$45 Million in New Market Tax Credits Now Available to Iowa Developers Iowa Business Growth Company Will Administer Funds to Improve Iowa's Economic Health
JOHNSTON, Iowa - Iowa Business Growth Company announced today that Iowa Community Development (ICD) has received a $45 million New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the United States Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The NMTC program spurs new and increased investments in low-income communities by giving tax credits to operating businesses and real estate projects.
"NMTCs help revitalize low-income communities and increase employment opportunities," said Dennis Murdock, ICD chairman. "ICD is pleased to once again have these funds to help entrepreneurs and developers invest in the state of Iowa."
This is the fifth time ICD has received an NMTC allocation, for a total of $245 million in tax credits. Iowa Business Growth Company administers the tax credit program for ICD.
"NMTCs have been instrumental in our efforts to attract and retain projects that improve the economic health of Iowa as it competes with other states for these investments," said Daniel Robeson, Iowa Business Growth Company president.
Since the NMTC program's inception in 2000, Iowa Community Development has awarded NMTC tax credits to 19 projects in 15 different communities in Iowa. One such project was the 2013 construction and expansion of a manufacturing facility by Winegard Company in Burlington, Iowa. Winegard manufactures TV reception products.
"NMTC funded $12 million of the $17 million Winegard project," Robeson said. "The expansion resulted in the creation of 70 new full-time jobs, and the retention of 320  jobs and 200 contract positions - which is very meaningful in a rural community with high poverty and unemployment rates."
Iowa Business Growth Company is a certified development company that assists businesses throughout the state with alternative financing through various programs, including NMTC and Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans. Businesses interested in applying for NMTC funding can contact Daniel Robeson at 515-223-4511 or Dan@IowaBusinessGrowth.com.
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Plan to prepare working Iowans for careers in demand has certified 45,000 individuals through National Career Readiness Certificate

 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined by Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert at the administration's weekly press conference as they celebrated the successes of the Skilled Iowa Initiative, two years after its launch in June 2012. The Skilled Iowa Initiative has had impacts across every county in Iowa, far greater than originally imagined.  To date, over 10,000 Iowa businesses have signed on in support of the initiative and over 45,000 Iowans have certified their skill sets through the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

"Skilled Iowa has made tremendous strides across the state, realizing success in areas beyond the traditional workforce, which is positioning Iowa - and hardworking Iowans - for continued success for years to come," said Branstad. "The Skilled Iowa Initiative is helping Iowa businesses identify capable and qualified employees, and giving working Iowans an opportunity to demonstrate the extent of their skillset with a recognized accomplishment - the National Career Readiness Certificate."

One of the cornerstones of the Skilled Iowa Initiative is the internship program, a unique opportunity that connects unemployed Iowans with training opportunities at Iowa businesses.  The individuals receive a new transferrable skill through an internship that provides on-the-job training in conjunction with basic skill development all while maintaining unemployment benefits.  To date, over 300 unique internship opportunities have been utilized by unemployed Iowans and those receiving public assistance.  Fifty-five percent of the internships have resulted in offers of full-time permanent job opportunities.

"With $8.8 billion in private capital investment coming to Iowa since 2011, Governor Branstad and I knew there would be tremendous opportunities for working Iowans to apply their unique skillsets in high-quality careers," said Reynolds. "The innovative Skilled Iowa Initiative helps workers prepare to fill the jobs that are being created all across Iowa."

"The Skilled Iowa Initiative is a perfect demonstration of working together to improve the Iowa economy without concern for politics," stated Bill Knapp, who helped launch the initiative in 2012.  "Governor Branstad and Director Wahlert through Skilled Iowa, and especially the internship portion, have done much to achieve success for the initiative."

The Skilled Iowa Initiative targeted the future workforce during the second year.  The goal was to connect high school students with growing high-tech, high-demand occupations in Iowa.  To date, over 7,000 Iowa high school students have taken the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) assessment, and several students achieved the platinum status.  They join the less than three hundred Iowans who have attained platinum.

