Timeline
The steppingstones of our journey.
| Join us as we step through time, highlighting the business solutions and outreach programs that we have provided to countless businesses along the way. |
2012-2013
ADVANCE IOWA was established with a vision to deliver comprehensive outreach and consulting programs specifically tailored for mid-sized companies across the state of Iowa. Our mission is to offer holistic solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these businesses, ensuring their growth and success in a competitive market.
2015-2016
Growth: ADVANCE IOWA collaborates with the Center for Business Growth and Innovation to create the extensive Small Business Report, the fourth statewide survey conducted in Iowa.
Transition: Began work with Business Ownership Transition and related services around it. In 2016, our succession planning services begin.
2018
Transition: Conversations initiated with ESOP representatives for need of an Employee Ownership Center in Iowa.
2020
Growth: Reconstructed to better serve you and joined the Building a Better Iowa bandwagon.
Transition: Received Heartland Challenge Grant from the Kauffman Foundation to identify and promote Employee Ownership in Iowa.
2021-2022
Growth: 2022: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) joined forces with two universities, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and Youngstown State University (YSU). This FOUNDRY 4.0 Partnership aims to provide American based foundries with the competitive edge in technology while optimizing productivity, output, and product quality, catapulting American-based foundries forward.
Transition: A grant was received from the Invest Taskforce within Empower Rural Iowa to continue Employee Ownership Cooperative work with the support of the Iowa Rural Development Council. In 2022, the Central Standards Grant was received from the Kauffman Foundation. Established partnerships with IRDC, Drake Law, Buena Vista University, and local communities.
2023
Growth: FOUNDRY 4.0 Partnership continues to move forward, assisting foundries and their supply chain to reduce costs, shorten deadlines, and deploy excellence in quality and customer satisfaction for a sustainable, resilient future.
Transition: Ford Foundation grant is awarded to UNI, the Wilson College of Business, and the IA-CEO. The first annual IA-CEO conference is held May 11th in Newton, Iowa.
2024
Growth: FOUNDRY 4.0 Partnership launches the Steps to Success Workshop series kicks-off at Donsco, Inc. on January 10 & 11, 2024 and at Lodge Manufacturing on January 24 & 25, 2024. In September, the DLA project scope of work is completed, however, ADVANCE IOWA continues with the next steps that bridge the skills and opportunity gap of Industry and Foundry 4.0. One step involves the Last Tactical Mile Impact 2.0, which began in the fall of 2024. The focus is on additive manufacturing for metal casting and the workshop series plans to raise the bar on high-impact education and networking for foundries and their supply chain partners.
Transition: Ford Foundation grant is awarded to UNI, the Wilson College of Business and the IA-CEO. In October, employee ownership month, the second annual IA-CEO conference is held on October 16th in Ankeny, Iowa.
2025
Growth: The Last Tactical Mile Impact 2.0 begins the year in Birmingham, Alabama and plans several events throughout the year. The focus is on additive manufacturing for metal casting and the workshop series plans to raise the bar on high-impact education and networking for foundries and their supply chain partners.
Transition: October 23rd, the 3rd annual IA-CEO conference will be held in Ankeny, Iowa and the Ford Foundation grant continues.
Let's talk.
8120 Jennings Drive | Cedar Falls, IA 50614
319-273-4692 | info@advanceiowa.com
Todd.Hutcheson@uni.edu
Janell.Crow@uni.edu