ECIA 2006 Annual Report
ECIA
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Fiscal year 2006 was a year of growth for ECIA! Mid-year we assumed
management of the Region 8 Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for Dubuque,
Delaware and Jackson Counties. Transit brings a whole new life to ECIA! We have
added six full and part-time staff this past year for transit as well as managing
approximately 15-20 drivers employed by the RTA itself. This has been an exciting
and challenging endeavor. Our goal through the management transition was to
seamlessly transfer management to ECIA from Project Concern without negatively
impacting the consumer. I believe we have succeeded in this area. Now we are
focusing on expanding and improving service within the three county region.
We have also been busy with our regional economic development effort,
Prosperity Eastern Iowa. The group appointed an executive committee that
monthly. We
completed a
marketing plan and are focusing on both internal
marketing within the region and external marketing
showcasing our regional assets to the rest of the
world. As you will see later in the annual
report, we have produced some great
marketing materials including a DVD of the
region; completed regional studies such as
a cluster analysis: accompanied the city of
Clinton to Washington, D.C.; and have
implemented a regional business retention
and expansion program. This effort has
brought together over 37 cities, counties,
Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Workforce
Development, private enterprise and economic
development groups, all focusing on the same
goal... to increase the economic vitality of the
region.
meets
ECIA FY06 Funding Sources
State Funds
Spt'cial Contracts 1%
J%
Membership FI'I'S
:IX
IlSo.'partml'n\of
COmllll'rn'
1%
Service Fcl's&
Assessments
7%
County Funds
1%
US])('parlmcntol"
lIousing&Urbdn
Development
3:1%
US Dl'partment of Health
and Human Servkes
7%
US Depdrtment of Labor
13%
I am particularly proud of our newest tax credit community, Asbury Meadows on Radford Road in
Asbury. We were successful in purchasing a dilapidated mobile home court over three years ago and
have transformed it into beautiful quality and affordable housing for low to moderate income
households. We have 32 town-house style rental units plus five single family homes built and sold to low
to moderate income homebuyers. This was a partnership with the city of Asbury, Iowa Finance
Authority, Iowa Department of Economic Development and Enterprise Investment (the equity investor).
In addition to the projects above, there are a multitude of new projects in the works that it's difficult
for me to mention all of them. The
chart that I have added this year
rellects the growth in our budget and
activities in the past five years and
part of this is due to the increase of
special contracts and services. I can
not say enough about the quality and
dedication of the ECIA team as well as SI,:lOO,ilOO
the solid support we receive from our
members. \Vorking together
collaboratively ,vill enable us to
continue to make our region the greatest
place to live!
ECIA Revenue
S I ,000,000
S500,OOO
53,50il,OOO
S:l,OOO,OOO
S2,500,OOO
S2,OOO,OO()
'0
FY 02
FY 03
FY 0...
F'{OS
FY(Hi
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The debut year of Prosperity Eastern Iowa was filled with exciting opportunities. The first
step toward success was bringing members together as economic development
partners, instead of competitors they were in the past. Members quickly realized the
benefits of being part of a larger region with more to offer.
We began our collaboration journey by inventorying our region: what did we have to offer
to businesses looking to expand or relocate in our area? Beyond a building or a site,
what do businesses look for in a location'! They look at a multitude of things, for
example: the business climate, financial incentives, tax advantages, the availability and
skills of the labor force, transportation advantages, utility costs, availability of
education and training programs, housing opportunities, recreation and other quality of
life offerings, and the proximity to their market. Our website,
www.prosperityeasterniowa.org, aims to answer these questions and more.
Prosperity Eastern Iowa partnered \\lith Iowa Workforce Development and Northeast Iowa
Community College to complete a regional profile, labor shed study, fringe benefit
analysis, and cluster analysis. These are essential tools as we market our region as they
identify our strengths and indicate what industries would benefit by locating to our
region. Potential businesses can quickly assess many factors that could indicate
success for them.
Realizing that economic growth is dependent upon existing business retention and
expansion, Prosperity Eastern Iowa purchased software to aid members with their
existing business retention and expansion efforts. This software acts as a guide for
pertinent information gathering, generating reports that enable economic developers to
address potential issues, forecast business trends, and make important inter-regional
connections among businesses.
A delegation of Prosperity Eastern Iowa members traveled to Washington D.C. to
address regional priorities with federal legislators and their staff. The delegation
included members representing each of the six counties of Prosperity Eastern Iowa.
