Latest news with #IEDA
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$500K grant awarded to northwest Iowa trail project
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded a $500,000 grant to a trail project in Dickinson County. Officials said on Friday that the funds came from the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program. The money will go towards the Clay County Connection Project, which includes building a 3.5-mile addition to the Spine Trail. 2 finalists named for chief administrator role at Northwest AEA Once the project is done, the 32-mile trail corridor will connect three counties in two states and 8 municipalities. The estimated cost of the project is just more than $2.5 million. IEDA said the connection project is set to be a part of the Iowa Great Lakes Connection, a trail system for people to access multiple lakes and recreational opportunities in Northwest Iowa. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grants drive growth in rural Iowa
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced $40,000 in grants to drive growth in the rural Iowa towns of Imogene and Sibley, as well as Calhoun and Jackson counties, according to a news release. The funding comes from the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa Initiative's Building Ownership & Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program. 'For struggling rural areas, this support can be transformative — helping local leaders to bring their vision to life, create and fill jobs and fuel economic progress where it's needed most,' said Debi Durham, director of the IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority. 'These grants encourage innovative ideas that enable small Iowa towns to stay vibrant and competitive.' The Rural BOOST program connects community and business leaders with expert guidance to develop actionable growth plans. Grant funding supports the implementation of those plans. Projects must serve communities with 20,000 or fewer residents and not be adjacent to a city of more than 40,000. Countywide projects must be located in one of the state's 88 least-populous counties. Each of the following awarded projects will receive $10,000: Calhoun County — Calhoun County Economic Development will develop a marketing strategy to attract businesses, manufacturers or service providers to locate in the Calhoun County Business Park, particularly on a 13.2-acre shovel-ready site, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Iowa Highway 4. Imogene (Fremont County) — With a population of 39, the city wants to invest in professional design and engineering services to prioritize community needs — such as street repairs, a campground expansion, a bridge replacement and downtown building renovations — in an effort to curb population decline. Jackson County — The Jackson County Economic Alliance (JCEA) reports that 72% of the county's workforce is older than 55, and most are expected to retire within 15 years. To prepare, JCEA plans to survey the workforce needs of local businesses and industries and assist with creating succession plans for a smooth transition. Sibley (Osceola County) — Sibley Housing and Development Corp. is eyeing a new residential development to address a significant housing shortage, which is hindering the city's economic growth. The grant will pay for a site plan proposal and public awareness campaign. IEDA received six applications for this round of BOOST grants, which opened in January. Applicants, who are required to provide a financial match, were scored based on criteria that included economic need, partnerships, readiness and strategic goals. Rural BOOST is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the IEDA, in consultation with the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Force. For more information on the Empower Rural Iowa program, contact Robin Bostrom at 515-348-6176 or rural@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill shuts Iowa's largest counties out of economic development funds for 3 years
Reps. John Wills, left, Derek Wulf and Elizabeth Wilson considered legislation March 19, 2025 that would impose a three-year moratorium on Iowa Economic Development Authority programs and funding for Iowa's four most populous counties. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa's four most populous counties would not be able to access state economic development programs and their funds for three years under a bill advanced Wednesday by an Iowa House subcommittee. The legislation, House Study Bill 310, would impose a three-year moratorium, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, on all programs administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and funding available through these programs for the four counties in the state with the highest population. The four counties impacted would be Polk County with a population of more than 505,000, Linn County with a population of nearly 229,000, Scott County with 174,000 and Johnson County at 157,000, according to U.S. Census data from 2023. The IEDA oversees a number of programs throughout the state focused on economic and community development. Some programs work with businesses directly, while others work with local governments on community projects including infrastructure and disaster recovery efforts. Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said the measure was necessary because efforts by the Iowa Legislature to revitalize rural Iowa have not worked. 'It has not worked, folks, and what we need to do is have transformational change,' Wulf said. 'Is this the perfect answer? I don't know. We'll continue to have that discussion, but something has to happen.' At the subcommittee meeting, advocates for business groups and local governments were largely against the measure. Dustin Miller with the Iowa Chamber Alliance said he understood the intent of the bill was to aid rural communities, but the measure would harm areas of the state that are often 'drivers' in the state's economy that will benefit surrounding counties. He said the four counties targeted by this legislation have a gross domestic product of $85 billion, representing 42% of the state's total real GDP of $200 billion. Those counties also make up large proportions of the state's collected taxes — 36% of the general fund revenue raised for personal income tax in 2022 and 43% of the sales tax. Miller also pointed to IEDA data showing a majority of awards were given to communities with populations between 5,000 and 30,000 — a total of 156 awards. 'Happy to talk about what is the best way to try and incentivize differing development, but at the same time, just want to be cognizant of the fact of, 'don't kill the golden goose,'' Miller said. IEDA data shared by Wulf showed that in fiscal year 2024, 21.7% of award funding went to Polk, Linn, Johnson and Scott counties. Polk received an award total of $17,323,827; Linn, $17,937,281; Scott, $792,193, and Johnson $5,312,133. Linn and Polk counties were among the top 10 counties receiving IEDA assistance in FY2024, with only Boone County at $20,930,981 above them. Wulf told reporters after the meeting that this funding could be better utilized in smaller communities. He said IEDA funding of up to $10 million going toward projects in Des Moines often only represents a portion of the total funding needed to complete the project. 