ICC Welcome

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Washington, Sep 16, 2009 - Iowa Congressman Tom Latham welcomed leaders from throughout Iowa to the 2009 Iowa Community Conference, which took place Tuesday and Wednesday.

The two-day conference in Washington, D.C., an Iowa tradition dating back more than 60 years, gives community leaders an opportunity to discuss the unique challenges faced by Iowa cities and counties and to meet with federal officials to work out strategies to strengthen communities.  The conference featured panel discussions on the federal appropriations process, preparation for the 2010 census, federal resources available for water and waste projects and implementing green technology in municipal utilities.  

“I always look forward to the Iowa Community Conference,” Congressman Latham said.  “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Iowa leaders to get together and exchange ideas and approaches to improve their communities, and it’s always one of the highlights of my year.”

Congressman Latham has hosted the conference each year since he took office. The first community conference took place in 1947 and was hosted by Congressman Charles B. Hoeven, who represented Iowa’s 8th Congressional District at the time.

This year’s conference attracted leaders from communities such as Marshalltown, Mason City, Humboldt, Ames, Pocahontas, Franklin County, Boone, Fort Dodge and the Des Moines area.  Attendees said the conference provided them with valuable insights and a chance to collaborate with peers from other areas of the state.

“There’s always something you can take away from these,” said Franklin County Supervisor Jerry Plagge, a regular community conference attendee for about a decade. “For instance, we’ve increased funding in our efforts for economic development, and that came from conversations that I heard at these community conferences.”

Tuesday’s sessions featured discussions on topics such as water projects and transportation, including a talk given by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  Wednesday’s sessions focused on energy policy and how local communities can work with the federal appropriations process.