Iowa City Area Development Group hires rural development director

IOWA CITY — The Iowa City Area Development Group has hired a director to focus on development in Johnson County’s rural communities.

Sarah Thompson started Monday as the group’s director of rural development. Thompson will be working closely with Johnson County communities.

Under a contract with Johnson County and ICAD, Thompson will work with rural communities and unincorporated areas on grant writing, development projects, economic development programs, strategic marketing, entrepreneurship and project management.

”There is so much potential in a county that is already thriving, and I look forward to helping shape the future of the ecosystem and progress the communities in the ways they desire,“ Thompson said in a statement.

Thompson has previous experience includes being tourism and event coordinator with Story City Greater Chamber Connection for almost 10 years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Thompson was then the executive director of Main Street Lansing in Iowa for two years and the executive director of Hamilton Hometowns for five years.

She was a consultant with Jewell Area Development Enterprise for little more than a year. Thompson also has her own consulting business, Rural Revitalization, that she started in 2018.

“We’re excited to have found someone with this level of experience that also understands the importance of creating a new, agile economy that will be able to withstand whatever the future holds,” said Kate Moreland, president of ICAD.

Thompson also serves the on the Investing in Rural Iowa Task Force of the state’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative. She has worked on issues of housing and entrepreneurship in rural communities.

Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com