Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg met with several Washington-area community leaders Thursday afternoon.

The two officials met with Mayor Jaron Rosien and a room of other locals at the Washington Public Library as part of Reynolds’ 99-county tour, and she emphasized the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, “Moving forward when we took a look at what the economic recovery advisory board recommended, and how I thought we could really set Iowa on a path for economic prosperity for years to come. I said, “This is a time to tackle some really big issues that are foundational for our growth.’ And that is investing in broadband, childcare, housing, while continuing our focus on healthcare, workforce training, education reform, and of course agriculture.”

Washington County Hospital and Clinics CEO Todd Patterson, Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, Washington Community Schools Superintendent Willie Stone, Kalona Cooperative Technology Company General Manager Casey Peck, and Washington County District 5 Supervisor Richard Young all asked Reynolds questions about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, broadband expansion, state Senate and House education funding proposals for this year, and mental health.