Quad States Regional Transformation http://www.qsrt.org Global competitiveness and economic prosperity for SW MO, SE KS, NE OK, and NW AR Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:12:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Green business survey underway http://www.qsrt.org/?p=104 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=104#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:59:20 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=104
The Heartland 411 partnership is seeking input from local businesses on green activities and the workforce needs of local employers.  Participation in this survey will help identify high-demand occupations in the coming years and better align training programs to meet those demands.  With more information on the type and number of green jobs in our region, regional leaders can be better prepared to track industry and employment growth in the green economy in the years ahead.
For the purposes of this survey, a green job is a job which produces a green product and/or provides a green service in one of the following five core green-related areas:
  • Producing Renewable Energy
  • Increasing Energy Efficiency
  • Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation
  • Pollution Prevention and Environmental Cleanup
  • Clean Transportation and Fuels

As an integral part of the 4-states’ economy, input on this survey will help to develop a more informed foundation for future policy, workforce and economic decisions.  Survey invitations are out on the street as of mid-August.  A PDF copy of the survey is provided at the link below.   Actual survey responses are being collected through an online survey form.  If applicable, a jobs spreadsheet is available to provide additional detail.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=104 Local green firms featured in national magazine http://www.qsrt.org/?p=103 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=103#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:10:03 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=103 Eagle-Picher along with Able Manufacturing and Assembly LLC, both of Joplin, are featured as prime examples of firms seizing green business opportunities noted in the July/August 2010 issue of Trade and Development magazine.  The article, titled It’s (Becoming) Easy to be Green, showcases green supply chain opportunities nationally.

The Joplin references start on page 22 of the print edition with the Eagle-Picher’s solutions that are emerging to solve the energy storage dilemma, which is seen as the largest gap that prevents alternative energy from reaching its potential.    Able Manufacturing’s capability to produce intricate composite components now fills the need for several large-scale alternative energy projects.

The magazine has a printer-friendly digital format that preserves the page layout of the actual magazine.  Visit the publication’s website to view the digital edition.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=103 Fayetteville named to nation’s top list of unexpectedly green cities http://www.qsrt.org/?p=102 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=102#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:08:42 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=102 The Huffington Post selected seven top locations nationwide for cities that have the honor of being “unexpectedly green.”  Fayetteville, AR made this list along with towns in Oregon, Alabama, New Hampshire, Texas, Nevada, and California.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=102 Four-States town makes list of nation’s top cities http://www.qsrt.org/?p=101 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=101#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:39:02 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=101 Rogers, Arkansas is one the nation’s top small cities, according to rankings from CNNMoney.com.  Rogers nabbed the number ten slot in the list of 100.  ”These terrific small cities - even now - boast plenty of jobs, great schools, safe streets, low crime, lots to do, charm, and other features that make a town great for raising a family,” according to CNN Money.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=101 National report cites leadership as key to regional development http://www.qsrt.org/?p=100 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=100#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:31:51 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=100 The Council on Competitiveness recent released Collaborate: Leading Regional Innovation Clusters, which identifies effective leadership as the cornerstone of regional economic growth, job creation and shared prosperity.

Collaborate brings into focus the unexamined issues of regional leadership and explores the role of regional leadership in a globally competitive environment. The report was commissioned by the Economic Development Agency at the U.S. Department of Commerce to understand how regional collaboration can become a bedrock for national competitiveness.

“Regional leadership is critically important but little understood. The practice of regional leadership often runs ahead of theory. This report summarizes the state of practice and offers useful suggestions on how to move the field forward on a national basis,” said Doug Henton, Chairman and CEO, Collaborative Economics.

Among the challenges to regional collaboration is the absence of political jurisdictions that correspond to economic regions in the United States. As a result, we do not have adequate mechanisms to make decisions on a regional basis. Read Collaborate to discover strategies aimed at overcoming this, and other challenges, to make US regions globally competitive.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=100 Sector Competency Framework Summit set for June 29th http://www.qsrt.org/?p=99 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=99#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:41:06 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=99 The Heartland 411 partnership is pleased to host a day-long training and collaboration summit on Industry Sector Competency Frameworks Tuesday, June 29th.  The event runs 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Saracen Room at Downstream Casino Resort.