'I'll tell you what, you send $5 million to Iowa rural communities, and it can mean the matter of whether the town survives or not,' he said. Doug Struyk, representing the City of Des Moines, said this moratorium could take Iowa out of the running for many projects and businesses to consider coming to Iowa. In cases of new construction or large businesses, he said, many projects in cities like Des Moines are pulling workers from the surrounding areas. 'We have one benefit, which is we have a population of workers — a lot of projects need bodies to be able to fill the slots,' Struyk said. 'We believe, removing the largest four counties from the ability to receive these incentive funds removes the ability for many projects to even consider Iowa. When they're considering Iowa — they're not just considering Des Moines, they'd be considering many other areas in the state. So we believe … the intent is short-sighted and not in the best economic interest for the state.' Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, D-Marion, said she supported advocates' points that economic development investments should be considered using a regional lens instead of being based on county populations. 'I think this idea of regionalism is actually … I think it's a really good idea, and I think it has a lot of merit,' Wilson said. 'And for that reason, the way that it stands, I would have to be a no.' Wulf said figures on the economic impact of these four counties 'make the exact case for this bill,' saying that more attention and investment needs to go to rural areas. 'More importantly, as we went around the room, you know who's missing from this room?' Wulf said. 'Our rural representatives, our people with dirty pants, boots on the ground that aren't here, stating their case for why the money needs to be going to those areas for revitalization and growing their particular main street businesses. … So for them today, I will be their voice, and we'll be moving this legislation forward.' The legislation next goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Visit Quad Cities earns People's Choice Award at tourism conference
Visit Quad Cities was honored with the People's Choice Award at the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona on Thursday, according to a news release. Presented by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Travel Iowa, this award recognizes Visit Quad Cities' efforts to advance accessible tourism through its partnerships with Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs. Earlier in the conference, Visit Quad Cities received the newly created 'You Rock Geode Award' for the same initiatives, which helped position the organization as a contender for the People's Choice Award. 'We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive this honor,' said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. 'We are grateful to IEDA and Travel Iowa for this recognition and deeply appreciative of our industry colleagues across Iowa for their support. This award reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the Quad Cities is a welcoming and inclusive destination for all. Accessible tourism is a long-term commitment, and we will continue to lead and serve our regional destination with purpose and impact.' The People's Choice Award is one of the conference's most prestigious honors, as it reflects direct recognition from tourism industry professionals. Visit Quad Cities was one of eight nominees, with over 300 tourism leaders attending the conference and voting to select this year's winner. Advancing Accessible Tourism: Wheel the World and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Visit Quad Cities has partnered with Wheel the World, a global travel solution for people with disabilities. This initiative enables users to book hotels and tours that match their accessibility needs. In 2024, Visit Quad Cities initiated outreach to local attractions and points of interest to be site-mapped for accessibility. Participating businesses underwent a voluntary three-step process: assessment, training, and promotion. The John Deere Pavilion, The Half Nelson, the Current Iowa hotel and Riverboat Twilight are just a few points of interest on the Quad Cities' Wheel the World page. Over time, Visit Quad Cities and Wheel the World will identify new and potential partners to scale this program. Intentionality around accessible tourism was identified as a gap and opportunity in Visit Quad Cities' Tourism Master Plan under Destination Stewardship. A seal ceremony is forthcoming to recognize Visit Quad Cities and its participating points of interest, further cementing the Quad Cities as a verified accessible destination through Wheel the World. In October 2024, Visit Quad Cities announced its partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. This global initiative provides a discreet way for individuals with non-visible disabilities to signal that they may need extra understanding, patience, or support while navigating public spaces. As part of this effort, Visit Quad Cities staff has been trained through the Sunflower Program to better assist individuals with hidden disabilities. Notably, Visit Quad Cities' Union Station Destination Center in Davenport is the first Sunflower-friendly location in the State of Iowa. Both Union Station and River Station Destination Center in Moline display the Sunflower decal at their entrances, signaling that these locations welcome and accommodate all visitors. The People's Choice Award recognition underscores Visit Quad Cities' dedication to making the region more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that all travelers, regardless of ability, can fully experience and enjoy everything the Quad Cities has to offer. 'We were honored to be among some incredible nominees – congratulations to all of them for the outstanding work they're doing across Iowa,' added Herrell. 'This award belongs to our visitors, residents, and partners who support our mission every day. We will continue to push forward with initiatives that drive accessibility and enhance the visitor experience.' About Visit Quad CitiesVisit Quad Cities, established in 1990, is the region's official destination marketing organization (DMO). Through tourism, Visit Quad Cities generates economic growth, fosters the visitor economy, and elevates the regional destination's global presence. An accredited DMO through Destinations International's DMAP program, Visit Quad Cities promotes the regional brand, drives economic opportunities, invigorates visitor experience, and enhances quality of life and place for all Quad Citizens. For information, visit here. About the Iowa Tourism OfficeThe Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state's beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $7.3 billion in expenditures in 2023, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 70,954 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
