SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad set out some hefty goals for the state when he took office.
How's the state doing in reaching its goals for job creation, education, and health?
Those were also the focus of the Siouxland Initiative breakfast Friday morning.
Business, county, and city leaders gathered Friday morning for the meeting.
Debi Durham, the director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, outlined the state's plan to reach the state's goals in these areas.
Governor Terry Branstad promised to create 200,000 new jobs in the state. Durham says the slow economy slowed job growth, and the state lost 100,000 jobs.
She says not only have they now recouped those jobs, but added 20,000 more.
She says they're on track to meet the goal of 200,000 jobs.
"Are we making good traction? Are we moving ahead? and more importantly are we creating an economic model that is actually sustainable regardless and I think the answer is 'yes' to that," Debi Durham, the director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority said.
Durham also touched on the state's education goal.
She says the STEM initiative is a big part of the state's education plan.
"That is getting an incredible amount of traction, quite frankly with parents so you're seeing a lot of initiative that's being pushed that way also so I think we are making good strides on that front as well," Durham said.
As for the state's goal to be the healthiest state in the nation, she says Iowa has already moved up in the rankings.
"Regardless of what goal it is we are really making measurable steps forward towards that goal," Durham said.
Durham also talked taxes and said that's one of the biggest hold-ups in economic growth for the state.
She says the weather, workforce, and the federal government are also holding the state back from growing.
Debi Durham address the crowd gathered for the Siouxland Initiative breakfast.
