Officials with the Southwest Iowa Coalition (SWICO) say the public is welcome to participate in discussions during SWICO’s annual Legislative Forum. The forum takes place beginning at 5-p.m. on October 16th in Atlantic, at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club. State and federal candidates representing SWICO’s 16 county membership region in southwest Iowa have been invited to attend.

The members of the Southwest Iowa Coalition host an informal legislative forum each year to provide a venue for conversation with legislators about economic development policies that affect the region’s rural residents. The forum will begin with an opportunity for casual conversation over appetizers. Candidates will make individual addresses beginning at 5:30-PM. Following the legislative addresses, the SWICO board will share its Annual Agenda of Legislative Priorities for the upcoming session and moderate question and answers from the audience.

Southwest Iowa Coalition President Lee Weir, who will moderate the legislative session, says, “The
Coalition very much appreciates the willingness of Legislators to visit with us in our own environment because it adds a level of reality to the issues we face in rural Iowa.”

There is no cost but RSVP’s to the office are appreciated for planning purposes with regard to space
and refreshments. Call 712-309-2132 to reserve your place at the forum, or e-mail swico@swico.org.

Counties in SWICO’s membership area include: Adams, Adair, Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Pottawattamie, Fremont, Guthrie, Page, Mills, Montgomery, Ringgold, Shelby, Taylor and Union, but anyone interested in these types of events is encouraged to attend. More information about the Coalition can be viewed at www.swico.org.