Congressional Staff Visit the Greater Dubuque Region

Kicking off on Wednesday, August 14 and concluding on Friday, August 16, 2024, Dubuque proudly hosted congressional staff members for an in-depth exploration of our community’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. This visit, coordinated with the collaboration of local partners, was a crucial step in ensuring that our region’s needs are effectively communicated to key federal policymakers.

The visit began on Wednesday evening with an opening reception at the “Rooftop at Roshek,” where local leaders, including Mayor Brad Cavanagh and Chad Wolbers, Board President of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests and set the stage for productive discussions. This event, hosted by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, offered an excellent opportunity to introduce the visitors to the Greater Dubuque region’s vibrant business and cultural environment.

Thursday's agenda was packed with tours and presentations, starting with a breakfast at the Dubuque Regional Airport. Hosted by the airport, the breakfast featured welcome remarks from Airport Director Todd Dalsing and an air service update from Molly Grover, President & CEO of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, and Jason White, Vice President of Business Services at Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. This session underscored the critical need for enhancing daily commercial air service, a vital factor for regional economic growth.

The day continued with visits to key projects across the city, including the Intermodal Transportation Center, Schmitt Island, the Dubuque Dream Center, and Voices Studio. Each stop highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, foster community development, and secure federal support for local initiatives. One of the notable stops was the Bright Minds Campus, where Dave Lyons, Strategic Initiatives Consultant for Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, provided an update on the innovative approaches to addressing the county's need for increased child care capacity and access by leveraging public/private partnerships and leading with collaboration to drive meaningful change in our region.

The day concluded with a dinner at Brazen Open Kitchen, hosted by Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. Rick Dickinson, President & CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, delivered welcome remarks, emphasizing the importance of continued federal partnership in supporting the Greater Dubuque region’s growth and prosperity. The dinner provided a relaxed yet impactful setting for further dialogue between congressional staff and local leaders, allowing for deeper discussions on the future of our region.

On Friday, the visit wrapped up with a breakfast at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, followed by a presentation at the Dubuque Museum of Art and a tour of Crescent Community Health Center. These final events highlighted the critical role of community foundations, quality of life amenities, and healthcare access in shaping the future of the Greater Dubuque region.

Hosting congressional staff in the Greater Dubuque region is a strategic effort to ensure that our regional priorities are clearly understood by those who influence federal policy. Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is proud to have played a central role in this visit as it does annually, particularly through our sponsorship of the dinner at Brazen Open Kitchen. This visit not only strengthened relationships with key decision-makers but also showcased the collaborative spirit that defines the Greater Dubuque region.

As we look ahead, the connections made and the issues discussed during this visit will serve as a foundation for ongoing advocacy and partnership, ensuring that our regional voice remains strong in Washington and that the Greater Dubuque region continues to thrive.