Public Policy Update: Advocacy, Leadership & Regional Impact
May 22, 2026 | Public Policy
Regional Leaders Bring The Collective Voice to Washington
Last week Economic Alliance investors and regional leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. for our 2026 DC Fly-In, bringing The Collective Voice directly to federal policymakers and agency leaders.
Over three days, delegates engaged in high-level conversations on the issues shaping our region’s economic future, including workforce and immigration, trade and tariffs, regulatory and permitting reform, housing, transportation and infrastructure investment-including the completion of Tower Terrace Road, and competitiveness in the aerospace industry.
The trip began with an advocacy strategy briefing from a DC-based lobbyist, followed by policy discussions at the U.S. Chamber on Surface Transportation Reauthorization. Participants also toured the U.S. Capitol and connected with Congressional staff during an evening dinner discussion.
Meetings throughout the next two days included discussions with officials from the Canadian Embassy, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Export-Import Bank, along with meetings with Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Joni Ernst, Rep. Ashley Hinson, and Rep. Randy Feenstra.
A highlight of the trip was hosting a Capitol Hill reception that brought together Congressional staff, Iowa leaders, and alumni from the University of Iowa and Coe College to strengthen relationships and elevate the Cedar Rapids region’s priorities.
These conversations matter. They help ensure federal leaders understand the real-world impact policy decisions have on Iowa businesses, workforce needs, infrastructure investment, and economic growth. Advocacy is most effective when it is informed by the voices of employers, community leaders, and regional partners, and this fly-in was another strong example of The Collective Voice in action.
Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors: Eastern Iowa Airport, presenting sponsor; and supporting sponsors Alliant Energy – Interstate Power and Light Co., Collins Aerospace – an RTX Company, Google, and Transamerica.
Regional Civics Bee Inspired Next Generation of Leaders
The Economic Alliance was proud to host the Regional Civics Bee this week, bringing together some of the brightest middle school students from across Eastern Iowa for a day focused on civic knowledge, critical thinking, and community leadership.
The competition featured 17 student finalists representing 4 counties, 5 cities, and 10 different schools. Students advanced to the regional competition by submitting essays identifying a community issue and proposing a thoughtful civic solution demonstrating how individuals, organizations, or government can work together to address local challenges.
This year’s essays tackled a wide range of important topics facing our communities today, including healthcare innovation, public safety, workforce retention, hunger, technology, and more.
Throughout the competition, students competed in two rounds of civics-based multiple-choice questions testing their knowledge of government, history, and civic processes. The top five finalists then advanced to a live question-and-answer round with a panel of judges, where students expanded on their essay topics and demonstrated their ability to think critically and communicate effectively under pressure.
Congratulations to all of our outstanding finalists, and especially to this year’s top finishers, who will represent our region in the state Civics Bee later this summer:
- 1st Place: Shal Shen for an essay focused on AI in healthcare
- 2nd Place: Elaine Oberfoell for an essay focused on storm shelters
- 3rd Place: Raghav Gayatri for an essay addressing Iowa’s brain drain
Events like the Civics Bee help inspire the next generation of engaged citizens and community leaders by encouraging students to better understand how government works and how they can make a meaningful impact in their communities. This year is especially meaningful as our nation prepares to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors – presenting sponsor U.S. Bank, supporter sponsor Walmart, host sponsor Indian Creek Nature Center and our merchandise sponsor Solberg’s – for helping make this event possible and supporting civic education across our region.