Greater Dubuque Development CEO outlines growth, workforce and partnership goals to county supervisors

DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa — Jason White, president and CEO of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, visited the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors during a work session Monday to introduce his agenda and ask how the county would like to be engaged on future economic development prospects.

"We exist to compete for business, compete for business, and to compete for residents," White said, describing the organization's focus on population and tax-base growth, business retention and attraction, workforce development and newcomer services called Distinctively Dubuque. White said the group also supports entrepreneurship programs, site development and regional collaboration with cities and community colleges.

Supervisors welcomed the presentation and discussed practical engagement. White asked whether county updates should be quarterly or more frequent; supervisors suggested quarterly briefings would be sufficient to start. A supervisor thanked White and praised the organization's outreach and partnerships across Dubuque County.

White noted specific programs and tools Greater Dubuque Development uses, including newcomer services and community tours for prospective employees and employer outreach efforts to retain and expand businesses. He also flagged strategic initiatives — housing, childcare, renewable energy, downtown redevelopment and a potential multi-use sports complex — as planning items the county and Greater Dubuque could discuss together.

The board agreed to accept periodic updates and to consult with White’s organization on opportunities that concern unincorporated areas of the county.