TUESDAY, AUG. 7, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE
DDrake launches state's first accredited online MBA program 
 
The Drake University campus in Des Moines. CREDIT DRAKE 
Drake University in Des Moines has announced it is now accepting applications for its new online Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA), with coursework scheduled to begin in August.
 
Designed to meet the needs of working professionals across geographies, Drake officials said the new online programs would combine the quality of a Drake degree with the flexibility and convenience of online learning. The school is the first institution in Iowa accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) to offer a MBA program fully online.
 
"We are excited to move our program offerings online to expand our reach and better serve the needs of the working professional," said Dan Connolly, dean of the university's College of Business and Public Administration, in a release. "Through technology, we can bring our rigorous and high-quality business programs and our talented faculty directly to our students, wherever and whenever they want. This allows graduate students to better balance school, work and family."
 
Mr. Connolly said the online offerings were created in direct response to requests from students and employers. The online programs will not replace Drake's face-to-face offerings, although they will allow the school to offer a hybrid degree format, combining online and in-person education.   
 
The online MBA and MPA are 39- and 36-credit hour programs, respectively, that can be completed in as little as two years. Curriculum for the MBA focuses on a balance of strategic decision-making, ethical leadership, and analytical reasoning, with specific tracks in health care and data analytics leadership. The MPA emphasizes human resources, public policy, ethics, and decision-making with areas of focus on health care management and executive leadership development. 
  
The online programs will offer start dates six times per year. The application deadline for the first start date is Aug. 20. To apply, visit online.drake.edu or contact (844) 254-4221.
Para1This week's CBJ: Duane Arnold faces its final countdown 
 
Workers replace the copper wiring in Duane Arnold's main generator in 2012. PHOTO SARAH BINDER
The recent decision by NextEra Energy to close Iowa's only nu­clear power plant in 2020 will be a sharp blow to the Corridor, erasing more than 500 jobs and hundreds of millions in annual economic impact over a period of years.
 
NextEra Energy announced on July 27 that it intends to close the Duane Arnold Energy Center north of Palo in 2020, even though it is licensed to operate for another 14 years, until 2034. The company had already announced in January that it was planning to close the plant in 2025 because it did not expect its main customer, Alliant Energy, to renew its power purchase agreement (PPA) for the majority of the power produced by the 615-megawatt plant, and finding another customer given the current market environment might have been impossible.
 
Cleaning up Duane Arnold so that it's safe enough for other kinds of uses is a process that can take decades, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NextEra already has more than $400 million in reserve to pay for decommissioning the plant's operations, and the final cost is likely to be greater than that.
 
The trigger for the plant's closure in 2020 was Alliant's decision to pay NextEra $114 million to buy its way out of the PPA several years early. Further sweetening the deal was Alliant's agreement to replace most of the nuclear-generated power it was buying from Duane Arnold with lower-cost wind power from NextEra wind farms in Iowa.
 
Duane Arnold Energy Center has been one of most efficient and safely operated nuclear plants in the United States, according to NextEra. The plant generates about $255 million in annual spending in Iowa, according to a 2014 study by the Nuclear Energy Institute, and creates about 1,100 direct and indirect jobs. It is a large contributor to county property tax revenue, and has been a vital link in the regional power grid during times like the 2008 flood, when other local power plants had to close.
 
In a joint statement, NextEra and Alliant painted the decision as a net positive for consumers, saying they will save $300 million in energy costs, on a net present value basis, over 20 years by switching to less costly power sources.
 
Alliant's cost savings estimate will be carefully analyzed by consultants representing consumer groups. Robert Latham, who's been representing the Resale Power Group, a group of large power users, in Alliant rate cases, said he expects to see some savings for customers when the analysis is complete, but nothing as large as $300 million.
 
Read the full, members-first story in this week's print or digital editions of the CBJ.
Para3CBJ Cybersecurity Breakfast to address threats, insurance
 
The Corridor Business Journal has announced the speaker lineup for its fourth-annual Cybersecurity Breakfast, to be held Sept. 5 at the Coralville Marriott.
 
