Liz Mathis to head Hiawatha development group

HIAWATHA — Former state Sen. Liz Mathis has been appointed to fill the newly created economic development coordinator’s job with the Hiawatha Economic Development Corp.

The HEDCO board approved her appointment, effective Nov. 1.

“Liz has years of experience working on business growth and understanding the issues surrounding workforce development and shortages,” Hiawatha City Manager Dennis Marks said in a news release. “We are pleased she will join us, to help Hiawatha thrive.”

Mathis, who lives in Hiawatha, is a former broadcast journalist and a retired Four Oaks executive.

She was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011 and served until 2022, when she ran unsuccessfully for Congress against U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, in the general election.

The Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation advocates for businesses in Hiawatha or those wishing to relocate to the city of 7,000 north of Cedar Rapids.