Friday morning in Pella, there was a business summit at Vermeer Global Pavilion. Business leaders met with legislators from both parties, as well as representatives from local governments, and schools to talk about potential actions that could be taken to improve the business climate in Iowa. Topics they focused on included the property tax reform, the need for reliable energy sources, regional cooperation for government services, and the need for a reliable workforce that’s educated in math and science to the level that businesses require.

Iowa District 38 Democratic Senator Tom Rielly tells KNIA/KRLS News that he thought the meeting went well. He said that his biggest take away is that county and township government cooperation is essential. Republican Iowa House District 75 Representative Guy Vander Linden tells KNIA/KRLS News that he thinks this is one of the best events he attends, and that it provided valuable information. Senator Paul McKinley and representative Jim Van Englenhoven also attended the event, before attending Q&A sessions in Pella and Knoxville. Karen Eischen, Director of the Pella Chamber of Commerce tells KNIA/KRLS that overall the event went well.