The department has the following areas of primary responsibility:
1. Finance. To provide for financial assistance to businesses, local governments, and educational institutions through loans and grants of state and federal funds to enable them to promote and achieve economic development within the state. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
a. Expend federal funds received as community development block grants as provided in section 8.41.
b. Provide staff assistance to the corporation formed un- der authority of sections 15E.11 to 15E.16 to receive and dis- burse funds to further the overall development and well-being of the state.
c. Provide financial assistance to local development corporations as provided for in sections 15E.25 through 15E.29. Such financial assistance is subject to the availability of funds in the building loan fund established in section 15E.26.
d. Provide administration for the Iowa seed capital corporation created in sections 15E.81 to 15E.94.
2. Marketing. To coordinate, develop, and make available technical services on the state and local levels in order to aid businesses in their start-up or expansion in the state. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
a. Establish within the department a federal procurement office staffed with individuals experienced in marketing to federal agencies.
b. Aid in the marketing and promotion of Iowa products and services. The department may adopt, subject to the approval of the board, a label or trademark identifying Iowa products and services together with any other appropriate design or inscription and this label or trademark shall be registered in the office of the secretary of state. In authorizing the use of a marketing label or trademark to an applicant, the state, and any state agency, official, or employee involved in the authorization, is immune from a civil suit for damages, including but not limited to a suit based on contract, breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability, or tort. Authorization of the use of a marketing label or trademark by the state, or any state agency, official, or employee, is not an express or implied guarantee or warranty concerning the safety, fitness, merchantability, or use of the applicant's product or service. This paragraph does not create a duty of care to the applicant or any other person.
(1) The department may register or file the label or trademark under the laws of the United States or any foreign country which permits registration, making the registration as an association or through an individual for the use and benefit of the department.
(2) The department shall establish guidelines for granting authority to use the label or trademark to persons or firms who make a satisfactory showing to the department that the product or service meets the guidelines as manufactured, processed, or originating in Iowa. The trademark or label use shall be registered with the department.
(3) A person shall not use the label or trademark or advertise it, or attach it on any promotional literature, manufactured article or agricultural product without the approval of the department.
(4) The department may deny permission to use the label or trademark if the department believes that the planned use would adversely affect the use of the label or trademark as a marketing tool for Iowa products or its use would be inconsistent with the marketing objectives of the department. Notwithstanding chapter 17A, the Iowa administrative procedure Act, the department may suspend permission to use the label or trademark prior to an evidentiary hearing which shall be held within a reasonable period of time following the denial.
c. Promote an import substitution program to encourage the purchase of domestically produced Iowa goods by identifying and inventorying potential purchasers and the firms that can supply them, contacting the suppliers to determine their interest and ability in meeting the potential demand, and making the buyers aware of the potential suppliers.
d. Aid in the promotion and development of the agricultural processing industry in the state.
3. Local government and service coordination. To coordinate the development of state and local government economic development-related programs in order to promote efficient and economic use of federal, state, local, and private resources.
a. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
(1) Provide the mechanisms to promote and facilitate the coordination of management and technical assistance services to Iowa businesses and industries and to communities by the department, by the community colleges, and by the state board of regents institutions, including the small business development centers, the center for industrial research and service, and extension activities. In order to achieve this goal, the department may establish periodic meetings with representatives from the community colleges and the state board of regents institutions to develop this coordination. The community colleges and the state board of regents institutions shall cooperate with the department in seeking to avoid duplication of economic development services through greater coordinating efforts in the utilization of space, personnel, and materials and in the development of referral and outreach networks. The department shall annually report on the degree to which economic development activities have been coordinated and the degree to which there are future coordination needs, and the community colleges and the state board of regents institutions shall be given an opportunity to review and comment on this report prior to its printing or release. The department shall also establish a registry of applications for federal funds related to management and technical assistance programs.
(2) Provide office space and staff assistance to the city development board as provided in section 368.9.
(3) Provide technical and financial assistance to local and regional government organizations in Iowa, analyze intergovernmental relations in Iowa, and recommend policies to state agencies, local governments, the governor, and the general assembly as these pertain to economic development.
(4) Train field experts in local development and through them provide continuing support to small local organizations.
b. In addition to the duties specified in paragraph "a", the department may:
(1) Perform state and interstate comprehensive planning and related activities.
