The Indianola City Council approved an agreement for the City to participate in a regional economic organization, the Mid Iowa Planning Alliance. Interim City Manager Charlie Dissell tells KNIA News Indianola and other cities and counties were missing out on potential federal funds by not being a part of one previously.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic started coming down, the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization realized the central Iowa region was missing out on some disaster funding that would be available if there was an economic development district that was in the area. So the Des Moines MPO worked to create this district through the US Economic Development Administration.”

Dissell also said what the Mid Iowa Planning Alliance does is provide staffing for all of the cities and counties to get some economic development assistance such as grant writing, comprehensive plan assistance, zoning codes, and much more at a minimal cost to the city.