As we venture into the second year of activities, we will continue to work collaboratively
toward our economic development goals and promoting eastern Iowa as THE place to
do business!
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EClA's Small Cities Utility Hilling/Accounting Package continues to be a valuable resource
for many communities. This Utility Billing/Accounting Package is a cost effective
accounting template designed for cities under 500. There are currently seven cities using
the package, one of which is outside the EClA five-county region. Other cities, both inside
and outside our region, have expressed interest in the package. In addition to performing
general bookkeeping functions and generating utility invoices, the package uses the
state-mandated chart of accounts to help small cities generate budgets and financial
reports in the format required by the state.
An up-to-date Code of Ordinances is vital to the effective administration of a City. The
Code, a collection by subject, of all the ordinances the City Council has adopted, gives
the force of law and police power to actions by the City Council. The importance of an
up-to-date Code of Ordinances is recognized by the Iowa State Legislature. During the
past fiscal year ECIA staff updated City Codes for six communities in the ECIA region
and provided assistance in adopting ordinances to eight of our member communities.
A component of Vision Iowa, the Community Attraction and Tourism grant program
provides financial assistance for projects in small communities. With the assistance of
ECIA, one member community received a grant this year of 5135,000 for a community
theater renovation project.
l~~~ l
Fiscal Year 2006 was the first complete year of the Housing Choice Voucher Program on a
budget-based funding system and a change to calendar year reporting. Due to the
changes in the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations,
the Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (EIRHA) was forced to reduce its number of
households assisted to 843 rather than the 883 in years past. This was done through
attrition so no participants were directly affected by the change in program funding and
reporting. As the calendar year 2005 came to an end, the program expenditures were at
101.88%. With the first half of the calendar year m06, the program expenditures are at
51.16% with a target percentage of 50%. With the change to budget-based, all PHA's have a
set dollar limitation for funding rather than a set number of vouchers for assistance.
The Public Housing Program experienced a 97% lease-up rate for the fiscal year. Our units
continue to serve families \vell during the transitional times in their lives.
The HomeO\\11ership programs were very popular and successful this year. Eight families
utilized their Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance towards a monthly
mortgage payment instead of a monthly rental payment. The Public Housing program had
two additional families achieve the dream of owning a home as they purchased their
public housing units. A total of five units have been sold since 2003. We are proud to
report that EIRHA leads the state in the number of homeownership participants.
We are also very proud of our five new construction homes we built and sold this fiscal
year. Four in the city of Asbury and one in Manchester' All homes were priced under
$14D,000 (including the lot) and were sold to local low to moderate income families.
Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation entered its second full year of tax credit
compliance with the Peosta Evergreen Meadows 24 units of low- to moderate-income
family housing. Construction of the 32 unit Tax Credit complex in Asbury, Iowa was
completed in June and families began moving in July 1. EIRHC also owns and operates ten
units of USDA senior housing in Worthington and Grand Mound and those units remained
100% leased-up for the year.
l ~~rttllIBJ& -J
Andover, Camanche, Clinton, Delaware, and Tipton received new and improved water or
wastewater systems in fiscal year 2006. Two group homes were constructed in DeWitt. An
owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program was completed in Farley and homebuyer
assistance programs were completed in DeWitt and Maquoketa. We also developed Pre-
Disaster Mitigation plans for Delmar and Lost Nation along with 14 other planning projects.
One additional program that included owner-occupied rehabilitation, homebuyer
assistance and demolition activities was completed in !\lanchester.
Thanks to Community Development Block Grants, Andover will be getting a new water
system, Tipton will receive a water tower, and a new well and \vater system extension will
go to the city of Delaware. Camanche and Clinton will also see wastewater system
improvements in the future. A CDBG Community Facility grant was awarded for a child care
expansion project in Clinton. Housing grant awards went to DeWitt and Grand Mound for
owner.occupied rehabilitation programs. Sabula will get a new flood pump and Dyersville
will be able to clean up several !lood damaged properties. Thirteen cities received funding
to assist in the preparation of Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plans. Over SOD housing code
inspections were conducted in the city of Asbury.
As a new senice this year, Staff worked with Clinton, Lost Nation, and Burlington and
several private groups with Strategic Planning to develop plans for addressing needs in
their respective areas.