(2) Perform planning for metropolitan or regional areas or areas of rapid urbanization including interstate areas.
(3) Provide planning assistance to cities, other municipalities, counties, groups of adjacent communities, metropolitan and regional areas, and official governmental planning agencies.
(4) Assist public or private universities and colleges and urban centers to:
(a) Organize, initiate, develop, and expand programs which will provide special training in skills needed for economic and efficient community development.
(b) Support state and local research that is needed in connection with community development.
4. Exporting. To promote and aid in the marketing and sale of Iowa industrial and agricultural products and services outside of the state. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
a. Establish and carry out the purposes of the Iowa export trading company as provided in sections 15E.106 to 15E.108.
b. Prepare a report for the governor and the general assembly indicating the areas of export development in which this state could be more actively involved and how this involvement could occur. The initial report shall be available to the governor and members of the general assembly by December 1, 1986. Subsequent reports may be submitted as deemed necessary. The report shall include, but is not limited to:
(1) Information on the financial requirements of export trade activity and the potential roles for state involvement in export trade financing.
(2) Information on financing of export trade activity undertaken by other states and the results of this activity.
(3) Recommendations for a long-term export trade policy for the state.
(4) Recommendations regarding state involvement in export trade financing requirements.
(5) Other findings and recommendations deemed relevant to the understanding of export trade development.
c. Perform the duties and activities specified for the agricultural marketing program under sections 15.201 and 15.202.
d. Perform the duties and activities specified for the industrial and business export trade plan under section 15.231.
e. To the extent deemed feasible and in coordination with the board of regents and the area community colleges, work to establish a conversational foreign language training program.
f. To the extent deemed feasible, promote and assist in the creation of one or more international currency and barter exchanges.
g. Seek assistance and advice from the export advisory board appointed by the governor and the Iowa district export council which advises the United States department of commerce. The governor is authorized to appoint an export advisory board.
h. To the extent deemed feasible, develop a program in which graduates of Iowa institutions of higher education or former residents of the state who are residing in foreign countries and who are familiar with the language and customs of those countries are utilized as cultural advisors for the department and for Iowa businesses participating in trade missions and other foreign trade activities, and in which foreign students studying at Iowa institutions of higher education are provided means to establish contact with Iowa businesses engaged in export activities, and in which foreign students returning to their home countries are used as contacts for trading purposes.
5. Tourism. To promote Iowa's public and private recreation and tourism opportunities to Iowans and out-of- state visitors and aid promotional and development efforts by local governments and the private sector. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
a. Build general public consensus and support for Iowa's public and private recreation, tourism, and leisure opportunities and needs.
b. Recommend high quality site management and maintenance standards for all public and private recreation and tourism opportunities.
c. Coordinate and develop with the state department of transportation, the state department of natural resources, the state department of cultural affairs, and other state agencies public interpretation and education programs which encourage Iowans and out-of-state visitors to participate in recreation and leisure opportunities available in Iowa.
d. Coordinate with other divisions of the department to add Iowa's recreation, tourism, and leisure resources to the agricultural and other images which characterize the state on a national level.
e. Consolidate and coordinate the many existing sources of information about local, regional, statewide, and national opportunities into a comprehensive, state-of-the-art information delivery system for Iowans and out-of-state visitors.
f. Formulate and direct marketing and promotion programs to specific out-of-state market populations exhibiting the highest potential for consuming Iowa's public and private tourism products.
g. Provide ongoing long-range planning on a statewide basis for improvements in Iowa's public and private tourism opportunities.
h. Provide the private sector and local communities with advisory services including analysis of existing resources and deficiencies, general development and financial planning, marketing guidance, hospitality training, and others.
i. Measure the change in public opinion of Iowans regarding the importance of recreation, tourism, and leisure.
j. Provide annual monitoring of tourism visitation by Iowans and out-of-state visitors to Iowa attractions, public and private employment levels, and other economic indicators of the recreation and tourism industry and report predictable trends.
k. Identify new business investment opportunities for private enterprise in the recreation and tourism industry.
l. Cooperate with and seek assistance from the state department of cultural affairs.
m. Seek coordination with and assistance from the state department of natural resources in regard to the Mississippi river parkway under chapter 308 for the purposes of furthering tourism efforts.
n. Collect, assemble, and publish a list of farmers who have agreed to host overnight guests, for purposes of promoting agriculture in the state and farm tourism, to the extent that funds are available.
o. Establish a revolving fund to receive contributions to be used for cooperative advertising efforts. Fees and royalties obtained as a result of licensing the use of logos and other creative materials for sale by private vendors on selected products may be deposited in the fund. The department shall adopt by rule a schedule for fees and royalties to be charged.
