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Advanced Southwest Iowa reports 2024 wins, seeks bylaw change to pursue 501(c)(3) funding
Summary
Advanced Southwest Iowa staff updated the board on 2024 economic-development activity — including 56 active projects, $110.4 million in local capital investment and 264 jobs — and asked supervisors to remove a bylaws provision so the organization can pursue a 501(c)(3) arm; the board asked staff to return with clarifying documents before voting.
At the Jan. 7 Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors meeting, Advanced Southwest Iowa (Advance) presented its 2024 results and asked the board to approve an amendment to Advance’s bylaws so the organization can complete steps to form a 501(c)(3) affiliate.
Paula Hazelwood, Advance CEO, reviewed the year’s work and said the organization closed 14 landed projects in 2024 — representing about $110,400,000 in capital investment and 264 retained or new jobs — and finished the year with 56 active projects in its pipeline. Hazelwood also reported that Advance has raised about $800,000 toward a planned coworking space at 20 Arena Way (the project’s target is $1.8 million) and that the organization had awarded prizes and offered services through its entrepreneurs' programs.
Hazelwood then asked the board to approve removing a provision in Article 10 of Advance’s bylaws that, per her attorney’s review, is unusual for nonprofit economic-development organizations and could hinder the nonprofit reorganization. She said the requested change would not alter the board structure or the county’s continuing board representation: "It does not change any of our obligations to the county, any of our accountability," Hazelwood said.
The board asked staff to provide the signed bylaw versions they had on record and to return with clarifying documents. Supervisor discussion noted the county already has an executed copy of Advance’s bylaws in its records; supervisors asked Hazelwood to bring the discrepancy to the board next week so the county can compare versions before adopting any resolution. Hazelwood said she will present updated materials to the supervisors at the next meeting and will also seek a matching resolution from the City of Council Bluffs.
Why it matters: Advance is the regional economic-development organization serving Council Bluffs and rural Pottawattamie County; forming a 501(c)(3) could broaden grant opportunities, especially for entrepreneurial and capacity-building programs.
Details provided during the presentation included:
- Pipeline and outcomes: 56 active projects, 14 landed projects in 2024, roughly $110.4 million in capital investment and 264 jobs tied to Advance-supported projects (figures provided by Advance staff).
- Entrepreneur support and facilities: the Kitchen Council engaged 61 food entrepreneurs; Advance raised $20,000 for a pitch competition; and Advance reported $800,000 of a $1.8 million fundraising target for a coworking space at 20 Arena Way.
- Rural work: Advance and staff described a rural initiative (VIBE / Vibrant Rural Communities) funded in part by county ARPA funds and matched by Iowa West Foundation to support infrastructure and revitalization projects in small towns.
Next steps: Advance staff will bring the specific bylaw documents and attorney guidance to the board at a future meeting so supervisors can compare documents before taking a vote. Hazelwood said she plans to seek parallel action from the City of Council Bluffs.