"Our students are critical to tomorrow's workforce," stated Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development.  "By embedding the work critical skills of applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information into the high schools, our students are receiving a sound platform to begin further education and employment."

The Skilled Iowa Initiative strives to create Skilled Iowa Communities across the state.  Des Moines County was the first area to become a Skilled Iowa Community and was quickly followed by others across the state.  To date, the Skilled Iowa Community designation has also been given to Union County, Ringgold County, Adams County, Jones County, Monona County, Lucas County, Keokuk County, Washington County and the City of Onawa.  In order to become a Skilled Iowa Community, the area must meet the following metrics: 10 percent of the employers covering at least 20 percent of the areas employment must be Skilled Iowa Members, 5 percent of the current labor force has achieve the NCRC certification, and 20 percent of the transitioning labor force must receive the NCRC certification.

The Skilled Iowa Initiative has gained national attention for its success from the National Governor's Association and other states looking to implement a similar program.  For more information on the Skilled Iowa Initiative, visit http://www.skillediowa.org/.

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Community-focused Bank Changes Name

MOLINE, Illinois, - June 6, 2014 - THE National Bank, a full-service community bank and member of the Triumph Bancorp, Inc. group of companies, announced today that it is changing its name to Triumph Community Bank, N.A. effective June 30.

"Although our name is changing, we are still the same community-focused bank that will continue to deliver top-notch service to our customers," said John DeDoncker, president and CEO of THE National Bank. "The name Triumph Community Bank not only unites the bank with our parent company, Triumph Bancorp, but it also removes some of the confusion around the spelling and location of our company. Not to mention, adding the word 'community' reinforces the fact that our friends, neighbors and members of the local community have always been at the core of our business. They will continue to be our focus for the long haul."

Exterior updates to ATMs around the Quad Cities area have already started. Throughout the summer, signs, forms and other communication materials will also be updated with the new name and logo. Although the bank will be operating with a new name, employees, products and services will remain the same.

"Customers do not need to do anything as part of this name change. Our new brand promise, 'Here for Life,' speaks to what we offer - financial services for all phases of life. Our goal is to make lives easier. Checkbooks, deposit slips, debit and credit cards, bill payment services, mobile banking, ATM cards and PINs will continue to work as they always have. Staff will also remain the same at the bank locations," DeDoncker said.

The bank is also introducing a new URL, http://www.bankwithtriumph.com, which is set to launch on June 30. Users will still be able to access THE National Bank's website for full online banking services at https://www.thenb.com.

If customers have questions about this change they can call their local branch or the corporate office at 563-344-3935, or drop by one of their 19 locations throughout Illinois and Iowa. A list of FAQs on the transition to the new name is available at https://www.thenb.com under "Quick Links" on the lower left of the home page.

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About Triumph Community Bank

Triumph Community Bank, formerly known as THE National Bank, is a full-service community bank headquartered in Moline, Illinois. Additional branches are located in Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa; Canton, Chadwick, East Moline, Elgin, Havana, Milan, Morrison, Mount Carroll, Rapids City, Savanna, Silvis and Sterling, Illinois. Triumph Community Bank, member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, offers personal checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, money market, HSA, IRA and business accounts, as well as consumer, commercial and mortgage loans. Triumph Community Bank is a subsidiary of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. a financial holding company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with interests in commercial and community banking. For more information, visit https://www.thenb.com.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Triumph Bancorp Inc.'s or THE National Bank's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance or achievements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and neither Triumph Bancorp Inc. nor THE National Bank assumes any duty to update forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed name change discussed herein and the company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: (i) the possibility that the benefits of the contemplated name change are not realized and (ii) diversion of management time on issues related to the contemplated name change.

 

 

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Against All Odds Determined Disabled Veteran Completes Training to Become First Blind Salesforce.com Administrator, Giving Hope to New Recruits

Washington, DC, June 6, 2014 - The Veterans Workshop is proud to announce the successful Salesforce.com Administrator Certification of Blind American Veteran Richard Holleman, USS Navy, 1980-1984. Working closely with David Butcher of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation; Holleman was determined to find employment and enroll in a training program offered through the Veterans Workshop that teaches blind veterans a new skill.

