(Spencer)– The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is out with its list of legislative priorities for 2012. Officials say they center around workforce, housing, entrepreneurship and business development. They’re requesting assistance from the federal government with transportation, infrastructure and long-term funding for surface transportation projects. While funding has already been approved for Highway 86 and Highway 9, Corridor President and CEO Kathy Evert says the next focus is on getting the rest of 4-laning Highway 20 funded and completed.
For jobs and workforce, Evert says the priorities include assisting workforce training and retraining initiatives to meet needs of employers; adding new technical training programs in area middle and high schools; expanding technical training at community colleges; and renewal of the wind energy production tax credit.
Funding the national guard bureau’s September of 2010 five-year contact with Polaris Industries for the fielding of all terrain ultra light tactical vehicles to all 50 states and four territories is also a priority. Those vehicles are manufactured in Spirit Lake.
And for housing, Evert says funding of HUD programs and addressing new banking regulations that have a negative impact on lending for home mortgages are priorities.
Evert says the Corridor is also concerned over any changes to TIF (tax increment financing) that would weaken its flexibility and use by local government to support development.
