Central Iowa leaders will promote a pro-growth agenda that includes a focus on transportation, workforce, housing and permitting reform, when they travel to Washington D.C., next week for the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s annual DMDC trip.

This year’s trip is scheduled for June 3-5, nearly a month later than usual to accommodate the congressional calendar. At least 170 people have signed up for the trip, which has a dual purpose of advocating the Partnership’s federal policy agenda while also providing networking opportunities for those who attend.

“It’s not only to promote our federal policy agenda and be there and advocate for our pro-growth policies at the federal level, but to also build those relationships with our federal partners,” said Laura Book, the Partnership’s director of government relations and public policy. “And then it’s also a chance for all our investors to spend together, talk about perspectives and trade ideas.”

Book said it all adds up to allowing Central Iowa to continue to be competitive in the region.

David Stark, chair of the Partnership’s Government Policy Council, said participants should be prepared for “intense opportunities for networking and communication.”

“We program the entire time,” he said. “You’re going to have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Washington D.C., so be ready to take advantage of it. It begins when you’re getting on the plane to when you get on the plane to come home. It happens at 6 in the morning and at 9 at night. Throughout it all you will get out of it what you put into it, so be ready.”

Stark said he has one tip for everyone going on the trip: “Make five connections you have not made before. Be intentional about how you do that. But make five connections you wouldn’t have made otherwise and you will find value not only for the three days but it will pay itself off in the relationships you make.”

The federal policy priorities for the Partnership on the trip include:

• Regional transportation that advances economic growth and job creation. Projects include the Des Moines International Airport terminal expansion, designating U.S. Highway 5/65 as an interstate highway and the expansion of the Ankeny Regional Airport.
• Permitting reform that modernizes and improves the permitting process to expedite critical infrastructure projects and promote economic growth.
• Workforce funding and programs that support the investment in the workforce through apprenticeships, accessible child care and employer incentives to encourage workforce training and upskilling to retain employees.
• Housing options through funding and policies that encourage communities and employers to invest in new and existing housing.

The Partnership’s federal policy agenda is agreed upon by the Government Policy Council, a process that Stark described as “a very inclusive process which is reflective of our membership.”

“There’s a lot of diversity out there and opinions,” he said. “We have a big tent and we invite everybody into that tent.”

The process includes input from civic leaders, business leaders, nonprofit leaders, and urban, suburban and rural leaders, Stark said.

“Everybody had their fingerprints on this plan,” he said.