Local reps to lobby in DC, seeking SL lake money, $3m to expand wastewater plant

Delegates from all counties in the Iowa Lakes Corridor Region met Wednesday, March 3, to finalize plans for the fifth annual Washington, DC Summit. The purpose of the summit is to build and strengthen relationships with congressional representatives and their staff, and to gain their support for key infrastructure projects needed to support economic development in the region. The group will leave for our nation's capital Wednesday, March 10.

The delegates will be advocating for continued funding of Storm Lake dredging and restoration, and sewer line development to the south side reidential areas around the lake. Also on their agenda is completion of Highway 20 as a four-lane, capacity expansion for the Storm Lake wastewater plant, an upgrade to Highway 86 in the Lakes area, a Superior wastewater treatment collection system, East Center Lake drainage, and Clay County geothermal pilot project.

The group of 15 delegates is comprised of elected officials and business leaders, led by Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation President Kathy Evert. They will meet with Senator Grassley, Congressman Latham, Congressman King and Senator Harkin. While such a lobbying effort may not produce immediate results, they do eventually make an impact, according to Evert.

Read more of this story in the March 9 Pilot Tribune.