Governor promotes ‘healthy business climate’ for Iowa

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was in Mills County last Wednesday to launch a statewide tour to promote economic development.

Reynolds spent an hour at AgriVision Equipment Group near Pacific Junction meeting with local economic development leaders and elected officials. AgriVision anchors the south side of the newly-named Eagle Crossing Business Park near the Interstate 29-U.S. Highway 34 interchange.

“I just want to commend you on all the great work you’re doing down here,” Reynolds said, referencing the development taking place near the interchange. “Since I’ve been a county treasurer and began getting involved in politics, I’ve always said if Iowa is truly going to be successful, we’re going to have to see growth in every single corner of the state. It just can’t happen in pockets.”

Accompanied by new Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Reynolds said creating a “competitive business climate” is a priority for her administration. She said Iowa can maintain a healthy business climate by having competitive tax rates and being on the cutting edge of technology.

Reynolds stressed the importance of bringing new investors to the state and helping existing businesses prosper.

“We need to be competitive for existing businesses so they can grow and expand and attract new businesses,” she said.

The governor said one of the biggest barriers for business growth in Iowa is a shortage of skilled workers.

“Workforce, workforce, workforce – I hear it every day,” Reynolds said. “There’s an immediate need. We’re focusing on under-skilled workers - putting a support system in place for them and helping them get a skill that can provide them with a career and meets the needs of business and industry.”

In the coming months, Reynolds said the state will kick off the Future Ready Iowa initiative, with a goal of having 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce having educational training beyond high school by the year 2025.

Reynolds stressed the importance of partnerships between the state and local communities in enhancing economic development and creating attractive job opportunities.

“It’s all about partnerships,” she said. “Nothing happens without local and community leaders and the state working together. We appreciate the partnerships and collaberation that we have down here. We look to continue to build on that.”

AgriVision spokesman Mark Ford said the company was honored to have Reynolds visit the business and kick off her state-wide tour in southwest Iowa. Ford echoed Reynolds’ thoughts on the importance of workforce development and stressed the need to keep young Iowans in the state after they’ve completed formal schooling or training.

“It’s developing a workforce, but it’s also keeping those kids here,” Ford said. “We’re recruiting Iowa kids back into Iowa and into our surrounding states.”

Ford noted that the Mills County location is the home base for 10 AgriVision locations.

“We’re pretty excited about who we are and what we are,” Ford said.  “It’s innovation and it’s technology.”

The governor and lieutenant governor were given a tour of the business before continuing a tour through southwest Iowa with stops in Clarinda and Shenandoah.

Richard Crouch, a member of the Mills County Board of Supervisors, said it was an honor to have Reynolds visit the county.

“We’re pleased to have her and Lt. Gov. Gregg here because of the growth that’s going on in Mills County,” Crouch said. “Hopefully, as this area grows, we will have something to show to the state showing that Mills County and southwest Iowa are prospering with the help of the state.”