Hiawatha in spotlight at annual luncheon

HIAWATHA - State and local officials spoke Thursday about their work to spark economic growth during the Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation's fourth annual State of the City luncheon.

State Sen. Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Robins, and Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha, shared the podium at Kirkwood Community College's Linn County Regional Center. The two reflected on the recent legislative session.

'Overall, I thought we moved the state forward, I'd probably score it a B,” Paulsen said. 'We had some successes, we had some disappointments.”

Mathis said the Legislature passed a bill that supports internships for Iowa students studying in STEM fields. She also said the Legislature funded programs that support apprenticeships and job retraining at the community college level.

Mathis said the state should continue to focus on providing a fiscally balanced budget, expanding job training programs and fully funding K-12 education.

Hiawatha Mayor Tom Theis also spoke at the event about the city's economy and its efforts to promote economic growth.

He said the past two years have brought new commercial developments to Hiawatha, with multiple construction projects along Boyson Road.

Theis said Hiawatha welcomed the construction of three residential developments that are expected to add about 300 new homes to the city.

'It's great to see the city on the grow again,” he said.

Scott Gasway, chair of the HEDCO board, said almost 200 people registered for the event this year - a 20 percent increase since last year's event. He said the event raises operation funds for the organization and usually brings in about $5,000 to $10,000.

'It's important as a community and as a business community to celebrate the successes that we have,” Gasway said of the event. 'And the great place that we have to live and work.”