(Winterset, IA) On Wednesday morning, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order No. 3 that creates the āEmpower 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 and Sandy Ehrig of the Iowa Rural Development Council as the initiativeās co-chairs.
āIām a product of rural Iowa, and Iām driven to create opportunity throughout this state,ā Reynolds said. āI believe the heart, soul and spirit of Iowa will always remain in our small towns and rural communities. Thatās why Iām creating the Governorās 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.
The Investing in Rural Iowa Task Force will focus its recommendations on improving access to quality housing in rural Iowa. The Growing Rural Iowa Task Force will focus on identifying ways to encourage leadership development and strategic development in rural communities. The Connecting Rural Iowa Task Force will look into effectively and sustainably financing connectivity.
āThis is just the starting point for initial recommendations,ā Gregg said. āThe work of the Governorās 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: