This week, the Association of Business and Industry is hosting its annual conference in Davenport at the River Center. Governor Kim Reynolds spoke briefly about the state's policy to make Iowa more business-friendly.
"We're thankful for Governor Reynolds. She has attended, I believe, every conference since she has been governor," Kelsey O'Connor, Marketing and Communications Director at ABI, said.
According to O'Connor, under 500 attendees are visiting the Quad Cities this week to network and enjoy workshops on various topics, including cybersecurity and crisis communication.
Governor Reynolds spoke Wednesday morning as the guest speaker introducing the conference's mainstage guest, Lisa France Kennedy, the Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR.
Reynolds touted the state's recent alignment bills for making Iowa more efficient for businesses and saving Iowans millions of dollars.
"We've moved permitting, building code standards, and safety inspections into a single front door," Governor Reynolds said. "We've consolidated our IT department with the Department of Management, achieving an annual savings of $4.5 million dollars. And I can tell you without hesitation that that's conservative.
One of the main state changes Reynolds claims will save Iowa money is the recent law creating a 3.8% flat income tax, which goes into effect in January 2025.
Governor Reynolds told attendees about the individual income tax: "We'll go from the sixth highest in the nation to the sixth lowest."
The ABI attendees applauded when the governor mentioned Iowa has passed five tax reform bills over the last few years.
The governor also highlighted the consolidation of 13 mental health and 19 substance abuse networks into seven districts.
The governor did not allow for press questions. WVIK contacted her office regarding the speech and comment on the John Deere layoffs at three Iowa facilities.
In an email Thursday, Governor Reynolds says, “I’m in touch with John Deere about the layoffs. John Deere has always been an important employer and iconic brand in Iowa, and we remain committed to their business in our state.”
