Greater Dubuque: Destination for Opportunity Campaign History We have come a long way in four years, but Greater Dubuque’s Board of Directors believes it is not time to rest on our laurels. After meeting and exceeding our River Valley Initiative goals, only four years into a five-year plan, The Greater Dubuque Development Board of Directors took another bold step in June of 2006. They approved a motion to conduct a feasibility study to determine the focus for a new campaign that would address new challenges and opportunities for the Greater Dubuque area. Moving forward With the success of our last initiative, the Board of Directors decided to continue looking forward and plan for the future. This began with one-on-one meetings with 67 of our community’s business leaders to gather their impressions about our local economy—past, present, and future. The results from this feasibility study indicated that business leaders overwhelmingly recognized the impact that our last initiative, the River Valley Initiative, had on our local economy. It also identified the areas that Greater Dubuque Development needed to focus on for the next five years. This study also revealed that there is still much to do to assure that the success of Dubuque’s economy continues. The study resulted in clear focus on business retention and attraction, workforce development, and new business recruitment. Our local employers also emphasized how important it was to create a new initiative for the future with defined strategies and specific goals. This resulted in the creation of the Greater Dubuque: Destination for Opportunity campaign. Leadership Successes and our challenges are not ours alone. Greater Dubuque works closely with city, county, state, and federal officials and maintains partnerships with local employers, regional and state development groups, utility and telecommunications companies, local developers, educational institutions, and business groups. These collaborations were especially vital as we planned, implemented, and as we execute the next five-year campaign. Individuals from these organizations generously donate their time and expertise to guide the mission of Greater Dubuque. David Becker, President of Cottingham & Butler led the campaign as the Campaign Chairperson. He was joined by Campaign Co-Chairs, Lynn B. Fuller, President and CEO of Heartland Financial USA, Inc and Jim Theisen, President of Theisen Supply Inc. Fuller and Theisen worked closely with Becker to develop and promote the campaign. These individuals spearhead the mission to inform other businesses leaders of the Destination for Opportunity campaign and the impact it can have on the future of Dubuque. Campaign Funding To secure the funding necessary to run a successful, five-year development strategy, investments were sought from businesses, foundations, and individuals in the Greater Dubuque area and consist of pledges that are payable over a five-year term. A campaign goal of $6.2 million was established and funded from three sources: Private sector, Public sector, individuals, and financial participation from the AccessDubuqueJobs.com web site. The investment goal was exceeded in July of 2006. More about Investing Campaign Investor List Our Mission Our mission over the next five years includes Business Retention & Expansion, Workforce Development: Recruitment & Retention, New Business Recruitment, and Retail Expansion. View our mission Our Goals To measure our success, Greater Dubuque Development plans to help create new jobs, increase wage levels, spur commercial constructions, and population growth. View our goals Investing It is not too late to invest in the future of the Greater Dubuque area. Campaign Investors have taken an active role in the development of our community. View our Investor list Greater Dubuque Development | 300 Main Street, Suite 120 | Dubuque, IA 52001 | 563.557.9049