Due to extreme weather events and extreme weather patterns, Poweshiek County’s economy needs to be buttressed with characteristics to lessen the likelihood of financial stressors on businesses and workers.

One action is to secure availability of quality food.

To achieve this goal, a larger volume of locally grown food is necessary. This protects from food insecurity events manifesting outside of Poweshiek County that would otherwise impact our food supply chain; examples: Ukraine grain crisis, California’s drought and now flood.

A second safeguard is creating jobs tied into business activities that adapt to climate change. That in itself stabilizes our local job market. To reason it out, simply think of those business activities being what are to be continuous in demand for generations to come, such as, wind generators, solar panels, passive home construction, and horticulture products.

A third action to advancing our county-wide economic stability is embracing an equitable approach to elevating opportunity. Ensuring everyone has a stake in economic policy is justice. It energizes our community at-large with a spirit of good will. A place everyone wants to call home.

A fourth factor to secure development is starting up production of many locally made products.

How does it work? This new revenue has a multiplier effect in the county, spurring even more local investment. As a result, further economic opportunities are created for Poweshiek County workers and businesses.

In summary, climate crisis disasters will be on-going. Thus, we must put in place factors of economic stability while simultaneously, elevating opportunities for businesses and workers to thrive.

Resilience

Local grown vegetables and fruit