Officials with the Fairfield Economic Development Association announced the launch Thursday of the 2010 Fairfield Existing Business Initiative [FEBI].  The Initiative, a business outreach survey and interview program first implemented in 2008, seeks to gather extensive intelligence on the condition of the local economy, said Pat Doyle, FEDA President.

“FEDA is committed to serving our local economy first, and by heading out and visiting with the men and women who employ thousands of Fairfield-area residents and who direct millions of dollars in capital investment, we ensure that we capture every opportunity to communicate with them as they plot expansion plans or who are considering pulling back as it relates to jobs or investment,” he said.  Doyle added that during the FEBI campaign, members from a six-member FEDA Board subcommittee will visit leaders at 36 of Fairfield’s largest employers in an effort to identify growth opportunities; retraction threats and gather marketplace, community and utility services satisfaction data.

The program takes a three-part approach to information gathering, said Samuel Busch, FEDA Administrator and controller of the FEBI program.  The first component, a company background information survey, has already been distributed to each of the participating companies and is expected to be returned by mid-April.  A live appointment follows.  “In the coming months, following receipt of the background forms, we will be contacting company officials to set up meetings during which two members of the FEBI subcommittee will visit the company site and conduct a comprehensive interview with question topics ranging in scope from international market share to local Internet service satisfaction,” Busch said.  The final component is a post-visit follow-up report submitted by FEBI committee members following the meeting to FEDA for analysis, he added.

Busch said that the results of the meetings will be analyzed, with trending, cluster potential and other factor reports generated via the eSynchronist PRIME economic development software FEDA has access to through a strategic regional relationship and compiled into a final report released to the community at the FEDA annual meeting in September.

The data collected, which can be aggregated hundreds of different ways at any time in order to better inform community and economic development-oriented decisions, said FEDA Executive Director Brent Willett, is a “powerful tool” which grows stronger following the execution of each generation of the Initiative.

“The 2008 campaign not only identified several ultimately successful expansion opportunities,” he said, pointing to a recent $2 million, 22-job project at Creative Master Shop as an example, “but also helped to form a foundation upon which we are now building our local business information database.  With each passing FEBI campaign, our understanding of the forces inside and outside our business community which influence investment and hiring behavior grows.”

“The beauty of the FEBI program is it both provides us with data that we are able to put to work to inform long-term strategic planning, which we did in the development of our 2011 Strategic Plan,” Willett said, “but also actionable intelligence on pending business decisions which demands our attention and the attention of community leadership immediately and which we otherwise may not have identified in time to affect a positive solution.”

Willett stressed that data collected during the private meetings is kept strictly confidential, pointing to a policy which permits only aggregate public data reporting of any kind and the fact that each participant in the program signs a binding confidentiality agreement.  “We’re asking questions designed to gauge business satisfaction levels and future plans.  In many cases, it’s highly sensitive information we collect, and we take that fact very seriously.”

The participation of company executives is critical. Every company executive is encouraged to take this opportunity to meet with FEDA to share views when contacted.

FEDA, established in 1979, works closely with local community development organizations, financial institutions and businesses, as well as agencies and elected officials in local, county, state and federal government to help facilitate economic growth in Fairfield by providing assistance in locating financing for business and community development projects, grant administration and land development.  The non-profit organization is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Legislative Breakfast series concludes with its final installment this Saturday, March 20th at 7:30 am at Best Western Fairfield Inn.

On hand will be the Fairfield area’s elected state representatives: Sen. Becky Schmitz of Fairfield, Rep. Larry Marek of rural Washington and Rep. Curt Hanson of Fairfield.

The representatives will dine, speak and answer the questions of their constituent Chamber members during a formal question-and-answer period.

The Breakfast comes as the Iowa legislative session approaches a self-imposed March 31 end-of-session deadline legislative leaders have set to conclude the 2010 assembly early in order to save the state money.

Legislative sessions stretch into April in most years.  Legislators can be expected to address legislation still alive late in the session, including proposed changes to Iowa’s tax credit, cell phone and open records laws.

Registration is required and is $12, which includes a hot breakfast.

To register for the Breakfast, contact the Chamber at 641-472-2111 or chamber@fairfieldiowa.com.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of its more than 350 member partners.  The Chamber produces dozens of community events year-round and works with local, state, regional and national partners to improve the Fairfield’s business environment and quality of life.  The Chamber’s 204 West Broadway offices also house the offices of the Fairfield Economic Development Association.

Tickets are now available for the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Banquet Presented by MidWestOne Bank, happening the evening of March 11 at Best Western Fairfield Inn. Fairfield City Councilman and attorney Myron Gookin returns for an encore performance as the evening’s emcee, as do award presenters Terry Baker and Jane Anne Harl, who will name winners in more than ten award categories.

The slate of programming awaiting those attending the celebration and dinner includes the Business. Community. Pride. Awards, which were first introduced in 2009, as well as time-honored traditions like the naming of the Libertyville Savings Bank Citizen of the Year, said Brent Willett, Chamber executive director.

“Every award we’ll hand out March 11 is designed to recognize investment and innovation on the part of Fairfield business and community institutions,” he said. “Be it capital improvements, resource redeployment, new media, or lifelong accomplishment, the Banquet is about celebrating progress in this community.”

In addition to the Business. Community. Pride. Awards, the Chamber will name a 2010 Citizen of the Year, which is awarded each year to the most outstanding Fairfield citizen. In 2009, Melva Dahl and Dr. Donal Hill were named Co-Citizens of the Year. Past winners of the prestigious honor determine the honoree(s) each year.

Aside from the awards, other Banquet programming will include a report on the City of Fairfield from Mayor Ed Malloy, remarks from Fairfield Economic Development Association President Pat Doyle, a “Night on the Town” basket silent auction and a photo slideshow of winners.

Award winners will be named in the following categories:

• Libertyville Savings Bank Citizen of the Year
  • Outstanding Fairfield citizen
• Cambridge Impact Award
  • Recognizing a longtime Chamber member who has made outstanding contributions to the Chamber and the community
• Progress Award
  • Business improvement or New Young Business of the year
• New Young Business Awards
  • Recognizing those businesses who entered their first year of existence in 2009 and who made marked improvements to their space of operation or product delivery
• Business Improvement Awards
  • Recognizing those businesses which made marked improvements to their space of operation in the last year
• Community Improvement Awards
  • Recognizing those community projects which made marked improvements to their theatre of operation in the last year
• Rising Star Award
  • Chamber member in its second or third year which has made outstanding early contributions to the Fairfield Area
• Chamber of Commerce
  • Adaptation Award
• Business which has redefined itself in the community or its marketplace over the last year. A transformation of purpose or product.
  • Interactive Media Award
• Web site/blog of the year
  • Web site/blog of the year
• President’s Award
  • Recognizing one outstanding contributor to the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce in 2009

The Annual Banquet, which begins with a cocktail hour at 5:45 pm and includes dinner, has sold out for the past several years, and reservations are required. Tickets are $30 and are available at the Chamber office at 204 West Broadway. Contact the Chamber by phone at 641-472-2111 or chamber@fairfieldiowa.com to reserve tickets.

For more information on the Annual Banquet, visit FairfieldIowa.com.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of its more than 350 member partners. The Chamber produces dozens of community events year-round and works with local, state, regional and national partners to improve the Fairfield’s business environment and quality of life. The Chamber’s 204 West Broadway offices also house the offices of the Fairfield Economic Development Association.

Image by Guy Harvey

The Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association (FEA), Fairfield Economic Development Association (FEDA) and Fairfield First announced the 2010 Local Economy Stimulus program, including a new micro-enterprise loan and access to equity capital, at the third annual Local Economy Summit held on Saturday, February 13 at Fairfield Public Library and attended by 50 people.

The Community Vitality Center recently awarded a $10,000 matching grant to Pathfinders Resource and Conservation District, FEA, Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa, and the Sustainable Living Coalition. The grant will be used to provide micro-enterprise loans for local food and energy-savings entrepreneurs in Southeast Iowa, as well as technical assistance and consulting services for those companies.

Elisabet Humble, local food coordinator for Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa, and John Dey, one of the owners of Everybody’s, said market demand was strong for more local food production. Dey suggested adding additional greenhouses in Fairfield to supply the local market.