This event will invite local experts to discuss recent threats, steps organizations can take to mitigate risks, and what to do if your organization experiences a breach. Aaron Warner, founder and CEO of ProCircular, will kick off the event with a presentation on the current cybersecurity threat landscape. Additional speakers and topics include: 
  • Recent Trends in Data Breach Response: Given that no cyber attacks are identical, organizations are finding it more difficult to know what steps need to be taken when an incident occurs. Attorneys Bruce Radke and Martin McElligott, of Polsinelli PC, will discuss current cybersecurity trends and steps to take in response to suspected attacks to lesson your exposure and reputational risk.
  • Exploring Cybersecurity Insurance for Your Company: Companies and organizations cannot patch people and, while people are a company's greatest asset, they can also be their biggest threat. Matt Evans, principal and practice leader of TrueNorth Companies, will cover cybersecurity insurance, proactive training and assessments to to reduce your organization's risks.
  • Steps Your Company Can Take to Reduce its Risk Profile: Because of the risks associated with today's rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, it is imperative that organizations take steps to identify and prioritize key process areas. In this discussion, Tauseef Ghazi, principal of RSM US LLP, will share steps any organization can take to begin to reduce their cybersecurity risk profile.
Tickets are $40 through Aug. 29, and $55 after. Breakfast will be provided. For more information or to register, visit www.corridorbusiness.com/events or contact Ashley Levitt at (319) 665-6397, ext. 311, or [email protected].
Para4NewBoCo marks 100+ teachers trained with latest Code.org cohort
 
The 2018-19 Professional Learning Program cohort. CREDIT NEWBOCO/BEN KAPLAN
Seventy-six educators representing 58 school districts around the state participated in NewBoCo's Code.org professional learning program this summer, pushing the number of Iowa educators trained by the nonprofit to teach computer science to more than 100.
 
"We are proud to be scaling Iowa's Code.org Professional Learning Programs in order to reach our goal of computer science in every Iowa school," NewBoCo K-12 Education Coordinator and Code.org program manager Samantha Dahlby said in a release. "Our teachers are passionate and dedicated to expanding their skills in order to provide students with these important opportunities."
 
The middle and high school teachers participating in this program learned how to use the curriculum and supports available from Code.org, as well as new ways to introduce computer science concepts to a wide variety of students. Following the weeklong training, teachers will meet four more times throughout the academic year for additional professional development.
 
"Companies in Iowa are absolutely feeling the crunch when trying to hire tech talent," NewBoCo COO Aaron Horn said in a release. "We have a more immediate tech education strategy with DeltaV Code School and our Registered Apprenticeships for Software Developers, but we also have a long-term strategy to get more kids exposure to computer science early on, which is why our Code.org Partnership is so important. We want Iowa to be the first state in the nation to have computer science in every school, and we've got a plan to get there."
 
Teachers and school districts wanting to implement computer science can work with Ms. Dahlby by contacting her at [email protected].
Para5DM to host Best of the Midwest Angel Capital conference
 
As Des Moines prepares to host the third Best of the Midwest Angel Capital Association (ACA) Conference in September, the Des Moines Business Record reports that organizers are rallying to make the regional meeting stand out.
 
"These meetings move from place to place every year, so it's likely we won't be seeing this meeting again for 10 to 15 years," said Mike Colwell, executive director of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
 
The conference will be held Sept. 19-20 at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown, and registration is open to both ACA members and nonmembers. Registration for a separate workshop held during that time on the fundamentals of angel investing is also available. Organizers expect to see 150 angel investors or representatives at the conference.
 
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is taking a model established at last year's Omaha event and aiming higher: Instead of inviting five nominated startups to pitch in front of conference attendees, 10 startup leaders from across the Midwest will pitch - potentially earning investment from the conference's main fund, the Best of the Midwest DSM LLC. Funds raised through the Best of the Midwest DSM will be pooled for equal investment in the startups that event judges approve to receive investment.
 
Presenting startups from the Midwest must be nominated by one current investor, Mr. Colwell said. Conference attendees will receive a list of all presenting startups at least one week before the conference, including background and term sheets.  
 
"Over half the total time at this event ... will be spent listening to startups pitch for your investment as an angel investor. A lot of angels, that's what they want; they want to look at more deals," Mr. Colwell said. "You may come and see 10 phenomenal companies ... write a $75,000 check and take a piece of the whole town, or go cut a deal directly to invest in any one of the 10 you saw."
 
