Economic partnership rebrands, asks Humboldt County for $52,500 in annual support

The Partnership For Economic Growth, the local economic development organization that works with Humboldt County businesses, presented a rebrand and asked the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for $52,500 in annual support at a recent meeting.

The group's presenter said the organization adopted a new name and logo this year after a strategic planning process with the University of Northern Iowa. "We operate extremely lean — 1 and a half staff on a $150,000 budget," the presenter said, adding the organization tracks capital projects and tax valuation increases tied to its work.

The presenter summarized the group's five priority areas — organizational stability, business retention and expansion, site and building development, talent and business attraction, and workforce development — and described the strategic plan as a five-year document. The packet shared with supervisors included an economic-impact card showing $41,500,000 in additional taxable valuation and $61,100,000 in total capital projects the organization said it helped advance over roughly 14 years.

On funding, the presenter said the Partnership requests an incremental increase rather than a large one-time raise. "We did request just small incremental $25,100 on top of the typical request. So it's $52,500 is the request," the presenter said.

The presenter said the organization also tracks its revolving loan fund and reported $3,550,000 loaned to small and emerging businesses over the last 15 years. The group told supervisors it has been meeting with local partners, including Humboldt County Housing, the county food pantry and the Community Foundation, to align administrative support and partnerships.

Supervisors did not vote on the request at the meeting; the board said it would take the request under advisement and consider it during the budget process.