News

Governor Signs ‘Empower Rural Iowa’ Bill

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds used the backdrop of the Wilton Candy Kitchen to sign legislation that provides state funds for rural housing and broadband. An article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette provides more information. Members of the ‘Empower Rural Iowa’ task force and the Iowa Rural Development Council joined Governor... Read More →

Iowa Rural Summit Agenda

Wed April 10 12:00-5:00          Early Registration                              Hotel Grinnell, First Floor 1:00-4:00            Housing Development in Rural Iowa – “Raising Rooftops,” Drake Public Library, 930 Park Street                              •Getting Ready for New Housing                              •Collaborating to Build Workforce Housing                              •Overcoming Internal Obstacles 1:00-4:00            Downtown Grinnell Historic District walking tours.  Guided... Read More →

Rural Leaders to Focus on Development Next Week

GRINNELL, IOWA – Leaders from more than 75 Iowa rural communities will gather in Grinnell next week to seek solutions to issues confronting them and share ideas and successes. The third Iowa Rural Development Summit will be held in Grinnell April 10-12, bringing together elected officials, business leaders and community... Read More →

Summit to Welcome Governor, Lt Governor

Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt Governor Adam Gregg will be in Grinnell on Thursday, April 11 to attend the Iowa Rural Development Summit and help recognize recipients of the 2019 IEDA Community Catalyst awards.  The governor last year launched the Empower Rural Iowa initiative, asked Lt. Gov Gregg and Iowa... Read More →

Rural Community Revitalization Program Manager Position – IEDA

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is seeking a Rural Community Revitalization (RCR) Program Manager to lead the state’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to make rural Iowa communities attractive places for people to live and work. The RCR Program Manager will be responsible for... Read More →

Governor, IRDC Prepare to Empower Rural Iowa

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds unveiled her Empower Rural Iowa task force at the Iowa State Fair last week.  And, she acknowledged the critical partnership her office will have with the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) in the newly-launched initiative. Empower Rural Iowa has 66 appointed members from across the state,... Read More →

Governor Taps IRDC to Assist “Empower Rural Iowa” Initiative

WINTERSET, Ia. — Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order on Wednesday that sets a rural empowerment effort, with the Iowa Rural Development Council playing a key role.  The Empower Rural Iowa Initiative brings the Governor’s office together with the Rural Development Council to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that... Read More →

Rural Communities Score in CBDG Funding!

July 16, 2018 (Des Moines) – Awards totaling $9.6 million were announced today for 32 communities across the state. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support community investment projects. The federally funded grants were awarded for community facilities, downtown revitalization and single... Read More →