EClA continues to work as administrative agent for the Eastern Iowa Rural Utility Services
System (ElRUSS). Development of a new wastewater system in Center Junction and a new
water system in Andover began in fiscal year 2006. Staff worked with consultants to
develop preliminary engineering reports for Leisure Lake and Petersburg. These reports
are also being developed for EMra in Clinton County and Fairview in Jones County. ECIA
staff continues to seek funding for these projects.
The Employment and Training Department continues to stress excellence in
programming and effective partnerships as the cornerstone to its philosophy for
preparing the local workforce to meet the needs of area businesses, now, and in the
future,
The need for services to dislocated workers remained strong again this year and was a
major focus of WIA resources, A National Emergency Grant (NEG) to provide services to
workers idled by the closing of three Eagle grocery stores was completed last year. This
project served 58 workers and achieved a re-employment rate of over 88%, A State
Emergency Grant (SEG) to provide services to workers affected by a mass layoff at
Georgia Pacific Corp. was also completed last year. This state grant served 39 workers
with a re-employment rate of over 96%.
One of the primary aspects of the \\1A Adult and Older Youth Programs was post
secondary classroom training. J\..Iany low income adults and youth received career
training to prepare them for occupations in demand locally. Nearly 90% of adults and
over 90% of older youth exiting the program last year were employed, and most
significantly increased their earning as a result of this training.
The Promise Jobs Program continued it efforts to assist welfare recipients in securing
employment and becoming self-sufficient. New initiatives to engage clients in the
system sooner and enhance their ability to obtain and retain emplo}lllent were
implemented.
As a result of our emphasis on program excellence and partnership, ECIA, along with
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, received an incentive award of
$110,799 from the State of Iowa for meeting all federally mandated performance
measures for the Workforce Investment Act programs. These measures require
program operators to meet minimum standards in 17 areas including number of clients
placed in jobs, wages of these jobs, and customer satisfaction.
E.C.I.A. Business Growth, Inc. makes loans to businesses to stimulate the economy in the
five county region. The primary' purpose of these loans is the creation of jobs for our area
citizens.
This has been a good year for business activity and E.C.I.A. Business Growth, Ine. In all, this
is $9,035,000 in new loan activity, which is a 36% increase over last year's volume and
represents 183 new jobs and 24 retained jobs.
From inception in 1983
through June 30, 2006, the
Board of Directors has
approved 211 loans. This
includes 115 SBA 503/504
loans totaling $38,832,200 and
96 RLF loans totaling
$13,232,533, for a grand total
of $52,064,733. This
represents 3,302 jobs created
and 1,042 have been retained.
These loan projects have also
produced a significant
amount of new property tax
revenue for our local
governments and school
districts.
Business Growth, Inc.
Approved Loans
"0' 1 0000000
- 9000000
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7000000 ;
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5000000 <
4000000 ~
~'. 3000000 8
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--'-', 2000000
1000000
o
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,
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7
Term 19~)!) 200() 2001 2002 2003 2004 2003 200(i
Loans d 1296000 925000 20HOOO 23]hOOO 2121000 :HHHWOO {}611500 !l035000
Apprv
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EClA staff completed the Dubuque Metropolitan Transportation Study (DMATS) 2031
Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP is a planning document for the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area that encompasses all modes of transportation to establish goals and
identify projects within the region fOlWard to the year 2031. The plan was approved by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on October 13. 2006.
The Re!,~onal Planning Affiliation (RPA) 8 planning staff imited member organizations to
submit applications for enhancement grants awarded by RPA 8. Staff received five
applications of which three were funded.
A Safe Routes to Schools group was formed in early June of 2006 consisting of school
board members, superintendents, principals, city and county engineering, city and county
planning, city and county law enforcement along with other interested parties. Staff is
writing grant applications for Safe Routes Infrastructure and Non- Infrastructure funding.
The new Transportation Bill emphasized the importance of improving coordination between
human services and transit systems. Planning staff organized Mobile Action Planning (MAP)
workshops and held transit group meetings to get more input on how to improve transit
systems. Staff is in the process of developing a Transit Development Plan and a
Coordination Plan for local transit systems. They are also advising RT A on creating new
routes and locating new sources of funding for marketing.
Roadway projects progressed this year on the US Highway 20 corridor (Swiss Valley
Intersection). Eighty people provided input during a public participation meeting. Design on
the Julien Dubuque Bridge continued, with the final design of the companion bridge making
the existing bridge into a four-lane facility. Design will be completed in FY 2007.
IA 32jSW Arterial preliminary design also progressed. Several meetings were held to
discuss cost-saving design options for the roadway. Approximately 100 people
provided input at a public participation meeting held in June, 2006.
