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Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) announce their 2024 Legislative Priorities. PDI represents nearly 300 economic development professionals dedicated to expanding Iowa’s economy. The organization’s members include both private and public sector partners who provide leadership in defining and promoting statewide economic development initiatives. Priority issues include: 2024 State Legislative Priorities Build the best Economic Development Environment that empowers Iowa, its communities, regions, and our businesses to collaborate and thrive. Accelerate training programs and investments that support Workforce Attraction & Retention . Invest in Iowa’s Infrastructure to leverage our unique assets and position Iowa to compete globally. Develop and reinvest in sustainable programs to fill our housing gaps, support quality affordable Child Care , and deliver resources to quality-of-life investments that support Iowa’s growing workforce. Economic Development Environment Protect tax credits, economic development assistance tools, and programs that deliver a positive ROI to the state. Ensure they are fully funded to align with market opportunities. Pursue innovation in new incentives that align with emerging industries. Defend tax increment financing (TIF) and be a leader in educating partners and stakeholders on the importance of such tools in both rural and urban development. Modernize the tax system to make Iowa more predictable, user-friendly, and competitive while maintaining investments in key growth strategies. Protect local control of Local Option Sales Tax. Leverage port authority, land bank, or other legislation to assist regions and communities in the redevelopment of blighted properties. Support programs that incentivize business and job growth, such as the Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) Program and High-Quality Jobs. Support regional economic development tools that empower local and county governments. Protect local control of Local Option Sales Tax. Workforce Attraction and Retention Recognize the importance of the community college system and last-dollar scholarships in equipping Iowans for high-demand careers. Grow Iowa’s jobs training, retraining, and apprenticeship programs and partner with Iowa’s community colleges and IWD to efficiently deploy throughout the state. Sustain and increase use of 260E and 260F training programs. Fully fund workforce training, retraining, apprenticeship, internship and other upskilling programs. Regain Iowa’s status as an educational leader, break down barriers between local school boards, consider expanding preschool access, and continue funding for community college programs. Grow Iowa’s population by investing in programs such as student loan repayment tax credits, child care, and housing. Simplify legal immigration into Iowa by advocating for federal policy changes that strengthen talent acquisition and retention. Position Iowa as a welcoming state to all individuals to urgently grow Iowa’s population. Investment in Iowa’s Infrastructure Continued investment in Iowa’s water quality and existing infrastructure. Invest in outdoor recreation and natural resources through direct funding and consideration of implementing the ⅜-cent sales tax appropriation to IWILL while maintaining local control of Local Option Sales Tax. Develop sustainable, innovative, and diverse funding mechanisms for Iowa’s transportation infrastructure. Sustain the state’s investment in broadband expansion until 100% of Iowa can connect. Invest in Iowa’s levees and flood mitigation systems. Establish an infrastructure bank to reinvest earnings from state reserves into a low-interest program for community and county infrastructure projects. Housing, Child Care & Quality of Life Support strategies and innovative funding tools that expand housing opportunities, lower costs, and overcome current market barriers. Continue to pursue innovation that addresses a lack of quality affordable child care, addresses the broken child care model, and prevents individuals from entering the workforce. Boldly invest in sustainable quality of place initiatives and continue permanent funding for Destination Iowa. Increase annual Workforce Housing Tax Credit allocation to $50M to support new owner-occupied housing and investments in the state’s aging housing stock. Establish annual allocation in the highly successful Manufacturing 4.0 Grant Program Download PDI legislative priorities. For More Information Contact: Nick Glew, Legislative, Committee Co-Chair - 319-743-4724; Email Nick Nicolas Hockenberry, Committee Co-Chair, 563-557-9049; Email Nicolas Dave Miller, Legislative, Committee Co‐Chair – 712-470‐5110,; Email Dave Lane Till, Executive Director (515) 452-0211, Email Lane Amy Campbell, Lobbyist 515-554‐5838, Email Amy Craig Patterson, Lobbyist 515-554‐7920, Email Craig
Congratulations to Brenda Dudley, Midwest Partnership Economic Development and Theresa Hildreth, Calhoun County Economic Development on receiving the 2023 annual Cindy Litwiller Scholarships!
Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) President & CEO Shannon Landauer, CEcD, has been announced as a recipient of the 2023 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry. The awards program is hosted by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Consulting, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic, and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development leaders and site selection consultants evaluated nominations based on demonstration of strong leadership, commitment and innovation every day in the workplace. “The purpose-driven work of economic development plays a vital role in communities around the world, and much of it is led by young professionals,” said Julie Curtin, president of DCI’s economic development practice. “These 40 rising stars are contributing their creativity, dedication and leadership to make a tremendous impact in their communities and our industry as a whole, and I so look forward to what lies ahead in their careers.” "On behalf of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Board of Directors, I want to say congratulations to Shannon on receiving this prestigious award as a rising star in the economic development industry. Shannon's professionalism, knowledge, expertise and commitment drive the growth and success of the Corridor region and we are all lucky to benefit from her efforts," said Brad Beck, Corridor Board Chair. "Shannon continues to learn, grow, evolve and adapt as the economic development world continues to change, and I am excited about what lies ahead for the entire Corridor region with her continued leadership." Landauer was hired as the Corridor’s President & CEO in July 2021. Prior to joining the Corridor, she was the Executive Director of the Carroll Area Development Corporation and Carroll Chamber of Commerce. Her professional training includes the Heartland Basic Economic Development Course, the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute, IEDC Workforce Development Strategies and she has held a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Designation since 2017. Landauer currently serves as the Past President on the Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) Board of Directors, has served as faculty and now on the board for the Heartland Economic Development Course, and is involved in various other boards and committees including the Iowa DOT’s Advisory Council on Automated Transportation in the Economic Development Sub-Committee, the Empower Rural Iowa Committee and the Iowa Rural Development Commission Board. “The economic development industry continues to evolve, and these rising leaders are stepping up to the challenge,” said Todd Jorgenson, managing director and principal of Jorgenson Consulting, Inc. “Congratulations to these 40 winners – and to the communities that are lucky to benefit from their expertise.” Award winners were announced last night at a reception hosted by DCI and Jorgenson at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2023 Leadership Summit, the only conference held exclusively for Certified Economic Developers and senior managers in the profession. For more information on the 40 Under 40 awards program and this year’s winners, visit econdev40under40.com.
