15 Mar 2013

Loebsack Announces Boost for Economic Development Planning in Cedar, Clinton Counties

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the East Central Intergovernmental Association, which covers Cedar and Clinton counties, as well as Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties has received $58,000 from the Economic Development Agency.  This funding will be used to establish an economic development planning framework, process and strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation in the region.

"I am pleased that the East Central Intergovernmental Association received this funding to continue their important work of developing and implementing a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region," said Loebsack.  "We must focus on growing our economy and putting Iowans back to work. Investing in economic development planning, rural development and supporting public-private partnerships will both help strengthen the regional economy and promote job creation."

This EDA planning investment supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) in the region served by the East Central Intergovernmental Association.  The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.

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12 Mar 2013

Loebsack Statement on the Republican Budget Proposal

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today as House Republicans released their budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014.

"The budget proposal released today unfortunately is more of the same from House Republicans.  Instead of offering a commonsense blueprint to get Iowans back to work and the economy back on track, they once again pledge to balance the budget on the back of seniors, the middle class and the most vulnerable.

"We've got to grow the economy, create jobs and substantially reduce the unsustainable deficit over the long-term, but it must be done in a balanced way.  It is time to hit the restart button. We can't afford to end the promise of Medicare and give tax breaks to the wealthy.  Seniors and working families are not the ones who got us into this fiscal mess and it is unfair that they get punished for Washington's reckless behavior.

"I am hopeful Congress can sit down in a bipartisan manner and work out a balanced, commonsense budget that sets our country on a fiscally responsible path while growing the middle class."

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12 Mar 2013

Branstad and Reynolds commend Paul Ryan for offering a balanced, sustainable budget

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today commended Congressman Paul Ryan for offering a budget that will balance and is sustainable.

"I applaud Paul Ryan for making the tough decisions to balance the federal budget, and return predictability and stability to the federal government," said Branstad. "It should not be too much to ask to have a balanced budget, let alone one that will balance in 10 years. If left unchecked, Washington will continue its path to financial ruin. Paul Ryan is offering a thoughtful budget and continues to show leadership. It is not fair to continue to pile up debt on future generations.

"In Iowa, we faced a significant budget shortfall, and we turned it around by restoring proper budget practices. We worked in a bipartisan manner to balance our budget, and it is time for Washington to do the same.

"America cannot spend our way out of this problem, and we instead must grow our economy. Paul Ryan's plan provides a solid foundation to grow our economy."

Reynolds noted the stability this will bring for job creators.

"Job creators in this country have faced too many fiscal cliffs, sequesters, and too much uncertainty at the national level," said Reynolds. "While the U.S. Senate has not passed a budget in four years, the Federal government has continued to pile up trillion dollar deficits. This lack of fiscal discipline and an inability to set clear priorities is not acceptable. The system is broken, and Paul Ryan's budget is a badly-needed fix that avoids placing a growing debt burden on our children and grandchildren. I am proud of Paul Ryan's courage and leadership, and I hope the U.S. Senate leadership will work in a bipartisan fashion to craft a balanced budget.

"The Ryan plan will replace the rigid, one-size-fits-all federal programs and instead offers states the flexibility to make these programs work for the people they serve."

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12 Mar 2013

Five Guys Franchisee Draws Powerful Allies

By Michael Caputo

JOB CREATORS TO WASHINGTON: STOP BULLYING BUSINESS

(DALLAS, TX) - The CEO leaders of Job Creators Alliance today announced their strong support of a restaurant franchisee whose health care comments landed him in the national spotlight. The small business group also identified a troubling pattern of orchestrated campaigns to silence small business complaints about Obamacare.

"Mike Ruffer is in the same tough spot most job creators are in today: stuck between uncertainty and Obamacare," said Bernie Marcus, co-founder and former CEO of Home Depot. "He has every right to speak his mind, but today he's being punished for it. In fact, he's just the latest - we're seeing a pattern of intimidation against small business leaders who speak up about the failures of Obamacare."

Mr. Ruffer, owner of eight Five Guys Burgers and Fries franchises in North Carolina, joined a Monday Heritage Foundation panel discussion on Obamacare and small business. Ruffer said health care reform was hurting his business and forcing him to cancel expansion plans and raise burger prices. When his comments hit the Internet, calls from Obamacare supporters rained into executives at Five Guys headquarters. Within hours, corporate was distancing themselves from the beleaguered small businessman.