Staff continued to meet "'th stakeholders of the Highway 30 Coalition in Clinton County.
The coalition successfully lobbied for S 13,600,000 secured through an earmark as part
of the SAFETEA-LU Transportation Bill. The project will upgrade Highway 30 to four-lane
across Iowa to help alleviate congestion on Interstate 80.
EClA has been participating in the trail connectivity and rail projects which are part of
Dubuque's top 10 Envision 2010 list. A trail and rail committee has been formed and is in
the process of developing a trail plan for the area and getting passenger rail to
Dubuque through Illinois.
Participation continues in planning for the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) through Iowa. The
MRT is a 2,000-mile on-and-off road recreational trail beginning in Minnesota and ending at
the Gulf of Mexico. Planning staff is assisting local governments and the Iowa Department
of Transportation with this ongoing project.
In January 2006, ECIA assumed management responsibilities of the Region 8 Regional
Transit Authority (RTA), with the charge to develop and expand public transportation
services to residents in Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson Counties.
Since assuming management, the Planning staff at ECIA have assisted RT A with analysis
of RTA services in order to develop more visible and accessible routes. Recreational
shuttles from Manchester and Maquoketa to Dubuque have been implemented
expanding social opportunities to residents dependent on public transportation. Larger
general service routes have also been developed in the region and are being
implemented as equipment, staff and funding permit. Staff anticipates increasing
accessibility to medical services, employment and educational opportunities.
ECIA staff have also assisted Transit with preparing grants for funding expanded routes
and marketing public transit opportunities in the service area. These grants could
provide support for start up operating expense for new routes, website development,
schedules and cost information, equipment and technology.
1_............... ]
.t,?W:i~;"_;,~-,;,,;;<'-~;:f{,';::"I.I.-- ..
.Adll\i~istwtio~ a~d SuPPOu
Kelley H. Deutmeyer, Executive Director
Lisa Weinhold, Director of Finance & Human Resources
Marla Quinn, Grants and Development Coordinator
Sharon Nesteby, Executive Assistant
Gail Kuhle, Administrative Assistant
Stacey Carpenter, Administrative Assistant
Desiree Lange, Finance Clerk
CoII\II\U~ity "De~e~pMl'.~t
J\Iark Schneider, Director of Community Development & Public Works
Larry M. Nagle, Manager of Government Relations
Tim Crabb, Housing Rehab Specialist/Building Code Inspector
Matt Specht, Housing Rehab Specialist/Building Code Inspector
Darwin Polk, Grants & Public Works/Project Manager
li:a~po~tatio~ Pea~~i~g a~d 2eo~ollliC "De~e~pMl'.~t
Jerome Schroeder, Economic Development Director
Karen Adams, Regional Economic Development Coordinator
Chandra Ravada, Co. Director of Transportation & Planning
Jim Gonyier, Co-Director of Transportation & Planning
Nicole Turpin, Transportation Planner
Debra Smith, Transportation Planner
li:a~it
Mark Munson, Director of Transit
Denise Hefel, Transit Clerk
Ellen Hornung, Dispatcher/Scheduler
Gary Wagner, Dispatcher/Scheduler
Darlene Hartels, Dispatcher I
Janice Ehlers, Dispatcher I
<j:,/OUSi~g SU~iCe.s
Michelle Schnier, Director of Housing & Support Services
Jenny Schrobilgen, Housing Coordinator
Maria Elgin, Housing Manager
Lori Joester, Housing Manager
Debbie Maier, Housing Manager
Linda Hilkey, Housing Manager
Holly Kueter, Housing Manager
Carl Reimer, Homeownership/Housing Development Specialist
Mindy Meyers, Family Support Coordinator/Site Manager
Mindy Wiley, Family Support Coordinator/Site Manager
Jim Loney, Maintenance Manager
Tom Simpson, Maintenance Manager
Leonard O'Connell, Maintenance Assistant
211\P~Yll\el\t a~d li:ai~i~g
Dave Leary, Employment & Training Director
Ron Axtell, Employment Training Specialist
Michelle Huseman, Employment Training Specialist
Susann Voelker, Employment Training Specialist
Kathy Baker, Employment Training Specialist
Lori McKinley, Employment Training Specialist
Ami Johnson, Administrative/Financial Assistant
East Central Intergovernmental Association
3999 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 200
Dubuque IA 52002
forwarding service requested
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