"Mr. Butcher told me about the Veterans Workshop program," stated Holleman, "being able to take the classes virtually on-line in the company of other Veterans was a perfect fit for me."  Richard Holleman, who is blind, faced many challenges to finding fulltime work.  "I investigated a lot of programs and researched other opportunities before landing on the Veterans Workshop Salesforce.com Administrator certification class. The guidance and camaraderie from my fellow Veterans was amazing, and helped me succeed."

"The mission of the Veterans Workshop is to open doors for disabled veterans not close them," states Hilary Snyder, US Marine and Veterans Workshop program manager.  "Our main objective is to provide opportunities and find corporate partners who share our vision, like Salesforce.com to deliver results. The Veterans Workshop training program would not be a success without the support of our technical partners like Salesforce.com!"

Throughout the 10 week training, Richard Holleman was amazed by the skills he gained.  He became proficient in Salesforce.com, Microsoft Word, Adobe, Pardot automated marketing and utilized the tools available in Google+.  Holleman added, "The training was extremely beneficial and I would highly recommend it to any Veteran!"

About Veterans Workshop: The Veterans Workshop (VW) is a 501(c)(3) veteran operated non-profit organization. The organization's innovative online job training program through the Veterans Vocational Technical Institute are designed specifically to meet the needs of disabled veterans. The organization also raises funds for service and rehabilitation work in connection with the US Department of Veterans Affairs and other corporate technology partners.  Learn more at www.vetsworkshop.org.

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Congressman Dave Loebsack will tour various businesses and meet with employees

The tour begins at Schneid's at 205 Washington Ave. in Lowden at  12:15pm

The tour continues when Congressman Loebsack visits the Camanche Fire Department and meets with volunteer firefighters and highlights the recent USDA Rural Development grant award that was used to purchase defibrillators and cardiovascular equipment. This will take place at the Camanche Fire  Department at 720 9th Avenue in Camanche at  3:00pm.

The tour finishes up when Congressman Loebsack speaks at Clinton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinnereaks at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner.  This will be held at   Rastrelli's Restaurant, 238 Main Avenue in Clinton at  5:30pm.

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Iowa Fraud Fighters - Shield Your Savings Public Education Program
Who: Iowa Insurance Division and other state agency partners. Presenters and panelists:
  • Tom Alger, Iowa Insurance Division Communications Director
  • Kevin McCarthy, Iowa Assistant Attorney General
  • Paige Thorson, Iowa Department on Aging Legal Assistant
  • Patty Price, Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Training and Education Coordinator
Why cover it? Informative and emotional human-interest stories. Con artists are targeting Americans age 60 and older, swindling more than 5 million Americans out of a $3 billion each year. This is the sixth forum in the state. At past forums, we've had very vocal seniors willing to share their stories with the press. Some have brought documentation of scams and the AG has opened up cases at forums. From RSVPs, we anticipate 150 in attendance.
When: Thursday, June 5
11:30 a.m.: Registration & information tables
Noon: Lunch
12:30 p.m.: Presentations and Q&A panel
1:30 p.m.: Information tables
2 p.m.: Adjourn
Where: The RiverCenter, 136 E. Third Street, Davenport
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Each year when Father's Day rolls around, I'm reminded that I wouldn't trade the experience of raising my two kids for the world. But when I think back to how naïve my wife and I once were about the costs of raising children, I can't help wishing we'd been better prepared.

If you're a new dad, or about to become one, you'd better sit down. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a typical middle-income family can expect to spend over $241,000 to raise a newborn child until age 18 - and that doesn't even include prenatal care or college costs.

Right now, you're probably more worried about getting enough sleep than funding your retirement. But at some point, you'll need to plot out a financial roadmap to ensure your family's future financial security. As one dad to another, here are a few strategies I've learned that can help:

Start saving ASAP. It's hard to save for the future when your present expenses are so daunting, but it's important to start making regular contributions to several savings vehicles, even if only a few dollars at a time:

  • Establish an emergency fund with enough cash to cover at least six months of living expenses. Start small by having $25 or $50 a month deducted from your paycheck and automatically deposited into a separate savings account.
  • Even if retirement is decades away, the sooner you start saving and compounding your interest, the faster your savings will grow. If your employer offers 401(k) matching contributions, contribute at least enough to take full advantage of the match.
  • Once those two accounts are well established, open a 529 Qualified State Tuition Plan to start saving for your children's education.

