Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds visited several stops in western Iowa yesterday highlighting growth in rural areas and the boon agriculture provides. While in Templeton, Reynolds toured the barrel-aging facility at Templeton Rye. The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded the company $1.6 million dollars in tax credits last October to encourage the construction of a distillery which is projected to create nearly 30 jobs. Reynolds then stopped at the IKM-Manning FFA’s annual banquet. She says the skills learned through membership are invaluable.
Even if the students wind up with careers in other fields, having a background in agriculture creates a solid footing for their future.
She praised the IKM-Manning GALA’s efforts this week to raise more than $90,000 for STEM funding. According to Reynolds, this all points to a vibrant, growing economy.
Iowa’s most recent numbers had the state at 3.3 percent unemployment, one and a half points lower than the national rate of 4.8 percent
