Clarke County Development Corporation update Part 3
By Bill Trickey
Spurred by rising unemployment, the Clarke County Development Corporation and the Clarke County Foundation launched a Business Plan Competition this year.
The competition is intended to encourage entrepreneurs to stay and set-up businesses in South Central Iowa, thereby decreasing the continuing “brain drain” problem that Iowa has struggled with in the past.
According to a recent study completed by the Kauffman Foundation, US small business employs more than 50 percent of the population. CCDC and the Foundation have a desire to create jobs, decrease unemployment and increase the business vitality in the area.
The competition awarding a prize of $100,000, will give preference to start ups or expansions that are involved with advanced manufacturing, information technology or bio science. The cash prize will be paid out in four annual installments to insure the company locates in Clarke County and stays in business.
CCDC and The Foundation believe that Iowa is a great place for entrepreneurs. In a recent study conducted by CNBC, the state of Iowa ranked fourth overall in the Top States for Business in 2009. Criteria included: cost of doing business; workforce; quality of life; economy; transportation and infrastructure; technology and innovation; education; access to capital; and cost of living. Iowa’s economy ranked fourth overall in the category, and the state ranked first in the cost of doing business category.
In addition to the Business Plan competition, the Development Corporation works closely with the Small Business Development Centers programs for business support. These efforts include consulting, classes and grant writing.
