Recently, the Washington Economic Development Group partnered with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center to bring Washington County employers together for an Employer Listening Session. 

IWD shared information about programs, tools, and resources. Businesses doing the hiring also shared their input. Employers talked candidly about challenges to filling open positions, barriers to creating meaningful apprenticeship opportunities, and other issues that can make it easier, or harder, to grow a business. Local unemployment data from IWD states that Washington saw a dip in their unemployment rates in August. Washington County sits at 2.5 percent, down from 2.7 percent in July. 

These conversations are a part of what WEDGs strategic plan to strengthen the local economy by providing businesses with the support, resources, and connections they need to thrive. 

WEDG is a local, public‒private partnership, non‒profit organization formed in 1986, and was formed to provide leadership and direction to enhance economic development efforts for the benefit of Washington County.