SOUTHEAST IOWA…NORTHEAST MISSOURI…AND WEST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS…ARE NOW OFFICIALLY A “GREAT REGIONS” AREA.
THE FEDERAL DESIGNATION…ANNOUNCED THURSDAY IN QUINCY BY USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS…GIVES THE 35 COUNTIES INVOLVED ANOTHER TOOL FOR BUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY, IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION…TECHNOLOGY…BUSINESS…AND HEALTH-CARE.
FORMER IOWA GOVERNOR TOM VILSACK GOT THE BALL ROLLING AFTER THE FLOOD OF ’93, WHEN HE AND SOME OTHERS BEGAN TO FORM THE TRI-STATE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT. VILSACK HAS A LITTLE MORE “PULL” NOW, AS U-S SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE…AND SUMMIT P-R DIRECTOR BRENT ENGEL SAYS THE DESIGNATION WILL HELP THE REGION GROW.