Top Priorities: Building Healthy CommUNITY & Critical/Essential Infrastructure...Requirements in order to:
1) Create High Quality Jobs/Upskilling for Advanced Options
2) Ignite Strong Innovation & Technology-Driven Businesses &     3) Improve Quality of Life Through Community Development  
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Together with a strong council, department heads, economic developer, city administration, other stakeholder groups and constituents, all will be invited to participate in listening and visioning sessions. The council and I along with the city administration will then create a comprehensive economic development and strategic plan committed to a shared vision!

Areas of Expertise 

• Asset-based Community & Economic Development
​• Talent Pipeline Development, Retention and Engagement 
• Place-based Marketing • Strategy for Talent and Business Attraction
• Strategic Planning, Visioning, SWOT Analysis
• Regional and Rural Development 
• Organizational Development
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Leadership Development
• Business Development, Planning, Succession/Transition/Resiliency Strategy
• Target Industry Lead Generation Strategy
• Public Relations, Marketing & Branding
• Social Media Strategy & Execution
​• Site Selection
• Event Planning & Management
• Fundraising
​• Grant Writing for Federal and State Grants, Grant Administration & Reporting 

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Certifications

• Certified Professional Community & Economic Developer (PCED) 2016
• President’s Award, National Rural Economic Developers Association 2015
• Graduated Midwest Community Development Institute (3 years) 2014
• Certified 8 to Great Trainer/Facilitator Program 2013
• Accredited Business Planning Advisor (ABPA) – Apogee Center 2012
• Certified REAL Colors® Trainer/Facilitator 2010
• Certified Business Retention Expansion Coordinator – BREI 2010
• Graduated Heartland Basic Economic Development Course (IEDC) 2009
• Completed Energizing Entrepreneurs in Rural America Institute 2007
​• Completed Grant Writing USA Workshop 2006

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Affiliations and Volunteer Service

• National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
• National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA), Board Director representing Iowa
• Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program Committee (representing all of western Iowa)
• Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI)
• Red Oak Rotary Member
• CityLight Southwest Iowa Member
• Montgomery County Recreational Trails, Chair
• Montgomery County Family Success Network (aka Child Abuse Council), Chair
• Mid America Economic Development Council (MAEDC)
• Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA)
• Business Retention & Expansion International (BREI) 

"Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress; Working together is success!" - Henry Ford
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Shawnna Silvius for Mayor of Red Oak, Iowa