The Ames Regional Economic Alliance Public Policy Program focuses on educating and engaging members on key legislative issues and initiatives impacting the Ames region. Maintaining strong relationships with federal, state, and locally elected officials is a key tenet of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, and a service we are proud to provide to our entire membership.
This component of our services is most prevalent during the spring when the state legislature is in session, but the efforts continue year-round at the state and federal levels. In all advocacy efforts, the Ames Regional Economic Alliance remains nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates or support political action committees but provides opportunities for candidates and constituents to connect and share information.
In May 2025, the Ames Alliance organized the annual Washington D.C. Fly-In where a delegation of business and community leaders from across the three-county Ames region traveled to our nation’s capital to meet with elected officials, government department officials, and nonpartisan foreign policy experts.
“The goal of the 2025 Fly-In is clear: to elevate our region’s voice on the national stage and gain insights into the Federal policy landscape that impacts our local priorities,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance. “During our time in Washington D.C., we will meet with both elected officials and policy experts to discuss issues critical to central Iowa—ranging from infrastructure and economic development to international trade, workforce, and agriculture.”
During the three-day visit, our delegation was able to meet directly with our elected officials including Senator Charles Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, Representative Randy Feenstra, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Representative Zach Nunn. A packet of policy considerations was presented, and our delegation was able to talk candidly with policymakers about upcoming legislation in real time.
Additionally, trade specialists from the Canadian Embassy located in D.C. came to answer questions about the ongoing tariff debates and close international trade connections between Iowa and Canada. Pollster and Director of Political Strategy Mitchell Brown from CYGNAL presented a fascinating picture on polling data and topics that impacted elections both in 2024 and what they were seeing building up to 2026. And finally, Josh Stull from the House Agriculture Committee Republican Staff focused on rural development and energy issues was able to provide great insight into the new Farm Bill under development and past examples on ag policy.
Other topics related to our region included the importance of regionalism, small business support, funding opportunities, tourism, and transportation. The pace within the Capitol building is robust, yet many of our federally elected officials prioritized time to meet with our delegation from Boone, Hamilton, and Story County between committee meetings and votes.
This annual fly-in is critical to building direct relationships with just not our elected officials but their staff as well. Such work can create even greater opportunities throughout the years as federal partnership opportunities arise for local regional initiatives and the ability to partner and advocate for future support. Planning for 2026 is already underway with the fly-in tentatively scheduled for April 2026. For more information, contact Greg Piklapp, Director of Economic Development Outreach & Government Relations.