What is a Sector Competency Framework?

Comprehensive and readily accessible industry competency models that document the foundational and technical skills and competencies required for workplace success in economically important industries. Industry competency models provide a resource for the development of curriculum, certifications, and the tests that assess work-related competencies.

The Heartland 411 partnership of workforce, economic development, and education professionals team up with business sector leaders to design the competency models relevant to the Four-States Region that fill gaps in supply and demand for businesses and the workforce.

Who Should Attend?

Practitioners and program designers in workforce and economic development, education, and industry associations will all gain insights on the tools helpful to achieve talent development goals for the region.  Competency models form the foundation for developing curriculum and selecting training materials, and for licensure and certification requirements, job descriptions, recruiting and hiring, and performance reviews.

What happens on Tuesday, June 29th?

Roderick Nunn, the Vice-Chancellor of Workforce and Community Development at St. Louis Community College, facilitates a day-long training and collaboration session on the design and deployment of sector competency models.  Rod brings valuable expertise to this Heartland 411 event, having led multi‐million dollar business/industry‐based education and training programs throughout Missouri and Illinois.

The festive environment of the Downstream Casino Resort serves as the backdrop for the event, which includes a buffet luncheon with a staggering variety of oriental, Mexican, Italian, and southern cuisines.  The meeting will be in the Saracen Room in the hotel section of the resort.  Downstream is conveniently located off Interstate 44, Exit 1, and the Tri-State marker for Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

How Do I Sign Up?

Send your contact information to Jasen Jones by email to ceo@workforcezone.net.  Jasen will notify you of your registration and send specific information on the event the day before.  Jasen may be reached by phone at 417-206-1717, Extension 224.  For more information on the Heartland 411 regional development initiative, visit the website at www.heartland411.org.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=99 2010 SEK Business Conference blazes new trail http://www.qsrt.org/?p=98 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=98#comments Tue, 18 May 2010 14:40:27 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=98 Southeast Kansas, Inc., SE Kansas Human Resources Association, and Labette Community College are pleased to announce the most comprehensive business conference for Southeast Kansas’s Business community in many years.  The 2010 Southeast Kansas Business Conference is set for August 5th at Labette Community College in Parsons.  Nationally recognized speakers discuss the topics that are most critical to today’s business environment.  This is your organization’s unique opportunity to hear and discuss the most up to date information on a wide variety of meaningful issues.

Who Should Attend

This conference is designed to benefit small business owners and managers, as well as human resource professionals and financial officers.  With the broad range of topics, it is relevant to manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, educators, bankers, etc.  It is advised to bring as many members of your management staff as possible.  There is limited seating (200 max.) so please register early.

Session Topics

  • Health Care Reform’s Effect on Business
  • KS Dept. of Commerce Incentive, Credits and Awards
  • Business Survival in Today’s Political Climate
  • Strategic Planning Your Business’s Future
  • Business Legal Changes
  • Employment Law Changes
  • Kansas Legislative Review for 2010 Session and Outlook for 2011
  • Controlling Health Care Costs
  • Hiring Right the First Time
  • Human Resources 101

Presenters/Subject Matter Experts

  • KS Sec. of Commerce William Thornton
  • Wyatt Wright, Esq.
  • Andrew Thengvall, Esq.
  • Natalie Bright, Esq.
  • Dennis George, CEO
  • Russ Moen, SPHR
  • Walter Keener, SPHR
  • Phil Hayes, SPHR
  • Sue Goldsmith, SPHR

Registration Info

Individual Full day cost is: $149
Early bird special prior to July 4th: $134
SEK, Inc. and SEK HR mbrs: $134 (prior to July 4th: $120)
Company discount:  Add as many colleagues as you wish for only $49 each!