"What is most disturbing is that many business leaders like Mr. Ruffer are being singled out for a public thrashing for simply explaining the realities of the Affordable Care Act," said Marcus, who is also co-founder of Job Creators Alliance (JCA).

Darden Restaurants - owner of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Red Lobster restaurants - spoke out in late 2012 and was rapidly rebuked via telephone, email and social media. At the same time, RREMC Restaurants, which owns more than 30 Denny's locations, announced plans to pass the cost on to consumers. Within a day, Denny's corporate offices had the CEO apologizing. Last month, Universal Orlando Resort announced cancellation of a health care program for their part time employees and the Internet exploded in derision.

"The list goes on and on: Applebees, Papa John's, even golfer Phil Mickelson - when a business owner speaks up about job killing policies, they are quickly bullied into apologizing," said JCA member Mike Leven, president and CEO of Las Vegas Sands. "Who is orchestrating the telephone banks and email campaigns which erupt moments after a business leader speaks against Obamacare? For the first time in my long career, I feel like a target. We all do."

"Job creators across the country are staring into the depths of Obamacare uncertainty today, facing the same decisions as Mr. Ruffer," Marcus said. "That's bad enough. But when campaign forces attack small business leaders like him, disrupting commerce and risking jobs just to make a political point, job creators are no longer just uncertain. They're afraid."

ABOUT JCA

Job Creators Alliance is the voice of real job creators that has been missing from the American debate on jobs and our economic crisis. JCA members talk about paychecks, not politics, helping the public and policymakers understand how to create jobs. Please visit www.JobCreatorsAlliance.org for more information.

 

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12 Mar 2013

Governor Quinn Launches Women-Owned Business Initiative to Support Economic Growth

By Leslie Wertheimer

Illinois' First Women Business Owners Symposium on March 29

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn announced today that the state of Illinois is launching a new initiative to support the growth of women-owned businesses as a driving force in the Illinois economy. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will host the state's first Women Business Owners Symposium (WBOS) at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on March 29, coinciding with Women's History Month.

The event will bring together business leaders, lenders and technology experts to showcase the knowledge and opportunities available to help women-owned firms expand in Illinois.

"Women entrepreneurs are one of our state's key job creation engines," Governor Quinn said. "Our goal is to help women find the economic resources necessary to expand their companies and provide more employment for our state."

Three out of 10 firms in Illinois are owned by women generating a total of $53.4 billion in sales, according to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) based on U.S. Census data.

The daylong event?which is free and open for women looking to start or expand a business?includes keynote speakers Ruth Ann Gillis, president, Exelon Business Services Co.,  and Judith A. Roussel, director, Illinois district of the U.S. Small Business Association.

Panel discussions at the event will focus on capital funding and financial growth, technology and infrastructure, new markets (private and public), and state agencies and programs. Attendees will also hear first-hand experiences of women who have built their own companies.

Topics of discussion will range from how to gain access to capital, how to get a foot in the door of large corporations, where to find free technology support, how to get certified for government contracts and how to use the U.S. Census Bureau web site for market research.

"We are committed to connecting experts and resources to firms owned and run by women as there is a great opportunity for these entrepreneurs to create jobs and keep Illinois competitive," said DCEO Director Adam Pollet. "Women-owned firms are making a powerful impact on our economy."

The list of panelists include Wendy Lewis, senior vice president, diversity and strategic alliances, Major League Baseball; Pat Harris, global chief diversity officer, McDonald's Corp.; Marsha Serlin, CEO, United Scrap & Metal Co.; Katrina Markoff, CEO and founder, Vosges Haut-Chocolat; Joanne Tica-Steiger, director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses; Sona Wang, founder and managing director, Ceres Venture Fund LP; Maria A. Colangelo, vice president, Wintrust Bank; Poonam Gupta-Krishnan, CEO, Iyka Enterprises Inc.; Kristin Barrett, vice president, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center Project 1871, and Rita Haake, program manager, College of DuPage Center for Entrepreneurship.

Directors of four state agencies (DCEO, Transportation, Tollway, Veteran Affairs) and officials from three federal agencies (SBA, Census, Commerce) will discuss how to find business support and outline government projects that are fully funded and seeking contractors. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon and Deputy Gov. Cristal Thomas will open the event.

