Coalition of governors joins forces to support U.S. beef industry: Beef Plant Tour Tomorrow

Posted on March 28, 2012 | 1 Comment

(DES MOINES) – A coalition of governors is joining forces to support the U.S. beef industry and set the record straight about lean finely textured beef, releasing a statement and conducting a Beef Plant Tour.

Lean finely textured beef is a 100% beef, 95% lean, nutritious, safe, quality and affordable beef product eaten by Americans for 20 years. The production and food safety technologies employed to make lean finely textured beef are USDA-approved, and it is produced in USDA-inspected meat processing facilities.

Govs. Terry Branstad (Iowa); Sam Brownback (Kansas); Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, standing in for South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is on a trade mission in China; Dave Heineman (Nebraska); and Rick Perry (Texas) today jointly issued the following statement:

“Our states proudly produce food for the country and the world – and we do so with the highest commitment toward product safety.  Lean, finely textured beef is a safe, nutritious product that is backed by sound science.  It is unfortunate when inaccurate information causes an unnecessary panic among consumers.

“By taking this safe product out of the market, grocery retailers and consumers are allowing media sensationalism to trump sound science. This is a disservice to the beef industry, hundreds of workers who make their livings producing this safe product and consumers as a whole.

“Ultimately, it will be the consumer who pays for taking this safe product out of the market. The price of ground beef will rise as ranchers work to raise as many as 1.5 million more head of cattle to replace safe beef no longer consumed because of the baseless media scare.

“We urge grocery retailers, consumers and members of the media to seek the facts behind lean finely textured beef. Science supports keeping the lean beef product on grocery store shelves for the benefit of American agriculture and consumers alike.”

Already, more than 650 workers in Kansas, Texas and Iowa have been temporarily laid off. According to the National Meat Association, as many as 3,000 American jobs will be affected when suppliers are also factored in.

A coalition of governors and state leaders will conduct a Beef Plant Tour at BPI in South Sioux City, Neb. facility, Thursday, March 29. A full list of participants will be available tomorrow.

Four members of the media will accompany the governors on their Beef Plant Tour and pool their coverage. For broadcast, CNN will be the pool and will provide onsite HD playback of plant video after the press conference. Details for print media will be available onsite.

A news conference at the Marina Inn Conference Center (385 East 4th St., South Sioux City, NE 68776) will follow the tour for all interested media and will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m.

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Vote Blue Day!

Posted on March 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Blue Zones are places around the world where people live healthier, happier lives by spending time with friends and family, exercising naturally, eating healthy foods, and redeveloping and transforming their communities into positive, inspiring environments.  Sioux City is one of eleven communities across the state being considered to become a Blue Zones Demonstration Site.

Vote for Sioux City to become a Blue Zones Demonstration Site on Thursday, March 29th.  Visit http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup and take 30 seconds to enter your name, email address, city, and zip code to show your support for a healthier Sioux City.  Computers at the Downtown Library (Wilbur Alfs) and Morningside Library will be available for residents to sign up and patrons at all three libraries will receive a Blue Zones bookmark with instruction on how to vote.

Think of fun and creative ways to get your employees, friends and neighbors to vote at http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup.

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Posted in General info, Uncategorized

Interstate 29 Construction Update

Posted on March 27, 2012 | 1 Comment

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Starting Tuesday, March 27 after 9:00 p.m. the contractor’s operation will require the closure of Interstate 29 for up to 20 minutes to allow the removal of overhead sign trusses. Motorists can expect similar closures to occur on Wednesday, March 28.

Also, starting Tuesday, March 27 construction operations will begin on I-29 between Hamilton Blvd and Riverside Blvd. Northbound traffic will be shifted to the southbound lanes by the end of the week.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 28 the contractor will move southbound I-29 to the northbound lanes near Singing Hills Blvd interchange to allow the next phase of construction in Segment 1.

Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 29 to Friday, March 30 at 8:00 p.m., the contractor will move traffic to the east bridge on the Wesley Parkway Interchange. See map below or click here to download the map, US 77 to I-29 NB (blue detour), I-29 NB to US 77 (red detour), Wesley Parkway to I-29 SB (yellow detour) and I-29 SB to Wesley Parkway (green detour). This set of detours will resume after the bridge demolition on April 2.

March 29 Sioux City Interstate 29 Detour Map

 

Friday, March 30, 2012
The contractor will begin demolition on the west bridge over I-29 after 8 p.m. on Friday, March 30. I-29 traffic will be routed on the ramps, around the demolition. Friday, March 30 the contractor will close I-29 after 8 p.m. to start the bridge removal over I-29. I-29 will be open before 6 a.m. on Monday, April 2. See detour map below or click here to see the detour for the weekend of March 30. US 77 to I-29 NB (yellow detour), I-29 NB to US 77 WB (red detour) and Wesley Parkway to I-29 SB (blue detour).

March 30 Sioux City Interstate 29 Detour Map

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Posted in General info, Interstate 29 Construction Update, News

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Beef Products, Inc.

Posted on March 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Beef Products, Inc. (BPI), one of Siouxland’s leading local companies, has been the victim of tremendous misinformation recently.  Beef Products Inc.Please take the time to become more familiar with this company and their products by visiting www.beefproducts.com and www.beefisbeef.com.  You might also be interested in viewing the following videos which are very enlightening.

Beef Products Inc. New Testing for E.coli
Jamie Oliver Mischaracterizes Lean Beef

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South Dakota Legislative Update

Posted on February 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

The South Dakota Legislature is nearing the end of the 2012 session. Legislators will finish most of their work on Friday, March 2nd. They will return on March 19th to consider any legislation that may have been vetoed by the governor before adjourning sine die.

