Local Economic Development Highlighted During Leadership Iowa Session in Council Bluffs
March 1, 2022 | Download PDF
Forty leaders from across the state will visit Council Bluffs on March 3-4 to take part in Iowa’s premier issues awareness program, Leadership Iowa, currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary. During the intensive two-day session, they will explore workforce challenges in our state, as well as economic development, highlighting ongoing projects happening in the Council bluffs region.
The session will begin Thursday at the Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment (PACE) Center with breakfast and a welcome from Mayor Matt Walsh. Drew Conrad with the University of Northern Iowa’s Institute for Decision Making will provide a closer look at economic development strategies. The group will have the opportunity to explore local locations such as PACE, the Iowa West Fieldhouse, 500 Block development, and more while learning about its community impact. Council Bluffs community and business leaders will also join the Leadership Iowa class and ABI members for a Connecting Statewide Leaders event. The event will feature an engaging panel conversation moderated by Drew Kamp, President and CEO of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, leaders from MidAmerican Energy, Iowa Rural Development Council and Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Friday’s session will begin at the River’s Edge Pavilion in Council Bluffs where the group will explore and learn about the Riverfront revitalization projects. Trivium Life Services will host the remainder of the day for a discussion on equity in the workplace, and conclude with an overview of Iowa’s workforce initiatives from Ryan West, Deputy Director of Iowa Workforce Development.
Interviews and a full agenda are available upon request. Email Jessi McQuerrey (jmcquerrey@iowaabi.org) for more information.
Nominations are now open for the Leadership Iowa 22-23 class and will be accepted through April 1. Sessions are scheduled October 2022 through June 2023. Leaders must first be nominated in order to be invited to apply to the program. Nominations and self-nominations can be made online at www.LeadershipIowa.com. Questions can be sent via email info@leadershipiowa.com, or call 515.235.0570.
For a full list of ABI 2022 events, visit: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/