Louisa Development
Group Column
Angie Sanders,
Executive Director
Week of February 18,
2008
Recently, on behalf of LDG, I had to update the LOIS (Location One Information System) internet database of buildings, sites and communities. Alliant Energy is a subscriber of LOIS, and all Alliant Energy communities are encouraged to use the system. In fact, I had to update it in order to be in compliance for a grant that the Great River Region Partnership received.
The general public can access the site from a community, state or utility Web site that has integrated LOIS. One of the main functions, however, is as a comprehensive regional website for site selectors (those savvy, sometimes secretive, locators, who work for companies looking to expand, relocate or start new).
Many different informational pieces go on the website – from individual community demographics, to transportation information to utilities including water and sewer capacities. For Wapello and Columbus Junction, much of this was completed before I came on board in July. But for many of the smaller communities, I was researching online, contacting mayors and other resources – some of which didn’t have the answers.
In similar request and research
fashion, I’ve had to look up utility company maps of
Along these lines, an important component for economic development is a county-wide “infrastructure and utility location and capacity analysis.”[1] This analysis identifies the types and capacities of air, rail, water and road transportation – some of the exact information I have had to gather for LOIS. It also includes the location and capacity of water, sewer, gas, electricity, telephone (land and wireless) and data transfer (fiber, cable, wireless, satellite and telephone). These are essential resources for economic development efforts and for private investors. In addition, areas targeted for specific development can be marketed.
For instance, a community that can describe a development location details by roadway access, electric capacity, water and sewer capacity, etc is heads above the community that describes its location as having “good road access with utilities available.”
This may seem unreasonable and even a little mundane, but with a concerted, cohesive and county-wide effort, we can continue to update the LOIS website in order to attract future businesses. If nothing else, it educates us on what we have available so that when Grimm Bros. decides to expand again or a future ethanol plant wants to partner with local resources, we can be proactive.
As you probably already know, LDG works with minimal financial resources, so sometimes duties get spread thin. Please be patient as we update important information like this. And for those landholders, real estate companies and other entities that we may request certain information for LOIS or a possible county-wide infrastructure analysis, we appreciate your timely and accurate responses.
If you have any questions on LDG and its economic development efforts, please don’t hesitate to call the office at 319-527-5182 or email ldg@louisacomm.net. As always, we look forward to your input!