If funding these accounts seems impossible, look for a few luxuries you could cut from your budget for six months - lattes, eating out, premium cable, etc. After six months, evaluate whether they were actual "needs" or simply "wants" you can live without.

Get insured. If your family depends on your income, you must be prepared for life's unexpected events, whether an accident, illness, unemployment or death. Get adequate coverage for:

  • Health insurance. Everyone needs medical insurance, no matter how young or healthy.
  • Homeowner/renter's insurance. Don't let theft, fire or another catastrophe leave your family without a home or possessions. To reduce premiums, consider choosing a higher deductible.
  • Life insurance. You'll probably want coverage worth at least five to 10 times your annual pay - more, if you want to cover college costs. And don't forget to insure your spouse's life so you'll be protected as well.
  • Disability insurance. Millions of Americans suffer disabilities serious enough to miss work for months or years, yet many forego disability insurance, potentially leaving them without an income after a serious accident or illness. Ask about your employer's sick leave and short-term disability benefits and if long-term disability is offered, consider buying it.
  • Car insurance. Almost every state requires insurance if you own or drive a car, and for good reason: It protects you financially should you cause an accident or be hit by an uninsured driver. Make sure you have sufficient liability coverage to protect your net worth and income - it only takes one serious accident to wipe out your savings.

And finally, spend responsibly. If you buy things you don't really need or can't afford, you'll just end up having to work longer hours to pay for them - time you could have spent watching your kids growing up.

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According to a new report from SmartAsset, Scott County, is amongst the top in the Iowa in best value for its property tax dollars. This means Scott County is getting a deal - better public schools and lower crime rates compared to the amount of money they pay each year in property taxes.  

  

On Tuesday, June 3rd SmartAsset will be introducing an interactive infographic that will dive into the details for each state and county.

Methodology  

As a bit of background on the methodology, SmartAsset answered 3 questions to determine which counties in the country were getting the best deal. These included: how good are the schools, how safe is the area and how much are the property taxes. This was evaluated by county.  

Only counties with populations greater than 50,000 people were counted in the nationwide rankings. Those with one or more of these data factors missing could not be ranked, so out of the 3,144 counties in the US about half of them were included in our list.

For some comparison, the average US county, with a population of 92,840, charges a 1.52 percent property tax rate, has schools ranked at 5.53, and sees 101.3 violent crimes and 826.6 property crimes per 100,000 people yearly.

About SmartAsset

SmartAsset makes life's biggest decisions easier by bringing full transparency to the financial decision making process. It's the Web's first personal finance platform designed to empower people with highly personalized information and recommendations around major financial decisions. SmartAsset's platform currently helps answer 79 questions including those related to life-changing financial decisions like home buying, going back to school, retirement planning and more. Founded in 2011, SmartAsset is based in New York and funded by Y Combinator, Javelin Venture Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners and many others.

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding Illinois Senate passage of House Bill 3814, legislation that would place a question on the Nov. 4, 2014 ballot asking voters if the state's minimum wage should be raised to $10 per hour by Jan. 1, 2015. The bill previously passed the Illinois House, and now heads to the Governor's desk:

"This November, Illinois voters will have the opportunity to send a clear signal to lawmakers that we must have an economy that works for everyone.

"Raising the minimum wage will benefit hundreds of thousands of hardworking men and women across our state. Higher wages for employees means they will spend more at local businesses, which in turns boosts economic growth.

"As we work to build a majority to raise the minimum wage in Illinois, this referendum will help us get the job done.

"I thank Senator Kimberly Lightford and House Speaker Michael Madigan for sponsoring this important legislation. I look forward to signing it and letting the people's voice be heard on this important issue."

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