-Submitted photo
Representatives of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, the city of Fort Dodge, Webster County and Iowa Central Community College spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, D.C., meeting with federal officials. The local delegation explained some of the community’s needs and learned about federal programs that could help. Astra Ferris, left, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, and Fort Dodge Mayor Dave Flattery, right, met with U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, during a reception in the nation’s capital.

-Submitted photo
During the visit, the local delegation met with Kelly Loeffler, the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. She is the highest ranking executive branch official that a local group has met with during the annual trips to Washington. Shown here are, from left, Webster County Supervisor Austin Hayek; Luke Hugghins, representing McClure Engineering Co.; Fort Dodge City Councilman Scott Davis; Fort Dodge Mayor Dave Flattery; Loeffler; Chad Schaeffer, chief development officer for the city of Fort Dodge; Jesse Ulrich, president of Iowa Central Community College; Jill Nelson, vice president of strategic initiatives for Iowa Central Community College; Vickie Reeck, representing Snyder & Associates; Fort Dodge City Councilwoman Megan Secor; and Astra Ferris, chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.