A few local individuals have been appointed to serve on a new state task force for rural projects.

Last month, Governor Kim Reynolds signed an Executive Order creating the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. It establishes a partnership with the Iowa Rural Development Council to identify needed legislative, regulatory and policy changes. Last week, Reynolds appointed several individuals to serve on three task forces including: Investing in Rural Iowa, Growing Rural Iowa, and Connecting Rural Iowa.

Serving on the Investing in Rural Iowa Task Force is Nick Sorensen of Jefferson, Jude Conway of Adel and Bret Wedemeyer of Casey. They join 19 others from across the state. The purpose of this task force is to make recommendations on improving access to quality housing in the rural areas of the state.

Serving on the Growing Rural Iowa Task Force is Mike Taylor of Adel. The group is focused on identifying ways to encourage leadership development and strategic development in rural communities.

Finally, State Senator Jake Chapman will serve as an Ex-Officio and Deb Lucht of Minburn will be on the Connecting Rural Iowa Task Force. They will look into effectively and sustainably financing connectivity in the rural parts of Iowa.

The public can get involved as well. They can submit ideas to the respective groups ahead of the Ideas Summit next month for the different Task Force members to consider. To submit ideas, click the link below.

https://governor.iowa.gov/my-idea-for-empowering-rural-iowa