Part of the CVC grant will be used to complete a feasibility study for a solar-heater hot water revolving loan fund for residents in Fairfield. According, to Lonnie Gamble, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Living at MUM, hot water uses 25% of the energy in an average home.

Dave Neff from Iowa State Bank said that plans are in the works for local bankers to provide renewable energy home improvement loans similar to the Fairfield Revitalization loan program. Neff also stated that Iowa State Bank was encouraging companies to take advantage of SBA loan financing this year because the loan guarantee is 90% with no loan fees for applications submitted prior to September 2010.

Burt Chojnowski reported that he was able to help secure a $6 million investment in a $75 million regional capital fund that will be actively seeking investments in Fairfield-based information technology, web-based, software, and specialty food businesses.

Brett Willett, Vice President of FEDA, reported that he and his staff have been working with Fairfield’s top 40 employers to nurture and support retention and expansion of jobs and training within Fairfield’s existing workforce.

Fairfield’s business sector is expected to see a 20% energy savings this year, according to Fairfield’s Green Business Council President, Ken Ross, CEO of Global ID. The Green Business Council includes manufacturers, office building owners, and non-profit building owners. The group has developed a game plan to audit and apply best technology and conservation practices to save money for local businesses.

Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenues have increased annually by 40% since 2001, according to Mayor Ed Malloy. He said the increase was due to the revitalization of Fairfield’s downtown retail economy due to Buy Local campaigns, the Revitalization Loan Program, Fairfield Art Walk, and Fairfield Arts and Convention Center (FACC). When asked it the May 4th election to use 12.5% of the LOST revenues to purchase the FACC would take away from other needed programs, Mayor Malloy said that these funds are discretionary and are not currently allocated for any other use. He also said that the expected purchase price of $1.15 million would be a way to protect the city’s previous investment of $1.6 million. Burt Chojnowski added that the $2.75 million total investment by the city was much less than the $8 million value of the property. Bob Ferguson, in charge of the fund-raising committee for FACC, said they have launched a 300 for $100 program to provide ongoing operational support and sustainability for FACC—and that a new initiative to secure 300 individuals or business pledges of $100 per month was underway.

FEA announced the publication of the 2010 Fairfield Business Review that will include the Fairfield entrepreneurial story and profiles of area businesses. The last Fairfield Business Review was published in 1980, and the 2010 edition will be available in print and online. The benefit for local businesses is to help tell their stories, increase customers, attract employees, and improve Internet search engine placement. Mario Van Dijk, FEA President, also announced a six-month mentoring program in marketing and social media to be led by Mark Cohen of Colloquy beginning in February.

The other day I was reading an article about what they don’t teach you at business school. What caught my eye was the photo of that guy on the new  tv show “lie to me”, which I happen to find an intriguing show. On occasion you see these articles. It seems these points are not just for business, they are life rules that should be taught, in any school.

1. Dealing with people. Isn’t this one of the bigger challenges in life for most?
2. Right or wrong? Right or wrong is a debatable subject, as what may be right for you, might not be for me. Fairness is it, or win-win, though mentioning that you want to do a win-win with someone, most roll their eyes. Actions speak louder than words, no? Prove it.
3. Having a life. How easy is it to get caught up in your business and forget or ignore other parts of your life. Probably because you love doing it. Other articles also talk about work-life balance. Can that really exist these days? Life is moving so fast. I don’t think the work-life (volunteering-….) balance as people were used to in the past, for most of us is an option anymore, so many things going on. What is needed is a different  type of balance. Also make sure one doesn’t go to extremes, and a family that helps works as as well. This can be another topic to discuss.
4. Managing risk. As an entrepreneur, business owner you take many risk, you have too if you want to survive, grow the business. How do you live with that, or sleep at night? Trouble making payroll? A critical order to a customer on time? How to incorporate risk in your life? One thing will help I believe: understand the downside of the major risks you are taking.By the way, another great topic for a book: do you really need to grow a business constantly? We’re so used to expand and grow, but is that [always] needed?
5. When to hold and fold. This would not just apply to business but many other aspects of life. There are not really magic formulas for stopping or going, though we certainly can come up with a few principles. Maybe that is part of your initial business summary goals? A tough one though, as you just know that success is always just around the corner.

Here is the link to the article.