Two local business leaders voiced support for financial incentives to encourage new college graduates to remain in Iowa at a Power Breakfast held at the Des Moines Club this morning.

Rob Denson, president of Des Moines Area Community College, served as moderator for the event, presented by the Des Moines Business Record, and the panel consisted of Steve Chapman, CEO of ITAGroup Inc.; Doug Reichardt, chairman of Holmes Murphy & Associates; and Ted Townsend, president of Townsend Vision.

The discussion centered on the problems of recruiting and retaining enough employees to fuel business growth in Iowa, and Reichardt suggested increasing financial support to students who agree to “have a W-2 form in Iowa for four years” after graduation. Chapman cited the example of a Georgia program that pays the tuition of students who maintain a 3.0 grade-point average.

Townsend dissented, saying, “Quality of life and unique distinctions will deliver bigger paychecks, but I don’t know if we ought to lead with that.”