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Senate Update: Shop local to keep economy thriving
by Bob Dvorsky, State Senator · Op-Ed · November 02, 2017


The latest financial picture for Iowa shows slow growth.
Here’s one way we can give our economy a boost: shop local!

Small businesses are central to Iowa’s economic vitality. Studies show that when you buy from an independent small business, far more money recirculates locally, building connections and prosperity that strengthen the entire community.

Travel Iowa is devoted to all things uniquely Iowa, and has great search tools to find activities, places and products that fit your schedule and interests. You’ll find special events like Sew Iowa, farm-to-table dinner experiences and local gifts.

The site’s Made in Iowa section showcases Iowa artists, craftspeople and homegrown, handmade items. It also highlights opportunities to be a maker yourself, through art classes, craft workshops, cooking and more.

If you know of something uniquely Iowa that should be featured on Travel Iowa, submit listings and events for inclusion on the site.

I’ll be pushing for more support for Iowa’s independent small business when I return to the Statehouse in January. The goal is to support businesses owned by Iowans and employing Iowans—people who are truly invested in their local communities and economy.

A good place to start is with an initiative I supported in 2015 to give Iowans seeking to sell products and services to the state the chance to match competing out-of-state bids for projects under $500,000, provided the Iowa firm is within 5 percent or $10,000 of the lowest bidder. That bill never made it to the Governor’s desk, but I’ll keep trying.



To contact Senator Dvorsky during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise he can be reached at home at 319-351-0988. E-mail him at bob.dvorsky@legis.iowa.gov.