FEDA member Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (Cambridge) has been recognized as one of the top 10 mid-size employers in Iowa. Sponsored by The Des Moines Register, the Top Workplaces 2011 survey was led by Workplace Dynamics and over 900 employers were invited to participate, nearly 26,000 employees responded.

"We are proud to be named a Top Workplace in Iowa for 2011 because we believe our associates are our most valuable resource and it is important to us how they value Cambridge as a workplace," said Amy Webber, president and chief operating officer. "As a firm, we strive to provide an environment that empowers our highly talented and intelligent associates by encouraging collaboration; supporting work/life balance; and remaining committed to our core values of integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness."

If you're a local business owner, Google Places can help you take control of the information Google lists (or doesn't list) about your business on GoogleSearch and Google Maps. Google Places provides business-owners with powerful yet easy-to-use tools to help you reach existing and potential customers more effectively.  Google Places enable business owners to verify and supplement their business information to include: 

This month, Tracy Vance joined the Fairfield community as the Executive Director of the Fairfield Economic Development Association and the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Tracy served as the Executive Director of the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce in Fort Madison, Iowa, owned his own small business, and served ten years on the Lee County Board of Supervisors.

Serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for both organizations, Tracy is charged with administrative oversight; policy and program development; new and existing business growth and retention; membership relations; and local, regional, state, and federal governmental relations and policy advocacy.

The Conscious Times Online, the student newspaper of MUM, has featured an article on FEDA’s new program, Project Grow Our Own. The idea behind the article was to simply spread more awareness among the MUM student community about FEDA and the program. Wade Koch, Editor-in-Chief of the Conscious Times Online was very receptive to the idea and generous with his time and effort in publishing the article. The entire article can be read by clicking here.

On Dec. 10th, FEDA Executive Director Brent Willett and FEDA Administrator Sam Busch sat down with James Moore, General Manager of KRUU 100.1 FM to discuss Project Grow Our Own and economic trends.

For more information about KRUU 100.1 FM visit here and to listen to or download the complete interview click here.

FEDA has released its 2010 Annual Report. The report outlines FEDA commitment to the community of Fairfield Iowa and provides highlights from our past year efforts to meet this commitment. In 2008, FEDA started producing the annual report as a way to foment transparency for our organization in the community. You’ll find in this year report details about FEDA programming, advocacy efforts, property disclosures, resources events and industry services and development.

FEDA leadership and staff work to help our companies grow and create more jobs, investment and wealth in Fairfield. We provide direct services to local businesses and connect them with the customized information, tools and support needed to respond to the changing world market. FEDA is committed to attracting and retaining our workforce and to becoming home to companies that Fairfield is particularly suited to accommodate.

To read the FEDA 2010 Annual Report click here or on the image below.

The Fairfield Economic Development Association (FEDA) announced at its 2010 Annual Meeting a strategic partnership with the Cedar Rapids-based Entrepreneurial Development Center, Inc. (EDC) called Project Grow Our Own. At the annual meeting Curt Nelson, President & CEO of EDC and FEDA Executive Director Brent Willett were on hand to make the joint program announcement. The new program provides professional support and mentoring services from EDC to qualifying Jefferson County entrepreneurs at a reduced cost.

All residents of Jefferson County are eligible to participate in the program who meets the following criteria. The business must be headquartered in the county, conduct interstate commerce and can demonstrate potential to create jobs and wealth in the county.

Funding is awarded up to $1,500 with a 25% match requirement by the applicant. A second round of funding is available and certain conditions apply to be eligible. There is a $50 application fee that must be submitted with the application.

Tim Kuiken, attorney/shareholder at Foss, Kuiken, Gookin & Cochran P.C. in Fairfield, has been elected to serve as a director on the Fairfield Economic Development Association’s Board of Directors.  Kuiken’s nomination was affirmed by the FEDA membership at its 2010 Annual Meeting last night in Fairfield.  He will assume a 3-year directorship commencing January 1, 2011. 

Kuiken will assume the seat of Craig Foss, also of Foss, Kuiken, Gookin & Cochran.  Foss will retire at the end of the year from the FEDA Board after 18 years of service on the board, having been elected at the September 22, 1992 FEDA annual meeting and beginning his term in 1993.  He is the current FEDA Treasurer and serves on the organization’s Property and Budget committees.

To read entire media release click here.

FEDA has released a report summarizing the findings of the latest Fairfield Existing Business Initiative [FEBI], a committee-led outreach campaign of executive interviews and surveying of dozens of Fairfield employers, to the community. This report is the second iteration of the FEBI program, which was launched in 2008 in an effort by FEDA to better connect with existing Fairfield-area businesses, comes at a critical time for the community.

Data for the report was gathered through surveys sent to 35 Fairfield employers and through interviews with executives of 29 of the surveyed companies. The information was input and reports were generated via the eSynchronist economic development software FEDA has access to through a strategic regional relationship with the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission office. FEBI Committee members Pat Doyle, Craig Foss, Jodi Kerr, Lori Schaefer-Weaton and Dan Sullivan as well as FEDA staffers Willett and Samuel Busch carried out the interviewing over a three month period during the third quarter of 2010.

The 2Q 2010 edition FEDA Quarterly was released on August 3rd. The newsletter includes articles on incentives for a hotel development project, FEDA entrepreneurial development program, updated 2010-11 Fairfield Community Quick Reference, Google Places and much more.

Click here to read newsletter.

Want it in your inbox? Email Sam Busch at sbusch@growfairfield.com to add your name to the email recipient list.