Oskaloosa Representatives Continue To Build Relationships
A delegation from Oskaloosa and Mahaska County continued to build relationships this past week with policy makers at the Iowa Capitol.
Des Moines, Iowa – It’s a yearly tradition now, but its purpose remains the same, to help keep Oskaloosa on the minds of lawmakers.
The process has helped Oskaloosa and its partners get U.S. Highway 63 onto the CIN or Commercial Industrial Network. That type of regional cooperation among entities is something lawmakers have been looking for when making decisions. Everything from transportation to health care is now administered on a regional basis. Area 15 is an example of how transportation dollars are appropriated, not only in Mahaska County but the others within that region, and each community within that region competes for those dollars. Those 5 counties making up Area 15 Regional Planning Commission are Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren, and Wapello.
“It’s really important to maintain the visibility of Oskaloosa and the Mahaska area,” said MCDG Director Andrew Jensen. “We try to make sure we highlight some of the best things and some of the good things we have going on in Mahaska County. We want to draw attention to some of the key transportation projects that we are working on. Mainly the improvements to Highway 63 and the regional airport.”
The connections made and grown by such an event are important in helping to inform policy makers about the community and the importance of the projects to the region and community they would impact. The personal knowledge helps to reach a further understanding beyond stats and quotes on a handout.
“Every connection, every relationship we can develop to get the visibility of those projects out there always helps,” added Jensen.
The real star of the show is always the Oskaloosa Chamber Orchestra, who once again entertained those who entered the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol. They also opened up both the Iowa House and Iowa Senate with a performance.
Two area businesses added a sweet hook and a refreshing drink to the conversation.
Grate Expectations made 450 cupcakes that were served to lawmakers, and other officials. The UNI Panthers Mens Basketball team stopped by for some quick refreshment, which included Mahaska’s (formerly Mahaska Bottling) TYR Endurance Sport.
