On September 3, the Economic Development Innovation Council (EDIC) welcomed Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, to the CIVCO facility in Coralville for a forward-looking conversation about Iowa’s economic development landscape. The discussion highlighted how state-level tools intersect with local opportunities in Johnson County and what steps we can take to strengthen our competitive position. Director Durham took questions and had an open discussion with members from the EDIC, made up of investors and economic development partners of Greater Iowa City, Inc.
Development Incentives: Ready Projects Will Win
Director Durham shared that Iowa is working to update guidelines for development incentives offered by the State to better align with developers and community needs. A key takeaway: projects will need to move quickly. If ground isn’t broken within about a year, unused funds may be reclaimed and redirected to others who are ready to go. This creates a clear incentive for communities and developers in Johnson County to ensure projects are well-prepared before applying. For Johnson County, Durham underscored several practical steps to strengthen our competitiveness:
- Zoning: Ensure zoning processes are aligned and streamlined.
- Financing: Have project financing in order before applying to state-level incentives.
- Letters of Support: Secure clear commitments from the cities where development will occur.
She also noted the importance of post-application follow-up: when developers don’t “win” a project, they should reach out to better understand why their project didn’t score high enough, and how to improve for the next time. IEDA and IFA staff are always willing to meet and provide feedback.
Policy Impacts & Market Dynamics: Building on Strong Programs
Durham emphasized that Iowa has strong programs in place to support growth, but these are long-term strategies that take time to bear fruit. She acknowledged that the insurance market remains a challenge, with the Insurance Commissioner working closely with carriers to improve stability.
Durham also highlighted Iowa’s unique position in the aviation and aerospace industry, pointing to assets like the Eastern Iowa Airport Superpark and certified sites that other states simply don’t have. She noted that this sector holds exponential growth potential for Johnson County and beyond.
Future-Focused & Visionary Thinking: Research, Storytelling, and Culture
Looking ahead, Durham emphasized that the Research Park in our region needs to be more clearly defined, developed, and leveraged as an asset that could anchor innovation and strengthen ties between businesses, higher education, and workforce pipelines. Specifically mentioned were childcare and housing as key opportunities to improve the Research Park amenities and supports.
She also encouraged us to lean into Iowan’s cultural strengths, particularly in storytelling and writing, anchored by the University of Iowa’s world-renowned Writers’ Workshop. Preserving cultural landmarks reinforces the state’s identity and adds to its economic narrative.
Looking Ahead: Johnson County’s Role
The takeaways from this conversation make one thing clear: being prepared, responsive, and strategic is key to success. For Johnson County, that means ensuring projects are shovel-ready, aligning zoning and financing, supporting developers with city-level commitments, and staying engaged, even when outcomes aren’t in our favor.
By combining these fundamentals with our strengths in quality of life, innovation, aviation, technology, health, and culture, Johnson County is well-positioned to not only benefit from statewide opportunities but also to help shape Iowa’s future growth.
