Maureen Elbert, executive director of the Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation, has joined the Institute for Decision Making’s Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council’s role is to provide IDM with input on economic development trends, challenges and opportunities council members see Iowa communities and regions facing, and provide suggestions on how IDM might be able to better assist Iowa communities and regions, and the economic development organizations that serve them.

Advisory Council members are economic development thought leaders from across Iowa. Members include representatives from local and regional economic development groups (chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, Main Street programs, regional economic development organizations, council of governments, etc.), the rural electric cooperatives, the investor-owned utilities, community college officials, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Department of Education, and members of the Iowa Legislature.

IDM is the community and economic development arm of the University of Northern Iowa’s Business and Community Services. Since 1987, IDM has been delivering tailored, innovative community-wide planning, straightforward organizational planning, technical assistance, applied research, and training to Iowans concerned about their community’s economic vitality. IDM proudly serves more than 850 communities, non-profits and economic development groups throughout Iowa and around the country.