Latest Newsletters
Rural Business Initiative Grant Now Open
The Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) Rural Business Initiative provides guidance and grant funding to help rural Iowa communities strengthen small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. Funding for the Rural Business Initiative is provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation. Selected communities will receive at least $30,000 to support eligible project activities.... Read More →
IRDC Sept Zoominar on Rural K-12 Available
More than 80 IRDC members and friends joined the September Zoominar on the status of rural K-12 education in Iowa. The session featured Margaret Buckton of Rural School Advocates of Iowa, Gladbrook Reinbeck Superintendent Caleb Bonjour and Red Oak Superintendent Ron Lorenz. From enrollment to funding to state mandates, the... Read More →
Aug Zoominar on Rural Assets Available to View
IRDC’s August Zoominar with Amanda Weinstein of the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is available to view and her slide deck can be found at Rural Public Capital Webinar (1). The Zoom recording is: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Qb3cvU9vXlCjCvyWfkTUxZdIa-7J2Wd7DBbo80ahkYJLaBEgThqUPZRfyLkWhYMs.iuFdmsDv8LfF579T Passcode: ?y=1AQJ7 The presentation focused on the recent report for CORI that Amanda led. This... Read More →
Renewable Energy Siting Zoominar Availalble
A presentation on the opportunities related to renewable energy development in rural Iowa was featured in June’s IRDC Zoominar Friday the 26th. David Vollmar of Invenergy, Tod Bowman of the Center for Rural Affairs and Luke Seaberg of ISU Extension were the presenters. Shareable link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Ip2Ts7SEQK_LOHomhfmMCS6WQnhqQMFzZLCthBMINQ9xL6Vw3lPkILRvmnjQ11L-.HnFX5JMXAT1dUmWr Passcode: kM*Y?22* See the... Read More →
IRDC Zoominar with IA Cancer Consortium Available
The May 29th edition of IRDC’s Zoominar featured Rachel Schramm and Megan Hartwig of the Iowa Cancer Consortium. They provided a deep dive into Iowa’s high cancer rates, resources available for those seeking more information, and strategies to reduce cancer risk in rural places. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/vgSKV9OXIdfpkAbv8uBxijUhoAgCUBuyCKIaLmma-udWB7FjJgFB0k8mKaDZeHso.9Q2RsAP-jLKxFrLN Passcode: ^ejQQwS1 The slide deck... Read More →
Zoominar on Homelessness Services Available
The April 24th IRDC Zoominar with Kelsey Culver of the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care is available by clicking HERE and using, if asked, the Passcode: KW=87zrK Kelsey’s slide deck is HERE. During her discussion of resources aimed at individuals Kelsey referred to a YouTube video which is... Read More →
Iowa DOT RISE Program Zoominar Available
The IRDC’s March 2026 Zoominar featured Jennifer Kolacia of the Iowa Department of Transportation talking about the Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) grant program. See the recording here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/pV_k1aDQgjXQBhR4ymYUUH0civk9b51yoB134zWEKln4XkTDOCKx26H5EHlPRFRw.Wn2VHlCjSatVeRgt Passcode: VQSW9hR= View in Zoom And see the slide deck at 260320 RISE Overview!
UNI Family Business Center Zoominar Available
The Iowa Rural Development Council’s monthly “Zoominar” featured insights from the University of Northern Iowa’s Family Business Center on February 27th. FBC Director Dan Beenken and Program Associate Kristen Toppin shared their work with family-owned businesses and provided insights to attendees on encouraging the sustainability of those operations. Greater Dubuque... Read More →
IEDA City Development Board Zoominar Recording Available
Some 80 attendees heard Iowa Economic Development Authority City Development Board Manager Jessica Drake talk about the board’s work, rules and regulations regarding annexations and insights into boundary change processes. IEDA has recently updated information and resources available to cities regarding boundary changes – annexations, severances, discontinuances, and incorporations and... Read More →
November IRDC Zoominar with AARP Iowa Recording/Materials Available!
The November episode of the IRDC Zoominar featuring Michael Wagler and Robert Lyons of AARP Iowa is available. The intersection of rural livability and age-friendly communities has huge implications for small towns across the state. And they have grant dollars to help empower that work!! See the recording: Click HERE. ... Read More →
