The top elected officials of Iowa were in Perry Wednesday, and their agenda was filled with rural development.

The Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) and Empower Rural Iowa Task Force held a joint meeting at La Poste throughout the day, with Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adem Gregg among those in attendance for the proceedings. The meeting was split into two sections, and members of the Perry community took attendees on a tour of the town in between the two. Gregg participated in the tour and had good things to say about the town and the things happening. He gave a special mention to the Nudgers, which he said is the type of organization that the Empower Rural Iowa Initiative seeks to support.

In the second part of the meeting, the task force and IRDC went over their recommendations for 2020 and how to expand what’s worked. Reynolds was complimentary of the proposals presented and approved, and looks forward to including them in her budget plan. “What they’re doing is really optimizing and building on the recommendations that we made last year, and so I’m excited about that. Streamlining government, that’s always a good thing, (as is) expanding broadband opportunities, and investing in the next generation of leaders in our communities. So (I’m) very proud of the work that they did.”

Reynolds added, though she didn’t get to personally take the tour, she felt the development happening in Perry is an example of how communities can be revitalized when state and local entities work together. “A big shoutout to Perry again for hosting us today, just really positive, positive comments. And I’m just really excited! We want our rural communities strong and vibrant and growing, and hopefully this is helping connect some of those dots.”

The task force’s recommendations were approved by the IRDC Executive Committee, and are now in Reynolds’ hands to enact during the next year.