This article is from the Extension Connection newsletter, Fall 2005.

Iowa State University Extension has been a part of the economic development landscape in southwest Iowa for many years. Now, thanks to that regional collaboration and successful grant writing efforts, southwest Iowa has a strong investment for its future.

Extension and partners recently secured more than $600,000 in state and private funding for economic development projects in southwest Iowa. Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) awarded the grant money to southwest Iowa. Former IDED director Mike Blouin said, “Between state and local contributions, southwest Iowa will benefit from a $600,000 investment over three years. A collaborative approach to economic development marketing and creating a support system to grow start-up companies will create a stronger Iowa economy.”

ISU Extension community development specialists Steve and Lynn Adams applied for the grants on behalf of the regional partners, including the Southwest Iowa Coalition, Grow Iowa Foundation, the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development and Southwestern Community College.

“Southwest Iowa has had strong leadership that has had the vision to work in a regional, collaborative manner for over a decade,” said Steve Adams. “The investment the state has made will increase our ability to serve our area with a crafted strategic marketing plan and increase business starts throughout the region. We appreciate the support from the state to assist in this work.”

One of the targets of this funding will be the founding of the Southwest Iowa Entrepreneurial Center. The Adamses currently are working with the founding organizations to form governance boards and set up administrative rules for the center.

Deb Houghtaling, executive director of the Grow Iowa Foundation, is pleased with the direction southwest Iowa is taking.

“Steve and Lynn are great facilitators,” Houghtaling stated. “They have a lot of program knowledge and connections with the people in southwest Iowa. This is the first time that these organizations have worked so collaboratively.”

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