Dakota Valley Business Council (DVBC) members meet with South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard on February 8, 2012 on the DVBC's annual Pierre Legislative Days

The remaining days of this years session will be devoted to appropriations for the next fiscal year, education initiatives and a few other bills that are still pending.

The Dakota Valley Business Council (DVBC) continues to follow the spending bills and several education issues. Another bill of interest is HB 1132. That bill would allow employees and others to have firearms in locked vehicles parked on the employers premises. The bill has been opposed by many business organizations in South Dakota but remains “alive” in the waning days of the session. The Dakota Valley Business Council has taken a formal position in opposition to HB 1132.

The DVBC is also following several bills dealing with changes to the video lottery industry in South Dakota.  Information on all bills, amendments, and floor action can be found on the South Dakota Legislature website.

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Posted in Legislative Update

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Iowa Legislature “Funnel Week”

Posted on February 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

This week the Iowa Legislature is in “funnel week”.  What does “funnel week” mean?  It means  all non-tax and spending bills need to be passed out of committee by the end of this week or they are dead for the year.  This will be a busy week in the Iowa Legislature.

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce members meet with Governor Branstad on January 25, 2012 on the Chamber's annual Des Moines Legislative Day

Last week we saw the passage of the House property tax bill backed by House Republicans and the Governor.  It was voted out of the House last Tuesday (February 14th) by a vote of 60-39.  The bill – HF 2274 - moves the School Foundation Aid from local property taxes onto General Fund dollars, includes a rollback of of 5% a year over 8 years as well as a 15% exemption for commercial/industrial properties under $400,000 valuation, includes spending limitations for local government and a 2% cap on the rate at which taxes increase.  The bill is expected to meet strong resistance in the Senate, but will hopefully begin a dialogue between the two chambers on a potential compromise on this important issue.

Education Reform (HSB 517 ) is scheduled to be debated today in the Iowa House Education Committee.  Governor Branstad in October revealed a 10-year plan to transform Iowa’s education system.  In January the Governor released a plan that includes:

  • Retaining third-graders who can’t read
  • Requiring high school students to take end-of-course exams before they graduate
  • Evaluating teachers annually
  • Widening the path for starting charter schools

To view HSB 517, click here.

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Iowa Legislative Update

Posted on February 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Below is a brief update on the past week’s happenings at the Iowa legislature specifically in regards to economic development issues.  Information on all bills, amendments, and floor action can beImage found on the Iowa General Assembly website at:  www.legis.iowa.gov.  We have also included links to the bills mentioned below.

Property Tax
HF 2274, is a compromise bill brokered between House Republicans and the Governor.  The new bill combines aspects of both original bills (HSB 500 and HSB 519).  The bill includes the House of Representatives provision to move the School Foundation Aid from local property taxes onto State General Fund dollars.  The bill also includes rollback of 5% a year over 8 years as well as a 15% exemption for properties under $400,000 valuation in order to bring more relief to smaller businesses sooner.  The bill includes the same spending limitations for local government as both bills originally included and a 2% cap on the rate at which taxes can increase.  The bill passed out of committee on Wednesday and should see action on the House floor as early as next week.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
HSB 540 and SSB 3118 were discussed in subcommittee meetings this past week.  Both bills are aimed at limiting TIF, although the Senate bill is more measured in its approach.

Economic Development Programs
SSB 3110, introduced by the Iowa Economic Development Authority overhauls and cleans up several aspects of existing economic development programs and makes an effort to create a new funding stream for economic development incentives.  The subcommittee met for the first time this past week regarding the bill.

Chamber members mark your calendar for next week’s Government Relations meeting with guest speaker Rep. Jeremy Taylor.  The meeting will be on Friday, February 17th at 7:00 a.m. in the lower level conference room at the Chamber of Commerce.

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Workplace Breastfeeding Support

Posted on February 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

Is it worth it for your business?                

Sure it is! It will improve your bottom line.

When a breastfeeding mother returns to work after maternity leave, she wants to be a productive and profitable employee in addition to being a good mother.  By helping women continue to breastfeed after they return to work, your business could benefit:

  • Lower employee turnover
  • Less employee absenteeism
  • Improved morale and loyalty of employees
  • Reduced overtime or temporary worker cost
  • Reduced health insurance claims
  • Reputation as family friendly business

Breastfed babies get less sick from infections and illnesses like diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Breasfeeding mothers are at a lower risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer.  A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics estimated that our country can save $13 billion a year from reduced medical and other costs if 90% of mothers choose to breastfeed their babies exclusively for 6 months.

Your business can support breastfeeding by allowing breaks for a mother to pump at work and providing a private area other than a restroom to pump. Check out this video to see how an employer in Colorado supports a breastfeeding employee.

Please take this survey and help us assess Workplace Breastfeeding Support in Siouxland.

- Siouxland District Health Department 

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Mary Koster, Executive Secretary

Posted on December 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

We have been getting calls about whether or not there are restaurants in Siouxland open on Christmas day.  Found only one – Bev’s on the River is open December 25 from 10am to 4pm for their buffet.    Many of our restaurants are either closing early on December 24 or not open at all.  Please call ahead for hours of operation.

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Posted in Chamber Members, General info, Sioux City Metro

Fun Bike Racks Are In

Posted on December 7, 2011 | 1 Comment

After almost two years working on this project I’m proud to say that we now not only have more bike racks in Siouxland, but we have racks that look nice too.

20111207-111305.jpg

I’m also proud to say that we were able to do this working with the city and private donors without using taxpayers dollars. We thank Scheels for their support. As well as SIMPCO and the Siouxland Trails Assc. for their collaboration with the Chamber’s Community Enhancement Committee.

Look for more to be installed in the spring-a variety of shapes colors and sizes!

Beth Trejo-Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

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Posted in News, Press Release

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