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ENVISION EAST CENTRAL IOWA IS AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ACROSS THE REGION’S SIX-COUNTIES.

Envision East Central Iowa is the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the six-county region of Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties. This innovative strategic blueprint is a collaborative effort of our region’s public, private, education, non-profit and philanthropic organizations.   

 

Our goal is to create a thriving, resilient region with shared prosperity for all. Our success is built on partnerships. Our impact multiplies when we work together. We invite you to join us as we celebrate past successes and begin new endeavors.

BE PART OF SHAPING EAST CENTRAL IOWA'S FUTURE

We are forming action teams to work on each of the key Strategic Pillars and priority actions. If you are interested – let us know!

Embracing an innovation focus to build regional competitiveness

01.

Creating more vibrant communities

05.

Fostering an entrepreneurial approach to create and capture new opportunities

02.

Purposefully growing a thriving diverse regional workforce

06.

Protecting and sustaining our unique natural resources

03.

Creating and expanding pathways for shared prosperity

07.

Reimagining the built environment

04.

REGIONAL SUCCESS STORIES

Read about the success our regional partners have had working individually and in collaboration with other partners to advance comprehensive economic development strategies in the Eastern Iowa Region.

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ENVISION EAST CENTRAL IOWA – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2022-2026 COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

"Envision East Central Iowa can help prioritize regional desires/needs and give each organization and community a working blueprint that can help move collaboration and success forward. The comprehensive nature of the plan is exciting - even though we will be updating it over the next few years, at the end of the decade, we could have some monumental changes accomplished if we all work together and move forward. Everyone has a positive focus on what the region can and should be - we just need to harness that energy to make sure we follow through. "

Derek Lumsden
Executive Director
Jones County Economic Development
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“As we emerge from the disasters our communities have faced over the past few years, we have an opportunity to create a powerful future for our entire area. It’s clear we’re all hungry for our area to thrive, and this process encompasses ideas from every corner of our region. We have such potential and opportunity before us and seeing a strategic, well-conceived plan allows us to further focus and evolve our amazing communities into a distinct region, illustrating to the world all of the assets we offer.”

Kristin Roberts, MSL
President & CEO
United Way of East Central Iowa
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