Greater Iowa City, Inc. staff recently joined leaders from across the country at the 2026 Heartland Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas. Policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and community builders came together to address some of the biggest opportunities facing the Heartland.
Several examples stood out. The Alice Walton School of Medicine is rethinking rural health care by training physicians through a whole-person, preventive care model while reducing financial barriers for graduates who commit to rural practice.
Game Aerospace offered another example of a region building from its strengths. Founded by Steuart Walton and based at the Bentonville airport, the company is advancing composite aircraft design and manufacturing. Summit participants experienced one of the first air demonstrations of the GameBird composite aircraft against the gorgeous Arkansas sunset sky. It was a memorable illustration of what can happen when entrepreneurship, specialized talent, investment, and a strong sense of place come together.
The summit also reinforced lessons Greater IC has been exploring through its aerospace and advanced manufacturing work. Huntsville, Alabama, was recognized as a Heartland Forward “Secret Sauce Community,” validating many of the themes our region observed during this fall’s intercity visit: sustained investment in talent, strong university and industry partnerships, advanced manufacturing and aerospace assets, and a culture of collaboration that supports long-term growth.
The summit also highlighted the value of Greater Iowa City, Inc.’s partnership with Heartland Forward and the opportunities created through the Center for Investment Readiness. Across the conversations and sessions, the message was clear: progress happens when leaders come together around shared goals and move from ideas to action. A common thread throughout the event was the value of building from local strengths. Bentonville has leveraged the assets that made it successful and expanded them into a broader ecosystem that includes health care, entrepreneurship, education, aviation, outdoor recreation, and innovation. Communities thrive when they recognize what is uniquely theirs and invest in it intentionally.
That is what Greater Iowa City, Inc does every day with coalitions. We convene leaders from business, nonprofits, education, health care, and the public sector to solve problems, seize opportunities, and build a stronger regional economy. bringing the right people into the room, aligning around shared goals, and getting to work. The Heartland Summit was a powerful reminder that this kind of collaboration can turn a community’s distinctive strengths into lasting results.
