In the 1980s, Dubuque was experiencing difficult times. The city had double-digit unemployment, an exodus of residents from the community, struggling downtown businesses and disconnected neighborhoods. However, community leaders from the private and public sectors came together in four community visioning efforts over the past 30 years that helped change Dubuque. These leaders focused on grassroots efforts to address downtown redevelopment and industrial expansion.
Keynote speaker Rick Dickinson, president and CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, will share insights gained from Dubuque at the Green County Development Corporation Annual Dinner and Recognition Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Dickinson, along with Dubuque’s mayor and city manager, has been credited with leading Dubuque out of economic despair and into a shining example of city growth and prosperity. All three believed that city government had an important role in creating opportunities for private-sector investment. Public-private partnerships encouraged government and business to work together to solve problems to everyone’s benefit. Dubuque Initiatives, a quasi-public group, included as members city employees, city manager, elected officials and leaders of area nonprofits and the private sector.
By transforming its leadership and approach to development, Dubuque has truly turned itself around. Today, residents enjoy the benefits of a robust business climate and a beautifully redeveloped river district. Recent recognitions include being named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People, the Most Livable Small City, and an Iowa Great Place, as well as having been named an All-America City.
Dickinson’s presentation promises to be relevant and enlightening for Green County elected officials, and community and business leaders.
GCDC’s Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner is open to the public. Tickets are now available and cost $40 each; tables of eight are available for $320. The dinner, held at Turner Hall in Monroe, begins with a social hour at 4:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. After dinner and before our keynote speaker, we’ll give some brief highlights of GCDC activities over the past year, and then announce the winners for our business awards: Outstanding Business, Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Richard B. Schmied Leadership awards.
It’s always a pleasure to honor the businesses and individuals at the forefront of our communities.
Tickets can be ordered online through a link on the GCDC website at greencountyedc.com. (A service fee applies for online orders.) To be invoiced for tickets, contact gcdc@tds.net or call the GCDC office at 608-328-9452.
See you at Turner Hall on Feb. 25.
— Cara Carper is executive director at Green County Development Corporation. She can be reached at cara.gcdc@tds.net.
