Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the creation of the Empowering Rural Iowa Initiative in Winterset, Iowa.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the creation of the Empowering Rural Iowa Initiative in Winterset.

(Winterset, IA) On Wednesday morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order No. 3 that creates the “Empower Rural Iowa Initiative.” Ā The initiative establishes a partnership with the Iowa Rural Development Council to identify needed legislative, regulatory and policy changes. She named Lt. Governor Adam Gregg andĀ Sandy Ehrig of the Iowa Rural Development Council as the initiative’s co-chairs.

ā€œIā€™m a product of rural Iowa, and Iā€™m driven to create opportunity throughout this state,ā€ Reynolds said. ā€œI believe the heart, soul and spirit of Iowa will always remain in our small towns and rural communities. Thatā€™s why Iā€™m creating the Governorā€™s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. I want concrete solutions for the unique challenges of rural Iowa in order to maintain its vibrancy and ensure there is opportunity everywhere.ā€

Recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and policy changes will be provided by an executive committee and three task forces: the Investing in Rural Iowa Task Force; the Growing Rural Iowa Task Force; and the Connecting Rural Iowa Task Force.

TheĀ Investing in Rural Iowa Task ForceĀ will focus its recommendations on improving access to quality housing in rural Iowa. TheĀ Growing Rural Iowa Task ForceĀ will focus on identifying ways to encourage leadership development and strategic development in rural communities. TheĀ Connecting Rural Iowa Task ForceĀ will look into effectively and sustainably financing connectivity.

ā€œThis is just the starting point for initial recommendations,ā€ Gregg said. ā€œThe work of the Governorā€™s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative will be ongoing, and the task forces will work on other issues within their scope in the years to come.ā€

The task forces will begin meeting this fall. Initial recommendations will be due by the end of the year so they can be considered during the 2019 legislative session.

Iowans interested in being a part of a task force should click here to apply by August 1.

Read the executive order below:

You May Also Like

Sarah Sanders to Attend Kim Reynolds’ Harvest Festival

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders will speak at Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 13th in Des Moines.

Sioux County Democrats Hosts Planned Parenthood

Thursday night Sioux County Democrats hosted a conversation with three representatives from Planned Parenthood of Iowa Voters PAC.

Gov. Terry Branstad’s Father, Edward Branstad, Passes Away at 89

Edward Branstad, father of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, passed away this morning in Mason City at the age of 89 after a long battle with cancer.

Iowa Right to Life Legislative Wrap-up

By Eric Goranson & Norm Pawlewski The Iowa House Republicans were unable…