DT #534 Behind the scenes of state level economic Development - Debi Durham, the Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).

Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Debi Durham, the Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) joins Dennis to discuss the role of a state economic development director.

• Fifteen years ago, what was the state of economic development?
• Fast forward 15 years, and how has economic development changed?
• Through two main divisions – business development and community development the IEDA administers almost 50 state and federal programs to assist individuals, communities, and businesses. That is a lot of plates to spin at one time. How big is the IEDA team?
• As a state, does Iowa target specific sectors for projects?
• Every state has advantages and disadvantages. How do you work to sell the sizzle for Iowa?
• How competitive are projects between the states?
• At the local level, we are used to projects from the state, utility, or rail partners. How do projects flow to the IEDA?
• Let's talk about the changes in the economic development landscape for projects, starting with the rise of certified sites.
• Incentives are always a controversial topic. How have incentives changed during your tenure, and what are your views on incentives?
• What advice for frontline economic development professionals do you have when competing for projects or existing industry expansions?
• What do you wish every economic development professional knew about when responding to RFIs?
• Debi, look into your crystal ball. What do you think economic development will look like in 10 years?

Debi Durham

Debi Durham is a longtime economic and community development professional who serves as Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Durham was named to the positions by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in January 2019. Durham was first appointed to lead IEDA in 2011, and during her eight-year tenure, has turned the agency into a successful public-private partnership, landed billion-dollar economic development projects for Iowa and worked tirelessly on expanding trade and investment opportunities for the state. She prides herself on building coalitions, supporting new ventures and strengthening the state's industries and communities.

Prior to joining IEDA, Durham served as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Her several accolades include being recognized as one of the "Most Influential Business Leaders" in the 2019 Des Moines Business Record Book of Lists and receiving the Technology Association of Iowa's "Legislative Advocacy Leader" award in 2017. Durham also was recognized by the Business Record as a "Woman of Influence" in 2016. Durham holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern State University.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority's (IEDA) mission is to strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses.

Expand Your Business

• Accelerated Career Education (260G)
• Angel Investor Tax Credit
• Business Expansion & Strategic Trends (BEST)
• Business License Information Center
• Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Program
• Community College Consortium
• Demonstration Fund
• Economic Development Set-Aside (EDSA)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Entrepreneurial Investment Awards (EIA) Program
• High Quality Jobs (HQJ)
• IASourceLink
• Industrial New Jobs Training (260E)
• Innovation Acceleration Fund
• Innovation Fund Tax Credit
• International Trade Office
• Iowa Apprenticeship Programs
• Iowa Jobs Training (260F)
• Iowa Student Internship Program
• New Jobs Tax Credit
• Proof of Commercial Relevance
• Renewable Chemical Production Tax Credit
• Research Activities Tax Credit
• SBIR & STTR Outreach Programs
• Stem Internship Program
• Targeted Jobs Withholding Tax Credit
• Targeted Small Business Program
• Wage Requirements

Grow Your Community

• Annexation, Discontinuance and Land Planning
• Clean Cities Program
• Community Catalyst Building Remediation
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs
• Community Facilities & Services
• Destination Iowa
• Disaster Recovery
• Disaster Workforce Housing Tax Credits
• Downtown Resource Center
• Downtown Revitalization Fund
• Employment Transportation
• Empower Rural Iowa
• Endow Iowa
• Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program
• Enhance Iowa
• Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Iowa Energy Center Grant Program
• Iowa Energy Office
• Iowa Green Streets
• Iowa Reinvestment Districts
• Main Street Iowa
• Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Remediation
• Opportunities and Threats Fund
• Opportunity Zones
• Redevelopment Tax Credits
• Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program
• Rural Innovation Grant Program
• Shop Iowa
• Sustainable Land Use Planning
• Water & Sewer Fund
• Workforce Housing Tax Credit