(Okoboji)– The Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development says her agency is looking forward to completely changing how it does business.
Debi Durham was the keynote speaker Thursday evening in the latest installment of the Pearson Lakes Art Center’s Growing Iowa’s Economy speakers series. Durham told KUOO news she feels the Governor’s proposal to convert the department to a public/private partnership will result in it taking on a much more pro-active approach to economic development. A bill that would allow the transition is currently held up in the legislature. But Durham remains confident it will eventually pass, saying there’s bipartisan support for it.
When it comes to growing Iowa’s economy and increasing jobs, Durham says her goal is to do that through increasing the state’s exports.
On another note, Durham told KUOO news she’s concerned ongoing increases in gasoline prices could take a toll on the state’s economic recovery, which she describes as “fragile”.
