Candidate Catherine Champion

My passion is my community.

I grew up in Iowa City, a graduate of Regina High School and the University of Iowa. The second of eight children, we were raised with a belief in a strong work ethic and a responsibility to serve and give in the city I love.

Having left for a number of years to follow my career at Target Corporation and Gap Inc, I followed my instincts and chose to invest myself back into this community. What a tremendous decision.

I am active in the downtown business community, serving as the president of the DTA and past president of the Downtown District. I co-host a weekly downtown radio show on KXIC. Volunteered on the UIMA Members Council, codeveloping their First Fridays event series.

Finally, I introduced Taste of Iowa City as a partnership between Welcome Week and the DTA, bringing thousands of students and residents together.

I co-own two downtown businesses and developed a third seasonal idea focused on local partnerships with cornerstone businesses, Prairie Lights, Hands Jewelers and Revival Clothing Store that give back to the community.

There is great opportunity in Iowa City.

Fortunate to have the state's largest employer, the University of Iowa embedded in our community, we have stable housing prices and comparatively low unemployment. Iowa City serves as the county seat, an important destination for smaller communities as well as a shopping and restaurant destination for larger cities, including Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities.

Our population is changing, growing, with new challenges and opportunities, We are truly creating a corridor between cities. With this, we must prioritize our community's changing needs as well, diversity, education, business and the non-profit agencies that support our community.

Now is the time to focus development of the city into sustainable living and business patterns, including housing and energy management. Capitalize upon and maintain our long history of fiscal responsibility, managing our growth with a planful approach.

I believe in diversity, fostering change, and strive for collaboration. I am both steeped in tradition and push toward new ideas and innovation.

My priorities include:

l Supporting business districts across Iowa City, including Riverfront Crossings.

l Supporting entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

l Advocating for increased affordable and workforce housing options.

l Preserving our neighborhoods.

l Embracing our cultural diversity.

l Maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

I look forward to serving Iowa City,

Comments: Catherine.Champion@gmail.com