Limited vendor space and advertising opportunities are available as well.  Contact Stacey Stuart, sstuart@rsihomeproducts.com, for more information.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=98 Workshop offered to explore social media tools for regional prosperity http://www.qsrt.org/?p=97 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=97#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 00:32:01 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=97 Heartland 411 is proud to present nationally-known workforce thought leader, Sandra Hastings on Friday, May 14th. The workshop on social media outreach for regional economic development will help the Four-States region boost its one-stop workforce and economic development system outreach through low-cost, high-impact channels.

Following introductions and a brief update on the Heartland 411 initiative, Sandi will guide participants on how to unleash the power of internet tools to improve service delivery for job creation as well program outcomes.  After a networking lunch, the workshop focuses on social media techniques to improve business outreach and tools to enhance the image and influence of regional partners.

The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Springdale, AR. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and participants are encouraged to register quickly.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=97 Regional Youth Workforce Summit announced http://www.qsrt.org/?p=96 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=96#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:46:36 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=96 Youth Council stakeholders from the WIBs across the Four-States Region are gathering for a day-long networking and collaboration summit on the vision for the future of the youth workforce.  The acclaimed Jones Center for Families at Springdale, Arkansas is the location for the summit, slated for 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13th.

The summit opens with a brief orientation targeted to youth system stakeholders on Regional Economic Transformation in the Four-States area.  The keynote presenter for the Summit is nationally-known workforce leader , Sandra Hastings.  The summit targets Youth Council members, youth partner agencies, and WIA Youth providers.  Participants will gain insights into the strategic role of WIB Youth Councils in regional economic transformation and how leaders can engaged cross-state collaboration.  Sandra’s training includes tips on capacity-building for Youth Council and their respective stakeholder networks to more effectively pursue and attain goals.

A networking lunch offers attendees a chance to get better-acquainted with cross-state colleagues.  The afternoon agenda includes breakout sessions and group collaborationon next steps for Shared Youth Vision opportunities and regional impact.  The summit wraps up by 3:00 with a summary of upcoming events, projects, and ways to get further involved in regional economic transformation.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited so RSVP today!  For more information, contact Jasen Jones at the SW MO WIB by email to ceo@workforcezone.net or by phone at (417) 206-1717, Extension 224.

]]> http://www.qsrt.org/?feed=rss2&p=96 Region seeks ultra-fast broadband initiative through BbBB http://www.qsrt.org/?p=95 http://www.qsrt.org/?p=95#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:40:47 +0000 admin http://www.qsrt.org/?p=95 BbBBThe regional development partnerships among chambers of commerce, economic development, business leaders, educators, and communities are seizing an opportunity to propel the area forward to ultra-fast broadband connectivity.   Spanning six of the region’s counties with ideal adjacency and assets, the emerging Broadband Beyond Borders (BbBB) initiative seeks a selection by Google to fund and implement a test-pilot gigabit broadband service.

Project leaders are urging local stakeholders to engage the project online through www.broadbandbeyondborders.com and by taking an online survey through Google that is linked on the BbBB site.  The deadline for survey participation is Friday, March 26th.

As a stakeholder in regional transformation, the QSRT partners are highly-committed to the success of BbBB initiative as well.   Giga-bit fiber to the home is important to expand training resources, employment opportunities (such as Rural Sourcing and telecommuting), and overall connectivity of citizens to associations, governments, and other networks.  Gary Box, a Business Retention Coordinator at the SW MO WIB, is assisting the BbBB group with economic development market data needed for the BbBB’s proposal.

BbBB

The Heartland Giga-Region initiative enjoys an innovative foundation based on a regional transformation framework driven heavily by broadband connectivity.  The region’s borderless economic development approach integrates asset-based planning and research, workforce training and employment systems, and sector-based business leadership.   Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) teamed up with local economic developers to launch Quad States Regional Transformation (QSRT) in early 2008.  QSRT quickly engaged stakeholders through a series of Regional Chamber impact summits.  QSRT created strategies for Rural Sourcing, the leveraging of rural assets and competitive factors to reverse the trends of off-shoring by adding technology sector jobs in rural areas.   Asset-based research and planning initiatives shared through QSRT helped equip chamber leaders and community benefactors to design and launch the Regional Prosperity Initiative, which netted more than $3 million in resource leveraging to attain economic development outcomes slated in the next three-five years.

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