We'll do our best on that score. While the new census numbers do show a slight gain for Iowa as a whole from 1990 to 2000, our gain trailed the rest of the nation and the average gain significantly. If we continue to lose our people, we clearly risk the quality of life here all so enjoy. This was another consistent theme in our feedback session. A Forest City grocer and a Main Street business owner were particularly interested in this topic, and for obvious reasons.
Competition is fine, they said, but a level playing field is essential, too.
In fairness, the Indianhead developers have maintained from the start they are not seeking taxpayer support for their project. Project opponents disagree with that contention. All three of these topics popped up several times, and again the discussion trail often led back to population concerns. So, the discussion was lively and rich and very much worthwhile. Our group was small in numbers but large in ambition and interest.