Located in the heart of America in the southeastern portion of Iowa, Lee County not only embodies Midwestern charm, but is home to a multitude of Fortune 500 and international companies that are continuously growing. Located along the Mississippi River and centered between Interstates 80, 35, 55 and 70.
of Lee County Schools participate in STEM Scale-Ups
Potential Regional Labor Force
Manufacturing Jobs
A Workforce/Business Retention and Expansion project focused on growing and increasing the quality of Lee County’s workforce
Grow Lee is a collaborative effort spearheaded and facilitated by Lee County EDG
Goal: Ensure an adequate workforce that meets the current and future needs of our employers.
One-on-one Synchronist interviews were conducted with industries representing Lee County’s top 20 employers. These companies represent over 4,000 workers, or 94% of manufacturing employees in Lee County. Data from the Synchronist interviews determined workforce to be the No. 1 Business Retention and Expansion issue facing Lee County industries.
Lee County EDG has hosted 15 Talent for Today and Tomorrow over four years to solicit input from our investors and Lee County stakeholders. Information from these meetings, combined with data collected from our Synchronist interviews, to form a program of action called Grow Lee.
Initially, Grow Lee consisted of 10 workforce initiatives however through collaboration it has expanded beyond the original programs. The initiative was designed to develop a pipeline of workers for current and future careers. The programs included a Lego Robotics program for elementary school students, to an employabiltiy class for high school students called 12 Plus, and up-training our existing workforce through stackable certificates utilizing our community college's new Industrial Technology Center.
Even before they kicked off their public Connect Lee County Campaign, the Lee County Economic Development Group announced it is past 60% of its goal.
The news came as an affirmation of the work being done in the sphere of county economic development by LCEDG at Thursday morning's investors' breakfast at the organization's office in Montrose.
IEDC's annual Excellence Awards honor the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the profession
...Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that Lee County Economic Development Group has attained a measure of excellence, assuring that their trust is well-placed and their business is in good hands.
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