The department may establish a revolving fund to receive contributions and funds from the product sales center to be used for start-up or expansion of tourism special events, fairs, and festivals as established by department rule.
6. Employee training and retraining. To develop employee training and retraining strategies in coordination with the department of education and department of workforce development as tools for business development, business expansion, and enhanced competitiveness of Iowa industry, which will promote economic growth and the creation of new job opportunities and to administer related programs. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
a. Coordinate and perform the duties specified under the Iowa industrial new jobs training Act in chapter 260E, the Iowa jobs training Act in chapter 260F, and the workforce development fund in section 15.341.
b. In performing the duties set out in paragraph "a", the department shall:
(1) Work closely with representatives of business and industry, labor organizations, the council on human investment, the department of education, the department of workforce development, and educational institutions to determine the employee training needs of Iowa employers, and where possible, provide for the development of industry- specific training programs.
(2) Promote Iowa employee training programs to potential and existing Iowa employers and to employer associations.
(3) Develop annual goals and objectives which will identify both short-term and long-term methods to improve program performance, create employment opportunities for residents, and enhance the delivery of services.
(4) Stimulate the creation of innovative employee training and skills development activities, including business consortium and supplier network training programs, and new employee development training models.
(5) Coordinate employee training activities with other economic development finance programs to stimulate job growth.
(6) Review workforce development initiatives as they relate to the state's economic development agenda, recommending action as necessary to meet the needs of Iowa's communities and businesses.
(7) Incorporate workforce development as a component of community-based economic development activities.
7. Small business. To provide assistance to small business, targeted small business, and entrepreneurs creating small businesses to ensure continued viability and growth. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
a. Receive and review complaints from individual small businesses that relate to rules or decisions of state agencies, and refer questions and complaints to a governmental agency where appropriate.
b. Establish and administer the regulatory information service provided for in section 15E.17.
c. Aid for the development and implementation of the Iowa targeted small business procurement Act established in sections 73.15 through 73.21 and the targeted small business financial assistance program established in section 15.247. The duties of the director under this paragraph include the following:
(1) The director, in conjunction with the director of the department of management, shall publicize the procurement goal program for targeted small businesses and to agencies of state government, attempt to locate targeted small businesses able to perform contracts, and encourage program participation. The director may request the cooperation of the department of general services, the department of transportation, the state board of regents, or any other agency of state government in publicizing this program.
(2) The director, in conjunction with the director of the department of management, shall publicize the financial assistance program established in section 15.247 to targeted small businesses.
(3) When the director determines, or is notified by the head of another agency of state government, that a targeted small business is unable to perform a procurement contract, the director shall assist the small business in attempting to remedy the causes of the inability to perform. In assisting the small business, the director may use any management or financial assistance programs available through state or governmental agencies or private sources.
(4) The director, in conjunction with the director of the department of management and jointly with the universities under the jurisdiction of the state board of regents, and the community colleges, shall develop and make available in all areas of the state, programs to offer and deliver concentrated, in-depth advice and services to assist targeted small businesses. The advice and services shall extend to all areas of business management in its practical application, including but not limited to accounting, engineering, drafting, grant writing, obtaining financing, locating bond markets, market analysis, and projections of profit and loss.
(5) The director shall submit an annual report to the governor and the general assembly relating progress toward realizing the goals and objectives of the procurement goal program and the financial assistance program established in section 15.247 during the preceding fiscal year. The director of the department of management shall assist in compiling the data to be included in the report. The report shall include the following information:
(a) The total dollar value and number of potential targeted small business procurement contracts identified and the percentage of total state procurements this reflects.
(b) The total dollar value and number of procurement contracts awarded to targeted small businesses with appropriate designation as to the total number and value of contracts awarded to each certified targeted small business, and the percentages of the total state procurements the figures of total dollar value and the number of targeted small business contracts reflect.
(c) The number of contracts which were designated to satisfy targeted small business procurement goals established pursuant to sections 73.15 through 73.21, but which were not awarded to a targeted small business, the estimated total dollar value of these awards, the lowest offer or bid on each of these awards made by the small business and the price at which these contracts were awarded pursuant to the normal procurement procedures.