There is also an exhibit hall, one-on-one counseling and free on-site daycare.

"We want women business owners to know they aren't alone," said Carol E. Bell, deputy director of Women's Business Development. "The state is a great resource. Providing these business leaders with support helps them evolve, develop and expand, which in turn leads to more jobs, stronger communities and a better state economy for everyone."

WBOS will be held 8:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday March 29 at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL  60608. To register or to find out more information, visit http://www.ildceo.net/WBOS. Registration is allowed on site the day of the event. Attendees who pre-register are invited to a free breakfast at 8 a.m.in the Roosevelt Corridor sponsored by Verizon Wireless.

For more on why Illinois is the right place for business, visit http://illinoisbiz.biz.

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11 Mar 2013

Illinois Resolves SEC Inquiry Regarding Pension Disclosures from 2005 to early 2009

By Abdon Pallasch

The State of Illinois and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) entered into a settlement order Monday ending an inquiry into pension disclosures in bond offerings made by the State between 2005 and early 2009. The order acknowledged the proactive steps taken by the State to enhance its pension disclosures and related processes since 2009. The State began these enhancements prior to being contacted by the SEC.

The State believed it to be in its best interests to enter into a settlement with the SEC. The State has cooperated fully with the SEC throughout the inquiry. The State neither admits nor denies the findings in the order, which carries no fines or penalties.

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11 Mar 2013

New Gaming Bill Will Create Jobs & Revenue

By Illinois Revenue & Jobs Alliance

New bill addresses Governor's concerns

Monday March 11, 2013, Springfield, Ill.–Last week, Illinois moved a step closer to generating much-needed jobs and revenue after a Senate Executive committee approved Senate Bill 1739, a gaming solution that will help kick start the state's economic growth.

On Sunday, one of the bill's chief sponsors in the Senate, Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), appeared on Chicago's ABC Channel 7's News Views, calling the bill "a windfall" for the state.

"We still have to give the money to education. We have to give money to the pensions," said Sen. Link during the Sunday morning talk show. "This [the gaming bill] is new money that will be added to those pots."

A gaming solution for more jobs and revenue has been the focal point of the Illinois Revenue and Jobs Alliance (IRJA) since last spring. The IRJA is a growing body of labor organizations, business groups, farming and agribusiness interests, racetracks and horsemen associations, and local municipalities, all committed to a gaming solution that will generate jobs and revenue.

"Nobody says gaming will be the ultimate solution for Illinois's economic woes," said former State Representative Bill Black, chairman of the IRJA. "But this bill opens up new markets, spurs new construction, puts people on a job and will lead to economic development. It will also produce new tax revenues for local municipalities and for the state."

The new bill addresses the concerns Gov. Pat Quinn outlined last summer by scaling back the total number of gaming positions, by including a provision to ban political contributions from gaming entities, and by assigning additional revenues to pensions and education.

Under the new bill SB1739, riverboat or land-based casinos would be added to Danville, Lake County, South Suburban Cook and Rockford, with a land-based casino to be built in Chicago, too. Included is a provision that will allow for I-Gaming, or Internet wagering.

Also, each of the state's existing horse tracks will be allowed to install slot machines, a measure that will increase purses and provide a boost to the horseracing industry and to the state's agribusinesses.

An economic impact study conducted last spring based on a similar bill showed that encouraging more gaming opportunities in Illinois would create 20,000 jobs and raise more than $200 million in new revenues. Last spring, an independent statewide poll showed that 62% of registered voters support gaming revenues as a solution to budgetary woes, a number that corroborates a similar poll conducted by Crain's Chicago Business wielding  nearly-identical results (61%).

During his budget address Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn acknowledged for the first time that gaming revenue could help remedy the state's ailing finances.

In each of the last two sessions, a gaming bill has passed through both chambers of the Illinois legislature, only to be vetoed.

11 Mar 2013

Loebsack, Clinton Chamber of Commerce to Hold Media Availability

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack will meet with members of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on MONDAY, March 11th.  They will discuss economic development issues, as well as the recent announcement that three companies will expand their businesses in Clinton adding 200 jobs and bringing in $25 million in investments.  Loebsack and members of the Chamber of Commerce will meet with the media at 3:00pm.  After the meeting, Loebsack will tour Data Dimensions, one of the companies that will be expanding.

