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Grow Cedar Valley tells Black Hawk County supervisors about business visits, new projects and workforce programs
Summary
Grow Cedar Valley reported 61 business‑retention visits covering about 6,945 employees, identified multiple prospective expansions and highlighted workforce initiatives (Count Me In study, Live the Valley, internship retention and a planned small‑business resource hub). Supervisors asked questions and were invited to consult the full study.
Grow Cedar Valley presented its year‑end economic‑development and workforce report to the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on June 30, highlighting business‑retention work, international outreach, and community workforce initiatives.
"We completed 61 BRE visits in the last year, meaning we met with 61 different businesses representing 6,945 employees here in the Cedar Valley," Katie Susung, president and CEO of Grow Cedar Valley, told the board. She said the organization uses BRE (business retention and expansion) data to connect companies to incentives and to inform state‑level advocacy.
Lisa Scubel, vice president of economic development, described a global lead‑generation initiative and pipeline activity: "In the last 6 months, we had 12 new projects representing approximately $224 million in potential new capital investment for our area and 7,745 jobs," she said. Scubel also noted the fiscal‑year total of 31 new projects representing just over $1 billion in potential capital and said two local parks secured a platinum shovel‑ready designation from the Site Selection Guild.
Stephanie Deweiler summarized talent and workforce efforts — internship retention, a Live the Valley marketing platform, the Cedar Valley Leadership Institute and targeted programs that grew attendance or membership. She said the Count Me In population study produced roughly 90 action items and will shape a five‑year strategic plan and a regional dashboard of core metrics the organization plans to develop in partnership with community stakeholders.
Supervisors asked whether the nine priorities introduced this year were to be completed inside 12 months; Susung replied the priorities would be initiated and some completed this year while others are multi‑year projects tied to the five‑year plan.
The presentation concluded with Grow Cedar Valley offering to provide follow‑up briefings and to meet with county staff and supervisors to align the regional dashboard with county planning needs. The board thanked Grow Cedar Valley for the update and engagement.
Next steps: Grow Cedar Valley will continue outreach and work with county staff on metrics and shared priorities, and supervisors were encouraged to review the Count Me In study materials posted on the organization's website.