(d) The efforts undertaken to identify targeted small businesses and to publicize and encourage participation in the procurement goal and loan guarantee programs during the preceding year.
(e) The efforts undertaken to develop technical assistance programs and to remedy the inability of targeted small businesses to perform on potential procurement contracts.
(f) Information about the number of applications received and processed by the Iowa finance authority under the loan guarantee program, the value of loans guaranteed, and follow- up information on targeted small businesses which have been awarded loan guarantees.
(g) The director's recommendations for strengthening the procurement goal program and delivery of services to targeted small businesses. The director of the department of management shall provide recommendations to the director regarding strengthening contract compliance activities by state agencies.
(h) The department of general services, the department of transportation, the state board of regents, and all other agencies of state government shall provide all relevant information requested by the director for the preparation of the annual report.
d. If determined necessary by the board, provide training for bank loan officers to increase their level of expertise in regard to business loans.
e. To the extent feasible, cooperate with the department of workforce development to establish a program to educate existing employers and new or potential employers on the rates and workings of the state unemployment compensation program and the state workers' compensation program.
f. Study the feasibility of reducing the total number of state licenses, permits, and certificates required to conduct small businesses.
g. Encourage and assist small businesses to obtain state contracts and subcontracts by cooperating with the directors of purchasing in the department of general services, the state board of regents, and the department of transportation in performing the following functions:
(1) Developing a uniform small business vendor application form which can be adopted by all agencies and departments of state government to identify small businesses and targeted small businesses which desire to sell goods and services to the state. This form shall also contain information which can be used to determine certification as a targeted small business pursuant to section 10A.104, subsection 8.
(2) Compiling and maintaining a comprehensive source list of small businesses.
(3) Assuring that responsible small businesses are solicited on each suitable purchase.
(4) Assisting small businesses in complying with the procedures for bidding and negotiating for contracts.
(5) Simplifying procurement specifications and terms in order to increase the opportunities for small business participation.
(6) When economically feasible, dividing total purchases into tasks or quantities to permit maximum small business participation.
(7) Preparing timely forecasts of repetitive contracting requirements by dollar volume and types of contracts to enhance the participation of responsible small businesses in the public purchasing process.
(8) Developing a mechanism to measure and monitor the amount of participation by small businesses in state procurement.
h. In addition, the department shall provide assistance to a small business advisory council which shall consist of nine members appointed as follows:
(1) Not more than five of the members shall be from the same political party. The governor shall appoint the members of the advisory council to four-year terms beginning and ending as provided by section 69.19, subject to confirmation by the senate. Two-thirds of the membership of the advisory council shall consist of individuals who own and operate a small business or individuals employed in the management of a small business.
(2) A vacancy on the advisory council shall be filled in the same manner as regular appointments are made for the unexpired portion of the regular term.
(3) The advisory council shall meet in May of each year for the purpose of electing one of its members as chairperson and one of its members as vice chairperson. However, the chairperson and vice chairperson shall not be from the same political party. The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly.
(4) Members of the advisory council shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. All expenses shall be paid from appropriations to the department for those purposes.
(5) The duties of the advisory council may include but shall not be limited to the following:
(a) Advise and consult with the board with respect to matters which are of concern to small business.
(b) Submit recommendations to the board relating to actual or proposed activities concerning small business.
(c) Submit recommendations for legislative or administrative action.
(d) Review and monitor small business programs and agencies in order to determine their effectiveness and whether they complement or compete with each other, and to coordinate the delivery of programs and services aimed at small businesses.
(e) Initiate small business studies as deemed necessary.
(f) Provide other information or perform other duties which would be of assistance to small business.
i. Assist in the development, promotion, implementation, and administration of a statewide network of regional corporations designed to increase the availability of financing for small businesses as provided for in sections 15.261 through 15.268. The department shall administer this paragraph subject to the availability of funds in the small business economic development corporation fund established in section 15.263.
j. Establish and administer the economic development deaf interpreters revolving fund.
k. Administer the Iowa "self-employment loan program" under section 15.241.
8. Case management. To provide case management assistance to low-income persons for the purpose of establishing or expanding small business ventures as provided in section 15.246.
9. Miscellaneous. To provide other necessary services, the department shall:
a. Collect and assemble, or cause to have collected and assembled, all pertinent information available regarding the industrial, agricultural, and public and private recreation and tourism opportunities and possibilities of the state of Iowa, including raw materials and products that may be produced from them; power and water resources; transportation facilities; available markets; the banking and financing facilities; the availability of industrial sites; the advantages of the state as a whole, and the particular sections of the state, as industrial locations; the development of a grain alcohol motor fuel industry and its related products; and other fields of research and study as the board deems necessary. This information, as far as possible, shall consider both the encouragement of new industrial enterprises in the state and the expansion of industries now existing within the state, and allied fields to those industries. The information shall also consider the changing composition of the Iowa family and the level of poverty among different age groups and different family structures in Iowa society and their impact on Iowa families.
b. Apply for, receive, contract for, and expend federal funds and grants and funds and grants from other sources.
c. Except as otherwise provided in sections 7D.33, 15E.82, 15E.87, 260C.14, and 262.9, provide that an inventor whose research is funded in whole or in part by the state shall assign to the state a proportionate part of the inventor's rights to a letter patent resulting from that research. Royalties or earnings derived from a letter patent shall be paid to the treasurer of state and credited by the treasurer to the general fund of the state. However, the department in conjunction with other state agencies, including the board of regents, shall provide incentives to inventors whose research is funded in whole or in part by the state for having their products produced in the state. These incentives may include taking a smaller portion of the inventor's royalties or earnings than would otherwise occur under this paragraph or other provisions of the law.
d. Administer or oversee federal rural economic development programs in the state.
e. At the director's discretion, accept payment by credit card of any fees, interest, penalties, subscriptions, registrations, purchases, or other payments, or any portion of such payments, which are due or collected by the department. The department may adjust the amount of the payment to reflect the costs of processing the payment as determined by the treasurer of state and the payment by credit card shall include, in addition to all other charges, any discount charged by the credit card issuer.
f. Provide technical assistance to individuals who are pursuing the purchase and operation of employee-owned businesses.
10. Economic development planning and research activities. To provide leadership and support for economic and community development activities statewide. To carry out this responsibility, the department may establish a research center for economic development programs and services whose duties may include but are not limited to the following:
a. Implementation of a comprehensive statewide economic development planning process and provision of leadership, coordination, and support to regional and local economic and community planning efforts.
b. Coordination of the delivery of economic and community development programs with other local, regional, state, federal, and private sector programs and activities.
c. Collection and analysis of data and information, development of databases and performing research to keep abreast of Iowa's present economic base, changing market demands, and emerging trends, including identification of targeted markets and development of marketing strategies.
d. Provision of access to databases to facilitate sales and exports by Iowa businesses.
e. Establishment of a database of community and economic information to aid local, regional, and statewide economic development and service delivery efforts.
11. Housing development.
a. To provide assistance to local governments, housing organizations, economic development groups, and other local entities to increase the development of housing in the state and to improve the quality of existing housing in order to maximize the effects of other economic development efforts.
b. To carry out this responsibility, the department shall:
(1) Provide housing needs assessments.
(2) Provide a one-stop source, in coordination with other agencies of the state, for housing development assistance.
(3) Establish programs which assist communities or local entities in developing housing to meet a range of community needs, including programs to assist homeless shelter operations and programs to assist in the development of housing to enhance economic development opportunities in the community.
86 Acts, ch 1142, § 1; 86 Acts, ch 1238, § 44; 86 Acts, ch 1245, § 808; 87 Acts, ch 101, § 2; 87 Acts, ch 106, § 1; 88 Acts, ch 1098, § 1; 88 Acts, ch 1273, § 6--;8; 89 Acts, ch 258, § 12; 89 Acts, ch 196, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 209, § 1; 90 Acts, ch 1047, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1140, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1156, §3; 90 Acts, ch 1255, §2; 91 Acts, ch 28, §1; 91 Acts, ch 109, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1089, § 1; 92 Acts, ch 1244, § 11; 93 Acts, ch 167, §9; 93 Acts, ch 180, §34, 35; 94 Acts, ch 1023, §4; 94 Acts, ch 1199, §16; 96 Acts, ch 1186, §1--;4, 23; 97 Acts, ch 15, §1, 2; 97 Acts, ch 214, §1
Referred to in § 15.241, 73.20
© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
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