Jones County Iowa Economic Development Commission
"Welcome to Jones County, IA. Thank you for visiting our economic development website. We are excited with what is happening here and encourage you to be part of it!!" (Click Here for Marty's Full PDF Letter) - Marty Kelzer (JCEDC Executive Director) Jones County Economic DevelopmentAugust Economic Development RoundtableThe August Jones County Economic Development Roundtable Presentation is scheduled for Tuesday August 10, 2010 at 12:00 (noon) - 1:00p.m. at the Renaissance Center in Monticello. Lunch will be provided ($5.00). Jason Wilson, with Wilson Tax Consulting, has been invited for a presentation on ‘The Tax Benefits of Doing Business in Iowa’. Jason is considered one of the premier state tax experts in the Midwest. He has earned countless awards depicting his distinguished career. One of Jason’s notable career highlights was being the consultant for discovering the Iowa film and tax credit issues that have gained national and international attention. He currently has started his own company, Wilson Tax Consulting. Presently, Jason focuses on credits and incentives, state-by-state tax analysis, loan application, assisting growing companies finding funding, R&D, cost segregation, state and local tax consulting, and state controversy consulting. Jason has filed for millions of dollars in tax refunds for companies in various tax types. Jason spent ten years in various public accounting firms managing state and local tax practice focusing on all state and local tax credits, including federal tax credits such as R & D and cost segregation. Prior to that, Jason worked eight years for the Iowa Department of Revenue where he wrote tax law, answered tax questions of all tax types, examined individual and cooperate income tax returns, and managed S Corp and Cal Cap Refund Programs. Iowa a Top State for Doing BusinessFor the third year in a row, Iowa has cracked the top 10 as one of the “Top States for Doing Business” according to CNBC. Iowa had an overall ranking of sixth, and scored number one in the cost of doing business. The cost of doing business looked at the tax burden, including individual income and property taxes, business taxes, gas tax and utility costs. State workers’ compensation insurance costs, as well as rental costs for office space were also considered. Iowa also scored well in the quality of life, economy, education, business friendliness and cost of living, and was above average in workforce. It scored weaker regarding transportation, technology and access to capital. States that have a solid economy were also noted in the report as good for business. States like Iowa that scored well here had a diverse economy in a variety of industries. They also had basic indicators of economic health and growth and a number of major corporations located within the state. Iowa had the highest score of any state in the Midwest and Missouri was the only other Midwest state to make the top 20, but scored 39th in quality of life. The bottom five states in order were Alaska, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Nevada and West Virginia. CNBC’s “Top States for Doing Business” study used publicly available data on 40 different measurers. States received points based on their ranking in each metric, and then were separated into ten categories. Ignite To Host Social Media SeminarIgnite (Jones County Young Professional Group) When: Wednesday, July 28th at Noon Where: Monticello Renaissance Center. Lunch:$5 Please RSVP to Rick Meyer by July 26 at rick@rickmeyerinsurance.com Jeff McEachron a Senior Vice President and Director, Internet Operations at Henry Russell Bruce. Among many other things, Jeff is responsible for all Interactive, Web, email marketing, Web design, social media, optimization and online strategies and executions. He spearheads everything related to online and non-traditional media. He is a Web strategist and programmer with a unique understanding of multiple technologies and how to apply and integrate them for the benefit of clients. Jeff has a unique background and relevant experience. He graduated number one in Air Force Leadership School and served as a Strategic Management Advisor and Strategic Planning Consultant for the United States Air Force, CEO of an Inc 5000 manufacturing company, and Founder/President of both a Web development firm and the Internet Marketing Group. Jeff is Google AdWords and Google Analytics certified and has devoted several years of his life to understanding the most effective ways to build and optimize Web sites and implement social media. For more information about Henry Russell Bruce, visit http://www.hrb-ideas.com. Jones County Unemployment RateJones County's most recent unemployment rate is as follows: April 2010 - 7.3% May 2010 - 6.1% State of Iowa: April 2010 - 6.9% May 2010 - 6.8% U.S. Statistics: April 2010 - 9.9% May 2010 - 9.7% *Information from iowaworkforce.org U.S. Chamber of Commerce praises Iowa efforts to encourage new jMany national reports have drawn attention to Iowa’s solid fiscal management and economic strength. The latest comes from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation. It ranks Iowa eighth in the nation for state policies that support private sector job creation. According to the Enterprising Statesstudy, “Iowa’s approach to economic development focuses on developing a skilled workforce, increasing job and wealth creation, and promoting entrepreneurship.” The report goes on to explain that “Iowa has made a concerted effort to assist businesses to be more competitive, innovative and profitable in expanding international trade and exports.” CEO / Manager Network EveningThank You to everyone that was able to join us at the Spring 2010 CEO/Manager Network Evening!! See you again this fall! Jones Regional Medical Center Now OPEN Kirkwood Community College Grand Opening The new center occupies 8 acres along Highway 151 in Monticello, strategically located near the midpoint between Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. The center houses state-of-the-art classrooms, career and technical labs for academic programs, and administrative offices. Jones County Area Building in ProgressBuildingInProgress.jpg Careers Initiative Press ReleasePressRelease-Careers.pdf 2008 Laborshed Analysis Report!2008LaborshedAnalysisReport.pdf Standard and Poor's Praises Iowa's stabilityIn September, Standard and Poor's, the world's foremost credit analyst, gave Iowa their highest rating, "AAA." Standard and Poor's praised Iowa's stability, as well as the Legislature's efforts to diversify the economy and our commitment to the state's "rainy day fund." We're one of only 11 states to achieve this best-possible rating, so it's a real vote of confidence in our bipartisan efforts. Why Jones County?Jones County is located in the heart of Eastern Iowa and central to major U.S. markets. We are within five hours of Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Madison and Omaha with easy access to the crossroads of America, Interstates 80 and 35. From a shipping perspective, it makes sense to do business in Iowa; but you will also find our people well-educated and friendly, our business environment strong and a quality of life that makes others want to call Iowa their home. The Jones County Economic Development Commission is here to assist in growing your business and ready to locate new business in our shovel-ready parks and available buildings. |
Included in the Jones County Economic Development area are the cities of Anamosa,
Monticello, Olin, Oxford Junction, Wyoming, and many more welcoming communities.
Click HERE forCounty GIS! |
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The new Jones Regional Medical Center is now open. A fantastic 12.8 million dollar addition to Jones County. From the employees to the donors of this facility, Congratulations to everyone that put their time and effort into this magnificent asset to our county! 
Hundreds of educators, parents, donors, and others came to see the new Kirkwood Community College facility last Thursday afternoon. The new college is another phenomenal addition to Jones County. Classes began in this 32,000 square foot educational complex in mid-August. Congratulations to everyone for their dedication to this project. A fantastic facility!