DUBUQUE - On Feb. 20, State Representative Steve Hilgenberg (D-Dodgeville) and State Representative Phil Garthwaite (D-Dickeyville) participated in a meeting of regional economic leaders in Dubuque, Iowa.
The meeting of the RiverLands Economic Advantage Partnership (REAP) brought together government and economic leaders from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin to discuss ways the region could work together to attract jobs and encourage economic growth. This meeting of the REAP group was the first to bring representatives from all three states together for a cooperative discussion.
"This was a great opportunity to examine innovative economic development projects for the tri-state region," Rep. Hilgenberg said. "Business leaders, local governments and economic planning groups have a lot of great ideas as to improving the business climate and we as state legislators can help build partnerships that will benefit southwestern Wisconsin as a whole."
"We need to think outside the box about ways to bring better jobs, and more economic development to Southwestern Wisconsin," Rep. Phil Garthwaite said. "Working with our friends in Iowa and Illinois brings our common interests and our combined strengths to creating a comprehensive regional economic plan. I'm excited about what a regional mindset can do for our area. This mindset change is long overdue, and I'm excited to be a part of it."
The REAP group has been organized by several economic development organizations and is being lead by Dr. Mark Drabenston of the Rural Policy Institute, Center for Regional Competitiveness at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Drabenston and his colleagues bring economic analysis tools and a general framework about regional competitiveness to ideas from local representatives.
Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to contact Rep. Hilgenberg by contacting his office toll-free at (888) 534-0051 or Rep.Hilgenberg@legis.wi.gov.
The meeting of the RiverLands Economic Advantage Partnership (REAP) brought together government and economic leaders from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin to discuss ways the region could work together to attract jobs and encourage economic growth. This meeting of the REAP group was the first to bring representatives from all three states together for a cooperative discussion.
"This was a great opportunity to examine innovative economic development projects for the tri-state region," Rep. Hilgenberg said. "Business leaders, local governments and economic planning groups have a lot of great ideas as to improving the business climate and we as state legislators can help build partnerships that will benefit southwestern Wisconsin as a whole."
"We need to think outside the box about ways to bring better jobs, and more economic development to Southwestern Wisconsin," Rep. Phil Garthwaite said. "Working with our friends in Iowa and Illinois brings our common interests and our combined strengths to creating a comprehensive regional economic plan. I'm excited about what a regional mindset can do for our area. This mindset change is long overdue, and I'm excited to be a part of it."
The REAP group has been organized by several economic development organizations and is being lead by Dr. Mark Drabenston of the Rural Policy Institute, Center for Regional Competitiveness at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Drabenston and his colleagues bring economic analysis tools and a general framework about regional competitiveness to ideas from local representatives.
Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to contact Rep. Hilgenberg by contacting his office toll-free at (888) 534-0051 or Rep.Hilgenberg@legis.wi.gov.
