Envision East Central Iowa

The pandemic has amplified the skills gap and workforce shortage, and is accelerating the transformation of workplaces. The Envision East Central Iowa project has identified these as key issues for the future, and there are no obvious or easy solutions. The evolution of workplaces and workforce could offer new opportunities for the region, as more hybrid and remote work options reshape the future. However, these trends could also offer a challenge, as people are less connected to a geographic place for work. 

How can the East Central Iowa region take advantage of transformation in the workforce and workplaces to make the region more attractive to future workers?

Lack of demographic and ethnic diversity was identified by Envision East Central Iowa survey respondents as one of the most significant threats and challenges to the future of the regional economy. During the planning work, people have expressed a desire to attract new people, and to create a more inclusive regional community that values equity and diversity. This approach is seen as way to add relevance and bring new vitality and thinking to the region. 

How do you think the region should tackle building more inclusive values and greater diversity?

Shortages of suitable affordable housing are endemic across the country. This is often directly associated with the types of housing, which in many areas is predominately single-family homes. In addition, emerging generations are looking for environmentally sensitive housing that is more energy efficient and sustainable. This offers an opportunity for new types of housing and residential redevelopment initiatives. 

How could East Central Iowa creatively trigger new approaches to offer a greater range of housing types and affordability across the region?

The Midwest and in particular, Iowa, has one of the highest levels of biomass production in the world. The East Central Iowa region is a food production powerhouse. This is a major underpinning economic driver that includes food production, processing and value adding. It also supports a manufacturing sector that is connected to the food processing sector. In the future, it is likely more products will be made from plant materials, spanning across sectors such as energy, construction, packaging, and food proteins. 

How can East Central Iowa best leverage its unique biomass production capability, to spur innovation and industrial activity?  

The East Central Iowa has traditionally developed based on tried and tested growth models, such as industrial parks and suburban-style single family developments. During the think-tank planning process, regional stakeholders highlighted an interest in moving to an innovation focus, including an emphasis on redevelopment and repurposing. This approach could help spur revitalization of traditional downtown areas and older urban neighborhoods. 

How can the region help trigger an approach that focuses on redevelopment and repurposing areas? 

In today’s world, heft matters. The East Central Iowa region, when taken together, has significant assets and potential influence. It offers a substantial workforce and an excellent education system. However, there are some perceived gaps between rural and urban areas, and between the two anchor metropolitan centers of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Past efforts to build a cohesive regional approach have had some successes and challenges.

How important do you think it is to take a regional approach (spanning the urban corridor and surrounding rural counties), and how do we best overcome the challenges of collaboration? 

During the Envision East Central Iowa planning project, stakeholders have identified the desire to pivot to a strong innovation focus. The region has a history of innovation, including in agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, technology, and education. Future innovation is likely to be driven by both institutional efforts, and by individual entrepreneurs. The desire for the future is to create a local culture and environment that celebrates and supports innovation and can attract businesses that want to be part of an innovation ecosystem.  

How do think the region can best support an innovation and entrepreneurial culture and ecosystem?