies. It is based in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information: http://domiknow.com