Community & Economic Development

Iowa State University ranks as one of the most successful universities nationwide in several categories of technology transfer and economic development. The impact of the University’s programs can be clearly seen throughout the entire state, in all 99 counties. The University collaborates with and offers assistance to

• Individuals through a variety of on- and off-campus workforce development programs, often in collaboration with the community college system,

• Families through health and prevention-related Extension programs, as well as educational and financial advice,

• Communities through Extension community development programs that include long-term planning, zoning, traffic issues, assistance for utilities, community surveys and facilitation, and collaboration with chambers of commerce and economic development agencies,

• School districts and area education agencies, specifically in the area of science and technology education,

• Professional organizations, such as the Iowa Business Council and the Professional Developers of Iowa,

• Existing companies through technical and business assistance, as well as licensing of newly developed technologies,

• Startup companies through licensing, business assistance, and business incubators,

• Commodity groups and industry groups such as the BIOWA Development Association,

• Iowa Departments of Economic Development, Education, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and Public Safety.

Many community and economic development activities are conducted collaboratively with the other Regents’ institutions and the statewide system of community colleges. Research conducted at Iowa State affects national and international constituencies, thus expanding the impact of the institution’s work well beyond its geographic boundaries.

Excellent research and scholarship are the basis for excellent economic development programs. This does not mean that every faculty and scientific staff member is or should be involved in outreach activities, or even every center or department. What is important is that a university has in place cross-cutting structures (bridges) that can relate even very theoretical discoveries to possible practical applications. At Iowa State, departments, colleges, and interdisciplinary centers often play the role of constructing these bridges, and sometimes research and extension-based faculty groups achieve the same goal. This requires that the institution have promotion and tenure guidelines as well as an incentive system in place that supports efforts in "science with practice." The ISU P&T system, including the role of the position responsibility statement, is described in the section on "Promotion and Tenure Policy."

The following sections describe how Iowa State enhances community and economic development. Specifically, the way that the University listens to constituents, including people in Iowa, across the U.S. and around the world, is described. In addition, these sections explain how the Economic Development Council and economic development and technology transfer teams demonstrate the capacity and the commitment of the institution to meet constituents’ needs. A description of key organizational changes, adjustments, and future initiatives illustrates the institution’s responsiveness to constituents’ needs. Lastly, a list of measurable achievements in community and economic development provides evidence of valued services.