Community and Economic Development
Pathways to financial success for urban and rural Iowa-
SESSION 1
Economic Efforts and Growth
Local businesses and other attractions are vital to maintaining a healthy economic ecosystem. When state and federal funding is scarce, how can local sources help development projects come to life? Can communities balance the maintenance of current projects with a desire to grow? How can local assets support the effort?
October 02, 2025 at 9:35AM
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SESSION 2
Arrive and Thrive: Recruiting workers to Iowa
At state, regional, and city levels, who is helping employers recruit people to Iowa? Once newcomers have arrived, what are communities doing to keep them? This session will reflect on the wins and challenges of past campaigns and hear from those leading Iowa efforts in out-of-market recruiting.
October 02, 2025 at 10:40AM
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SESSION 3
Creating Housing
Ask most Iowans what their community needs and they'll say affordable housing. But what form should that housing take? And who should fund it? If we agree on the need, how can communities work together to find a solution to one of Iowans' most basic needs?
October 02, 2025 at 11:45AM
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SESSION 4
Building vibrant resident retention programs
Resident retention and citizen engagement are a key part of ensuring a community’s long-term success, but how can a city best convince its residents to stick around? For some Iowa communities, the answer is to start early through the creation of newcomer services programs. In other places, faith-based communities fulfill a key role. Retention programs — which aim to provide support and foster belonging — encourage newcomers to stay and contribute to the long-term success of their new home.
October 02, 2025 at 1:55PM
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SESSION 5
How to foster community engagement
Between volunteering, joining a board or commission and/or attending public meetings, there are myriad opportunities for Iowans to get involved in their community. But with so many options and only so much time, how can people prioritize their involvement for the best results? This panel takes a look at how Iowa cities and nonprofits are working to help people identify ways to effectively and enjoyably use their voice and efforts to support their community.
October 02, 2025 at 3:00PM
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SESSION 6
Aging in Place: What are communities doing to help?
The U.S. population is older today than it has ever been, and that demographic shift is only expected to continue thanks to ongoing medical advancements and overall quality of life improvements both in the Midwest and nationwide. As the general population — and workforce — get older and live longer, how are Iowa communities adjusting to help older residents continue to embrace and engage with their communities?
October 03, 2025 at 9:40AM
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SESSION 7
Community Impact & Support Networks
At both the personal and organizational level, support networks are essential to helping Iowans succeed. But how are these support networks created, and how are they working to connect with community members in times of need? This panel takes a look at some of the Iowa organizations that have stepped up to connect their communities, despite or even because of ongoing societal challenges.
October 03, 2025 at 11:50AM
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