Contact: Nancy Craig (319) 786-4788
Event will focus on growing your own jobs and wealth
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – September 12, 2008 – Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company, wants to help Midwest communities plant the seeds of success for economic development. The utility company plans to host an interactive, one-day workshop called Economic Gardening: Growing your own jobs and wealth in Riverside , Iowa , on September 22, 2008.
Chris Gibbons, Director-Business and Industry Affairs Department, City of Littleton , Colorado , will facilitate the workshop. Gibbons runs an internationally recognized and award-winning program – Economic Gardening. In the workshop, Gibbons will share his gardening tools and techniques for growing vibrant, prosperous communities. The session is designed for elected officials, economic development professionals and boards and community / business leaders in Midwest communities.
“Gibbon’s mission is to bring the tools and skills necessary for success to the people who care the most – those who choose to make rural communities and regions their home,” said Diane Ramsey, Director, Economic and Community Development-Alliant Energy. “His workshop will help community leaders understand the importance of entrepreneurs to their local economy and will help them build a foundation of support for entrepreneurs.”
Registration, a continental breakfast and networking begin at 7:30. Each workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Through an interactive process, workshop attendees will:
· Understand the community trap and why rural communities get caught;
· Evaluate what your community needs to cultivate entrepreneurs;
· Determine actions to jump start your team and build a supporting infrastructure.
“One of the most significant ways we can help communities succeed is through partnership and education,” added Tom Aller, President, Interstate Power and Light. “The Economic Gardening workshop promises to be an information-packed day where city leaders can connect with one another, share ideas and leave with practical advice on improving their communities. I hope many community leaders will participate.”
Workshops will be offered at various locations on the following dates:
September 22, 2008 – Riverside , Iowa
September 23, 2008 – Belmont , Wisconsin
September 24, 2008 – Madison , Wisconsin
October 13 – Albert Lea , Minnesota
October 14 – Ames , Iowa
October 15, 2008 – Creston , Iowa
For more details and to register, visit http://www.midwestsites.com or contact Shelly Turner via e-mail at: shellyturner@alliantenergy.com
Alliant Energy Corporation is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Interstate Power and Light Company, the company’s Iowa utility subsidiary, serves approximately 523,000 electric and 235,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com.
