Mid Iowa Growth Partnership
Regional Innovation Grant
Talking Points

• MIGP received $250,000 Through the Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration-DOL, ETA
• This 18 month grant will be used to develop a regional economic and strategic plan-This is only a planning grant. The next step would be to apply for additional grants, much larger grants to implement this regional economic and strategic plan.
• SWOT analysis will be done, along with asset mapping, and social network mapping
• We have hired a team lead by the Iowa Innovation Gateway/ABI and includes several members (Maher & Maher, EMSI, and Innovative Leadership) who worked on the original RIG for Newton.
• The strategic planning that we have done in the past has been a driving factor for MIGP from an economic development standpoint. The Regional Innovation Grant will allow us to gather outside resources on a larger scale by identifying and reaching out to a broader audience and engaging them. We are not duplicating or replacing existing plans, simply using them as a resource tool.
• It is critical that we have YOUR involvement! We will need your leadership and expertise in developing a plan that will transform our region by promoting growth in renewable energy, value-added agriculture, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, entrepreneurship, healthcare and education.