The State of North Iowa – Growing Our Future
The State of North Iowa was held on Thursday, January 16 at the Mason City High School Fieldhouse. More than 150 people attended the annual event, which is sponsored by Clear Lake Bank & Trust.
This year, attendees heard presentations about efforts to grow our future workforce and attract new talent to the region. Bridgette Exman Dunn, Assistant Superintendent of Mason City Schools, kicked off the first panel with an overview of the district’s programming to provide career pathways to all students at MCHS. She said their goal was to see every student who graduates either Enrolled (in some form of post-secondary education), Employed, or Enlisted (in a branch of armed services). Then, a panel of students shared their experiences participating in the work-ready programs, including medical training, welding and the trades, lifeguarding, and entrepreneurship. All ten students in the panel shared they are planning to work in North Iowa upon graduation from their programs of work. Business leaders at the event shared how exciting it was to hear how much progress had been made in this area of work, and they felt encouraged about the next generation as they enter the workforce.
View Mason City Community School’s Career Pathway Presentation
Next, the focus turned to efforts to attract talent from outside the region. Aaron Burnett, City Administrator in Mason City, provided updates on the status of the Bike North Iowa project. He shared that the Downtown Riverwalk would be complete by June, and the Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park would open in early summer.
View the Bike North Iowa Presentation
Chelsy Snyder Anderson, board member of the Surf Ballroom, and Jeff Nichols, president of the Surf Ballroom, shared an update on the Surf District progress. The Surf Music Experience Center is slated to open in July 2025, and work is underway on the streetscape in the Surf District. She also shared news about the new businesses that have opened or are planning to open in the District.
View the Surf District Presentation
Finally, Staci Hupp Ballard from the Iowa Economic Development Authority provided an update on the national “This is Iowa” marketing campaign. She shared that the campaign had exceeded expectation – they had a goal of 1000 relocation leads in the first year, and they received 1000 in the first month of implementation! To date, North Iowa has heard from 131 people interested in moving to the region and continues to connect with 25 who are actively pursuing a move to North Iowa.
View the This is Iowa Talent Attraction Campaign Presentation