The regional ACA Conference is significant in the growth of angel investor groups across the Midwest, Mr. Colwell said.
 
"I think the Midwest group has the largest attendance of any of those regions at the national meeting, and it's because, I think, a lot of people in the Midwest are still seeking the information," he noted. "Those meetings mean a lot."
 
"We don't get as many deals, because we don't have as many people and startups. That's getting better, but it takes time," he added.
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stockCorridor Stocks

NAME
SYM PRICE CHG %CHG
AEGON AEG 6.32 0.01 0.16%
Alliant Energy LNT 42.59 -0.32 -0.75%
Deere & Company DE 146.12 2.19 1.52%
Dow Jones ^DJI 25,628.91 126.73 0.50%
General Mills GIS 46.48 -0.62 -1.32%
GoDaddy Inc. GDDY 76.77 0.65 0.85%
Great Western Bank GWB 42.13 -0.34 -0.80%
Heartland Express HTLD 19.31 0.05 0.26%
KemPharm KMPH 4.60 0.10 2.22%
Marsh & McLennan MMC 83.73 0.24 0.29%
MidWestOne MOFG 32.36 -0.03 -0.09%
Pearson PSO 11.78 0.04 0.34%
Pepsico PEP 114.22 -3.16 -2.69%
Principal Financial PFG 56.37 0.27 0.48%
QCR Holdings QCRH 43.75 -0.15 -0.34%
Rockwell Collins COL 137.69 0.29 0.21%
S&P 500 ^GSPC 2,858.45 8.05 0.28%
Tanger Factory SKT 23.77 -0.40 -1.65%
Procter & Gamble PG 82.64 0.12 0.15%
United Fire Group UFCS 56.13 -0.61 -1.08%
U.S. Bank USB 53.30 0.37 0.70%
Wells Fargo WFC 58.83 -0.06 -0.10%
West Bank WTBA 24.25 -0.05 -0.21%
Whirlpool WHR 132.12 -0.51 -0.38%
Short-Term Event Planner
       
August 8
1 Million Cups, by 1MC, 9-10 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids and MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, startup pitches and free coffee. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
August 9
PMI Chapter Meeting, by PMI Eastern Iowa, 7-9 a.m., Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa, 2301 Oakdale Blvd., Coralville. Learn how project management skills apply to the world of entrepreneurship. $13 for members, $20 for non-members. For more information, visit bit.ly/2NY2D2E.
 
August 10
NewBo Open Coffee , by NewBoCo, 8-9 a.m., Roasters at NewBo, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. This meetup is a minimally guided conversation among community members about anything rooted in creativity and entrepreneurship. All are welcome. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2Hoprdn.
 
Accountability and Performance Management, by Kirkwood Community College, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Kirkwood Center for Lifelong Learning, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Explore your role in managing performance and learn what steps you can take as a leader to have your team deliver the expected results. Cost: $99. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2LKRCBn.
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28 
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
Dozens of hogs were killed after a semi overturned in Fayette County Monday afternoon. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office says 28-year-old Levi Byler was driving on U Avenue about four miles southeast of Waucoma when he became distracted, lost control and went into a ditch. The semi landed on its side. Officials say more than 30 hogs were killed and $20,000 of damage was done to the semi trailer. Mr. Byler was not hurt. He was cited for failure to maintain control.

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival's Balloon Glow will take place Tuesday night after bad weather cancelled the original date in June. The event will take place 6-9:30 p.m. at a different location - the Sinclair Levy. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Admission is free with a Freedom Festival button which can be purchased at local Hy-Vee grocery stores or Casey's General Stores. For more information about the Balloon Glow visit the Freedom Festival's website.
  
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
 
Umbrellas will be needed once again today. A cold front in conjunction with an upper-level disturbance will lead to scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few light rain showers will be possible in the morning, then there will be a mix of sun and clouds and temperatures will climb to near 80. Additional scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon, winding down this evening by 9 p.m. High pressure will build behind the front, and it will be dry and warm for the middle of the week. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80s Wednesday and Thursday. Another cold front will move through Thursday evening and will bring another chance for a few scattered storms. It will be dry and sunny for the end of the week and weekend. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s and a little muggy Friday through Monday.