Branstad Talks Economic Development During Mills County Visit

PACIFIC JUNCTION - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad last visited Mills County just over 11 months ago. The event that day was the ribbon cutting for the Highway 34 Bridge connecting U.S. Interstate 29 in Mills County and to Sarpy County and Highway 75 in Nebraska.

Last Tuesday, Branstad was back in Pacific Junction for a stop at the Loess Hills Harley Davidson with some words on economic development and the power of infrastructure improvements on rural businesses.

“New bridges and roads, they are a spur for economic development,” Branstad said. “You can see that with all the businesses popping up. First there was the river, then the railroad and now it’s the interstates.”

After a tour of the dealership with General Manage Deb Metcalfe, Branstad addressed the crowd of more than 40 on hand about the Connect Every Acre Internet initiative, tax reductions and rebates to attract new businesses and a recently passed 10 percent commercial property tax he hopes will spur business and job growth in Iowa.

The Connect Every Acre initiative targets easier broadband access to more than 90,000 homes and businesses in Iowa.

“Just like years ago, when electricity came, broadband has become critically important,” Branstad said. “These grants and tax incentives will allow us to roll out broadband nearly state wide.”
Branstad also found out something new of his Mills County visit: Iowa in No. 1 nationally in per capital motorcycle owners.

“I think that’s something to be pretty proud of,” the governor said. “Its pretty obvious why with all the beautiful motorcycles I see for sale here.”

The Mills County visit was one of nearly a dozen the governor made in southwest Iowa last week.