Governor Kim Reynolds.
“Idea summits” will be held in September as three new “Empower Rural Iowa” task forces examine ways to elevate rural leaders, boost broadband access and make more housing available in rural Iowa. Nearly 180 Iowans applied to participate and about half were appointed by the governor.
“With the governor’s appointments today, our work can begin in earnest,” acting Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg said during a news conference at the State Fair. “…There are ways for the public to get involved, even if they’re not on the task forces.”
Iowans may submit ideas online or testify at one of the three “summits.” The first is scheduled for September 6 in Holstein and will focus on connecting more Iowans to broadband service The second will be held September 7 in Mount Pleasant and explore ways to spark strategic planning and development of new leaders in rural Iowa. The third will be held in Earlham on September 14 and focus on getting more investment into rural Iowa, particularly in housing.
Sandy Ehrig, chair of the Iowa Rural Development Council, is a co-chair of the initiative. She said task force members will be asked to come to the summits with at least one written idea on how to address the topic.
“We need everybody,” Ehrig said. “It takes all of us.”
Empower Rural Iowa Executive Council
Christopher Ball, Bloomfield
David Barker, Iowa City
Sue Cosner, West Des Moines
Dave Duncan, Clive
Steve Gilbert, Leon
Hollee McCormick, Harpers Ferry
Emily Schmitt, Clear Lake
Jenae Stokesbary, Pella
Jim Thompson, Ankeny
Investing in Rural Iowa Task Force – Ex-Officios
Sec. of Ag., Mike Naig
Sen. Mark Lofgren
Sen. Tod Bowman
Rep. David Kerr
Rep. Wes Breckenridge
Investing in Rural Iowa Task Force
David Barker, Iowa City
Joanie Bond, Earlham
Hunter Callanan, Clear Lake
Jude Conway, Adel
Sue Cosner, West Des Moines
Shannon Erb, Leon
Steve Gilbert, Leon
Lisa Houser, Monroe
Kiana Johnson, Primghar
Bob Josten, Clive
Stephanie Larscheid, Livermore
Vickie Larson, Mount Pleasant
Nathan Katzer, Cumming
Joshua Merchant, Storm Lake
Chuck Morris, Clarinda
Seth Moulton, Ankeny
Wayne Pantini, Creston
Mark Reinig, Elkader
Terri Rosonke, Prairie City
Nick Sorensen, Jefferson
Sarah Thompson, Radcliffe
Bret Wedemeyer, Casey
Growing Rural Iowa Task Force – Ex-Officios
Sec. of Ag., Mike Naig
Sen. Annette Sweeney
Sen. Amanda Ragan
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann
Rep. Amy Nielsen
Growing Rural Iowa Task Force
Kathy Anderson, Johnston
Whitney Baethke, Montezuma
Stacy Besch, Algona
Jennifer Crall, Ankeny
Rob Denson, Ankeny
Effie Hill, Fort Dodge
James Hoelscher, Cedar Falls
Philip Jones, Waverly
Caleb Knutson, Hubbard
Christian Lutz, Independence
Ashley Moyer, Birmingham
Jason Neises, Dubuque
Ron Reischl, Manning
Emily Schmitt, Clear Lake
Gerry Schnepf, Johnston
Jenae Stokesbary, Pella
Sharon Stroh, Ottumwa
Mike Taylor, Adel
Jim Thompson, Ankeny
Justin Wagner, Harlan
Bethany Wilcoxon, Des Moines
Rick Young, Jewell
Connecting Rural Iowa Task Force – Ex-Officios
Sec. of Ag., Mike Naig
Sen. Jake Chapman
Sen. Kevin Kinney
Rep. Jane Bloomingdale
Rep. Phil Miller
Connecting Rural Iowa Task Force
Bill Anderson, Pierson
Barb Baker, Grinnell
Christopher Ball, Bloomfield
Ryan Boone, Sioux Center
Sandee Buysse, Riverside
Josh Byrnes, Osage
Kevin Cabbage, Stanton
Dave Duncan, Clive
Stacie Euken, Wiota
Dennis Fraise, Burlington
Caleb Housh, Seymour
Billi Hunt, Urbandale
Linc Kroeger, Des Moines
Katherine LaBree, Aplington
Danna Larson, Odebolt
Deb Lucht, Minburn
Patricia Manuel, Olin
Hollee McCormick, Harpers Ferry
Grant Menke, Ankeny
Tom Petersen, Cedar Rapids
Steve Simons, Larchwood
Stacey Stewart, Cedar Rapids