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January/February 2003

Iowa Governor Appoints New
Economic Development Director

 With economic growth as the focus of his second term, Governor Tom Vilsack has appointed Michael T. Blouin as the new director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). His charge from the governor is to energize Iowa's economy with higher-paying jobs and business start-ups.

"From Mike Blouin's work in the Statehouse, at the U.S. Capitol and on Main Street, he knows Iowa's success depends upon our ability to take bold steps to get our state's economy moving," said Vilsack.

Blouin, a former U.S. Representative, recently served as President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, where he oversaw almost $1 billion of local economic growth. Construction projects currently underway include the new Iowa Events Center, Iowa's largest shopping mall, and a new MidAmerican Energy power plant. In addition, Wells Fargo Financial and Allied Insurance are building new corporate headquarters in downtown Des Moines.

Blouin served as president of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s.