Note: Due to company policies, press will not be allowed to tour the Data Dimensions facility.

Media Availability with Rep. Loebsack and Clinton Chamber of Commerce

3:00pm

Clinton Chamber of Commerce

721 S. 2nd Street

Clinton

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08 Mar 2013

Smiddy's budget statement

By Rep. Mike Smiddy
SPRINGFIELD, IL - In response to Governor Quinn's annual budget address delivered on Wednesday, state Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) issued the following statement:

"Governor Quinn's budget address highlighted the many fiscal challenges the state is facing and the urgency with which we must address these issues. As our debts pile on and families struggle to fully recover from the recession, state lawmakers have to be responsible in capping spending, preventing hardworking families from being hit with higher taxes, and paying down our bills.

"Just yesterday, I worked in a bipartisan manner in the House to take the first steps in crafting the next budget by agreeing to a plan of what we estimate the revenue will be coming into the state and setting a cap for spending. The House's revenue estimates are more conservative than the governor's estimates in his spending plan. These estimates will serve as the base of the House's  budgeting to ensure that limit our spending, pay down our backlog of bills, and commit to a more fiscally responsible budgeting process.

"As we make these difficult decisions to cut the state budget, we have to be careful that we are making smart cuts that do not hurt our long-term goals. I strongly disagree with the governor's proposed $400 million in cuts the already-decimated education budget. Continuing to slash education spending will only make it more difficult for our youth to succeed in today's ever-challenging job market, and I will fight to preserve educational opportunities for our students.

"I look forward to the opportunity to work with my colleagues and collaborate with the 71st District to find new and creative ways to cut the state budget, hold lawmakers accountable, and create a more fiscally sound state for our families."

For more information, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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08 Mar 2013

Midland Communications Launches Desktop Optimization Center to Jumpstart Their Customers' Productivity

By Rick Martin
DAVENPORT, IA – March 6, 2013 – Midland Communications, an industry leader in unified communications, announced today that the company has launched a Desktop Optimization Center (DOC) in order to jumpstart their customers' productivity. A DOC is a business support center where administrators monitor networks and remotely control computers, networks or unified communications systems in order to boost performance. Many small to medium-sized businesses are making the move to DOCs in order to reduce the amount of employee downtime on common technical issues and streamline operations.
Midland Communications' DOC constantly monitors and helps to improve the performance of their customers' entire IT infrastructure including computers, devices, applications, networks and the cloud. As a result, network performance is ceaselessly improved and common issues can be fixed faster than ever before. For example, when a customer's employee runs into an issue with a software program on his or her computer, they can call the DOC and a technician will take control of their computer from a remote location and fix the issue immediately. Employees are often astounded when they can watch their issue being fixed before their eyes without having to lift a finger.
The recession has many businesses spread thin, making it tougher than ever to sacrifice valuable IT personnel to fix mundane issues. This places enormous demands on SMBs, who are already searching for ways to maximize employee performance at every opportunity. Simply put, today's businesses cannot afford to wait around for long periods of time before an issue can even begin being worked on.
"The overwhelming majority of computer problems are extremely simple to fix," stated Jason Smith, Vice President of Midland Communications. "More often than not, our customers' employees need help locating a misplaced a file, configuring a printer, recovering passwords, fixing software that has malfunctioned temporarily or something else relatively straightforward. The real benefit of our DOC is that employees can resolve their issues fast. When we can get our customers' businesses back up and running quickly, that results in increased profitability for everyone. We firmly believe in always searching for innovative ways to serve the needs of our customers."

ABOUT MIDLAND COMMUNICATIONS
Midland Communications began more than 60 years ago in 1946 as the Worldwide Marketing Arm of Victor-Animagraph Projectors. In 1977 a communications division was formed due to a partnership with NEC America. Today, As a distributor of NEC America, for 33 years, Midland Communications has a customer base of more than 3,000 satisfied customers that include general businesses, government agencies, Universities, colleges, hospitals, and hotels.
Midland provides a wide range of communication services including VOIP, PBX and key systems, Wide Area and Local Area networking, computers, Computer integration, voice mail, CCIS, and video conferencing and paging systems. Our philosophy is simple, provide quality products at a fair price, backed by an average emergency response time of twenty minutes, and the best service in the industry. For more information on Midland Communications, call (563) 326-1237 or visit www.midlandcom.com.

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