Connecting, Growing and Investing in Iowa's Rural Communities
The Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa (ERI) initiative was formed by Governor Kim Reynolds by executive order in 2018. ERI is a partnership with the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) and is co-chaired by Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer and IRDC representative Carla Eysink. The executive order created three task forces (Investing, Growing and Connecting). The task forces addressed topics such as rural housing shortage, business transition planning and entrepreneurship, leadership development, creating welcoming communities, attracting and retaining residents and workers, financing broadband connectivity and leveraging connectivity.
In 2023, a new executive order updated the ERI initiative with a refined focus on functioning as a start-up incubator for innovative rural policy. This model allows ERI to engage multiple stakeholders across the state to launch an innovative concept, learn from participants, initiate scaling efforts and, if successful, pass to another agency or organization to continue forward. Organizational changes included reducing membership from 66 appointees to 25 and going from three task forces to one committee.
The Center for Rural Revitalization, housed within the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), is responsible for the day-to-day operations of ERI, implementing ERI task force recommendations, acting as a liaison to rural communities and helping small communities access programs that support rural areas.
Center for Rural Revitalization
In addition to providing funding assistance for projects and initiatives across the state, the Center for Rural Revitalization also provides technical assistance to rural communities in a variety of ways.
The Rural BOOST program aims to provide teams of experts to assist passionate community and business leaders in developing intentional plans for next step growth.
The Rural Child Care Planning Grant program seeks to support the use of data and analysis by rural communities to determine the specific needs and solutions for their area.
The Rural Housing Assessment Grant program supports the use of publicly available, online information through the “Profile of Iowa” tool and rural community efforts to interpret hard data to implement changes through development codes, local ordinances and housing incentives specific to individual community needs.
The Rural Innovation Grant program supports creative, non-traditional ideas that focus on current issues and challenges faced by rural communities associated with the themes of community investment, growth and connection.
The Center supports existing leadership programs, the development of new programs, and the growth of new leaders through an annual Leadership Exchange event, informational webinars, and additional resources.
The Rural Leadership Bootcamp program provides training, mentorship and funding to rural communities and regions initiating leadership programs
The Rural Iowa AmeriCorps Program partners with organizations to provide AmeriCorps member support for programming and spaces that encourage people to live, work, play, and engage in vibrant rural places.
Upcoming Event
6th Annual Iowa Leadership Exchange
The Annual Iowa Leadership Exchange is an educational event held to bolster existing rural leadership programs. This year's event will be held in Indianola on October 28 and 29.