Greater Dubuque Development Corp. highlights workforce, childcare grants and local growth indicators

Jason White, of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, updated the Cascade City Council on Jan. 13 about the organization’s work in business retention and expansion, recruitment, workforce solutions and strategic initiatives including childcare, housing and renewable energy.

White described a Child Care Solutions Fund public–private partnership that supported local centers in 2024; he said Aquin (Aquin Little Angels) received a $22,264.20 grant to support recruitment and retention and that a new round of funding opened in 2025. He also presented findings from a ‘‘NextGen’’ survey (open to respondents ages roughly 18–40) that included 41 respondents from Cascade and neighboring Bernard; the survey found that prospective residents value quality schools, affordable home ownership and access to quality health care and childcare.

White summarized business outreach work: a 13‑business visitation program and other employer engagement that identified priorities such as housing affordability, talent attraction and downtown revitalization. He noted a community perception measure in which employers rated city government about 5.16 out of 7 for ‘‘ease of doing business.’’ White also reported that, per American Community Survey data, Cascade led county peers in percentage population growth since 2020, a result he attributed in part to recent local investments in amenities and housing.

White invited council questions and offered follow‑up materials and assistance with workforce and economic programs cited in the packet.