ABI News

Public Policy Front and Center

At ABI, we respect policy-makers and the legislative process.  As a forward-thinking association, we seek to work with legislators and the Governor to advance Iowa and we approach this work positively.  However, 2008 Session of the Iowa General Assembly is providing many opportunities to share information about the negative impact of several bad-for-business bills proposed by Iowa legislators.  Please stay in close touch with your legislative delegation; let your legislators know about your business and the impact of their work on you and your employees.  Your real-world information is a key element to a successful legislative session for ABI and our members.  On behalf of the ABI Board of Directors, thank you for your participation in this important work.

New ABI Membership Committee Holds First Meeting

An important association meeting was held last Thursday in Des Moines.  The meeting was the first meeting of the new ABI Membership Committee, which was chaired by ABI Board Member Mara Sovey (Deere & Company, Johnston).

Member numbers have been on a slow rise for several months.  However, as ABI Executive Committee Member Sarah McDonald Hasken (A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company, Dubuque) has long pointed out, a targeted approach involving greater member participation will enhance the association’s attempts to recruit new members.  Based on the terrific meeting held last week, it is clear that is the case.

At last week’s meeting, members participating represented companies in several industries and of several sizes from across Iowa.  These volunteers developed a targeted approach that resulted in the creation of three subcommittees designed to strengthen and improve ABI’s membership programs.  The subcommittees will focus on recruitment, services, and internal operations, all with an eye towards creating exponential growth.  In fact, the committee developed a goal of increasing ABI membership by 10 percent between now and the end of the year.

Look for more information soon.  In the meantime, thank you to Sarah, to Mara, and to all involved.

MCC Invites ABI Members to Free Program, Discussion about Foreign trade Assistance

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is a U.S. government agency that implements an innovative program of foreign assistance for qualifying countries around the world.  As a relatively new government agency, the MCC is not well known to the agribusiness community.  Because of this, the MCC is hosting a program from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on February 27 at the Scheman Conference Center at Iowa State University in Ames.  The program is free and lunch will be provided.

ABI members currently doing business with customers outside the United States – or who wish to do business with customers outside the United States – have specifically been invited to participate in the program by the MCC.  The program will provide specific information about the MCC and how it can aid your business.  Again, the program is free of charge.  You can register by contacting Jody Larson at ISU at jlarson@iastate.edu.  Make your plans now to send your marketing or business development staff members to this free, short program.

FMLA Expanded for Military Leave

The Dickinson Law Firm reports that the federal Family and Medical Leave Act has been expanded.  Employers are required to permit family members to take up to 26 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave to care for a member of the Armed Forces who is undergoing medical treatment or temporary disability.  Further, employers must provide up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave in the case of a “qualifying exigency.”  This is one more FMLA issue about which your HR staff should be aware.  Should you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact your legal counsel, ABI Advisory Council member law firms BrownWinick or Davis Brown, or the Dickinson Firm. 

New Market Tax Credits Available Now

In the past, ABI has told you of a new program of the federal government that provides assistance to employers who are expanding or relocating their facilities.  The assistance comes in the form of tax credits and they are specifically targeted to help states like Iowa generate economic activity.  Former ABI Board Member John Rigler (Security State Bank, New Hampton) is a leader in developing the program as it applies to Iowa.

Later this week you will receive more detailed information from me about the program and how it can impact your business.  Please carefully consider how this assistance can help your company expand.

IDED Announces New Environmental Business Web Site

The Iowa Department of Economic Development has announced the establishment of a new Web portal providing environmental business assistance.  The new portal should ease the work involved in searching for regulatory requirements and assistance resources.  The new site listing is as follows: http://regassist.iowa.gov/business_resources/environ_assistance/index.html .  Should you have questions or comments about the site, please contact IDED Regulatory Assistance Coordinator Sherry Timmons at sherry.timmins@iowalifechanging.com or at (515) 242-4901.