"Get to know your region" study on Iowa population shifts to be presented September 20

Northeast Iowa Business Network and ITC Midwest are hosting Ben Winchester from the University of Minnesota Extension September 20 from 3-5 p.m. at the Northeast Iowa Community College’s Dairy Center. Winchester will speak on his new study from U.S. Census data on how rural Iowa continued to attract new residents ages 30 to 49 between 2000 and 2010. All mayors, supervisors and city clerks are encouraged to attend.
“It’s the rule that young people move to pursue educational and career goals, not the exception,” said Winchester. “Instead of labeling that loss as ‘doom and gloom’ for rural, I’ve examined the population trends more deeply. Acknowledging the brain gain allows rural places to focus on their strengths and opportunities, which is the work of any community striving for a brighter future.”
In the new report, “Continuing the Trend: The Brain Gain of the Newcomers,” Winchester updates Iowa’s population shifts as captured by the 2010 Census and provides an examination of the trend at the national level. “In rural areas, little changes make a big difference,” Winchester said.  “And these numbers certainly change the story.”
To access the study in PDF format, visit www.extension.umn.edu/go/1107. To register for the workshop, contact Ardie Kuhse at akuhse@uerpc.org or 563-864-7551, ext. 111.