Grassley will address economic development issues and budget and tax policy beginning at 5:45 p.m., on Tuesday, February 17, in advance of the 7 o'clock dinner at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines.
According to organizers of the event, Southeast Iowa Days provides business and civic leaders of Mt. Pleasant, Burlington/West Burlington, Ft. Madison, and Keokuk the opportunity to meet with state legislators and state government officials in Des Moines. Convened for the first time last year, approximately 60 people attended from Henry, Lee and Des Moines counties. The purpose of the dinner this year is to encourage discussion among civic and business leaders of these communities about the future of the region.
In 1993 and 1994, Grassley sponsored, along with community leaders, a Burlington/West Burlington Area Economic Development Summit. This three-part summit involved: 1) a meeting in Burlington to set local development priorities and identify opportunities; 2) a trip by a delegation of community leaders to Washington, D.C., to meet with key federal agency representatives and promote attention to local priorities; and, 3) hosting federal and state government officials in Burlington/West Burlington to give them a first-hand look and understanding of the development needs of the area.
In August 1993, Grassley also hosted ambassadors and trade representatives from 32 nations around the world on a five-day tour of Southeast Iowa, including visits to Burlington and Ft. Madison. Grassley has sponsored these Ambassadors Tours of Iowa six times since 1986 to promote international trade and boost high-paying jobs and economic activity throughout Iowa.
Grassley serves as Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade.
