Investing in Iowa’s Future

The best environment for economic growth empowers Iowa communities and businesses to collaborate and thrive. PDI supports tax credits and financial tools competitively aligned with Iowa’s target industries, startups, and the development community. PDI encourages the legislature to fully fund these programs and scale them as necessary. Iowa’s Workforce Housing program continues to lag behind private sector demand. PDI supports the development of new tools that support emerging industries and position Iowa as a national leader in economic growth. PDI applauds recent income tax reforms and stands ready to inform continued work in modernizing Iowa’s tax policy into a more predictive, user-friendly, and competitive system. Through all reforms, PDI is a strong supporter of local government and protecting local control in our communities. We remain strong advocates for protecting Local Option Sales Tax, defending Tax Increment Financing, and developing other tools that empower local and county governments.

Infrastructure

Investing in Iowa’s Infrastructure means leveraging unique assets to compete in a global economy. PDI supports bold proposals such as the establishment of an “infrastructure bank” to reinvest earnings from state reserves into a low-interest loan program for community and county infrastructure projects. We stand behind continued investments in water quality and water infrastructure projects. PDI encourages the legislature to invest in outdoor recreation and natural resources that enhance access to Iowa’s unique landscape. PDI asks the legislature to consider new sustainable, innovative, and diverse funding mechanisms for Iowa’s transportation infrastructure to keep up with ever-changing consumer and traffic demands. PDI also seeks additional resources for continued investments in Iowa’s roads, bridges, levees, and flood mitigation systems.

Workforce Retention & Attraction

PDI supports sustainable solutions and incentives that propel businesses and employees to overcome barriers to employment. PDI encourages the legislature to accelerate its focus on sustainable funding for job training. These include the highly successful 260E and 260F programs. PDI is rooted in partnerships and advocates for Iowa’s high schools, and community colleges, and growth in apprenticeship programs for high-demand careers. Iowa must regain its status as an educational leader by breaking down barriers between local school boards, considering the expansion of preschool, and increasing funding for community colleges. PDI also supports new tools to grow Iowa’s population. Examples may include tax credits for individuals burdened by student loans, childcare, and housing costs. Iowa must be viewed as a welcoming state to all individuals. We are supporters of federal legislation that improves national immigration policy and legally grows our workforce. 

Housing, Child Care & Quality of Life

Iowa has made large strides toward addressing the state’s greatest housing needs. Communities impacted by natural disasters face a high risk of losing population as housing stock is diminished. PDI supports a new $50 million cap to the Workforce Housing Tax Credits with a new focus on owner-occupied housing and 

reinvestments into the state’s aging stock. Given the progress in addressing Child Care over the past several legislative sessions, the affordability of care must continue to be addressed. PDI also asks state leaders to boldly invest in sustainable quality-of-place initiatives through ongoing permanent funding to Destination Iowa.