Economy: Green is key element in Iowa economic development efforts
By Charlotte Eby

Growing Iowa communities are being encouraged to develop in environmentally friendly ways through new programs and guidelines being promoted by the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Last year, the department launched what is called its “green journey” to establish an environmental element to many of its programs.

They also are emphasizing the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized properties within a community to bring vitality back to town centers.

State officials are lending technical and financial assistance to two pilot projects of so-called “green” communities: West Union and Woodbine.

In West Union, they’re aiming for a green revitalization of the downtown.

Some of the ideas include installing high-efficient lighting, a district geo-thermal system, and the potential for a snow and ice-melt system there.

“That would be a very attractive place to be shopping in January and February and also reduce the city’s maintenance cost and snow removal cost and cost for sand and salt and all those things,” said Jeff Geerts, special projects manager for the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

They’ll also emphasize capturing storm water to protect nearby trout streams, the environmentally sensitive waterways found in northeast Iowa.

More than 70 businesses in West Union are in the process of completing energy audits.

West Union Main Street Program Director Robin Bostrom said they would like to see the project raise awareness of the community and draw new residents and businesses. She noted that younger generations are environmentally conscious.

“We’re hoping that it will energize our economy and bring in some of those folks here,” Bostrom said.

She said the project has helped them learn about new technologies and gives them the chance to work with experts in their fields.

“It’s certainly something that our community would not be able to pay for entirely on their own,” Bostrom said.

State economic development officials will search for green solutions in other state programs as well including the Community Attraction and Tourism program, which hands out grants to local projects, and Main Street Iowa.

Geerts said they’ll also look to use those environmentally friendly concepts in disaster recovery efforts as the state rebuilds from flood and storm damage this year.

They’re looking to establish a green building curriculum for developers and contractors to implement sustainable design concepts.

The department already has worked with designers on some affordable housing projects and other building projects receiving grants to make them more durable and environmentally sustainable.

Geerts said the emphasis is on energy efficiency, taking advantage of solar power and day lighting to reduce artificial lighting and managing storm water on site to mitigate flooding and improve water quality.

Charlotte Eby is Des Moines bureau chief for Lee Enterprises’ five daily newspapers in Iowa. She can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com .