"I invite any business located in Indiana looking for a more welcoming community to take a look at Iowa"

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on companies in Indiana, or businesses who were looking to move to Indiana, to take a look at basing their companies in Iowa. Loebsack noted Iowa's history of leading the fight for increased civil rights, whether it is based on race, gender or sexual orientation. Nearly six years ago, Iowa became the third state in the nation to grant marriage equality for everyone and has prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and education since 2007. 

 

"Iowa has long been on the forefront of expanding civil rights, not denying them. It was disheartening to see Indiana Governor Pence sign into law a piece of legislation that could lead to businesses being allowed to discriminate against the LGBT community. This type of action should not be allowed in today's society. I invite any business located in Indiana looking for a more welcoming community to take a look at Iowa. We have some of the best schools in the nation, many hardworking men and women, and an attitude known as 'Iowa Nice.' Iowans welcome anyone to live, work and raise a family in our great state."

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(Des Moines, Iowa) - The Iowa Finance Authority today recognized the top Iowa lenders from throughout the state for their efforts in advancing affordable homeownership through the Iowa Finance Authority's programs in calendar year 2014.

The Iowa Finance Authority offers affordable mortgage and down payment assistance programs for eligible home buyers through a network of Participating Lenders throughout the state. In 2014, local lenders assisted a total of more than 1,500 Iowans to purchase a home using Iowa Finance Authority programs which offer affordable mortgages as well as grants to cover down payment and closing costs. Through its partnership with Participating Lenders, the Iowa Finance Authority invested over $143 million in affordable mortgages for Iowans in 2014.

In addition, the Iowa Finance Authority jointly administers the Military Homeownership Assistance Program with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. This program offers eligible service members and veterans a $5,000 down payment assistance grant. More information about these programs is available atIowaFinanceAuthority.gov.

"The Iowa Finance Authority's partnerships with lenders throughout the state means that Iowans can benefit from both the convenience of working with their local lender and access to Iowa Finance Authority's unique homeownership programs," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison.  "I thank our lender partners recognized today for their shared dedication to connecting Iowans with affordable homeownership opportunities."

2014 Lender Awards

TOP LENDER

•  ·          Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation (IBMC), statewide   

 o    300 home buyers assisted  

 o    $24.8 million in loans  

 

GOLD - $15 million or more in loan volume

• ·         Wells Fargo, statewide

o   167 home buyers assisted

o   $15.9 million in loans

SILVER - $8 million or more in loan volume

• ·         US Bank, statewide

o   92 home buyers assisted

o   $8.7 million in loans

• ·         First American Bank, Clive

o   76 home buyers assisted

o   $8.4 million in loans

BRONZE - $5 million or more in loan volume

• ·         Great Western Bank, Ames

o   66 home buyers assisted

o   $6.8 million in loans 

• ·         American National Bank, Council Bluffs

o   58 home buyers assisted

o   $5 million in loans

GOOD SAMARITAN AWARDS   
The Iowa Finance Authority strives to provide excellent customer service to Iowa home buyers. The lenders receiving Good Samaritan awards went the extra mile in 2014 to assist home buyers.

• ·         Cindy Bednarczyk of Bank Iowa, Newton
• ·         Becky Trotter of Boone Bank & Trust, Boone

The Iowa Legislature created the Iowa Finance Authority, the state's housing finance agency, in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low- and moderate-income Iowans. Since then, the Iowa Finance Authority's role has grown to include nearly 40 affordable housing, water quality and agricultural development programs. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting public agency.

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ANKENY, Iowa--FFA members across Iowa will be celebrating success when they gather for the 87th Iowa FFA
Leadership Conference on April 19-21 at Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa FFA 
State Leadership Conference is the 5th largest of its kind in the National FFA Organization.
"Go All Out", the theme for this year's convention, is geared toward supreme dedication to leadership, growth, 
and success. It also seeks to challenge FFA members to think about how they can "Go All Out" in everything 
that they do.
The annual conference will provide agricultural education students the opportunity to participate in Career 
Development Event competitions, be recognized for accomplishments in events during the past year, become 
inspired by motivational speakers, interact with college and business professionals, and develop leadership 
skills. Chapter delegates and Iowa FFA Officers will also conduct the annual business session to make 
decisions for the student-run Iowa FFA Association. Students will also be engaged in a service project with 
Meals from the Heartland with a goal of packaging their one-millionth meal since beginning this partnership in 
2012.
Several exciting guests will be present at the 2015 Iowa FFA Leadership Conference. These include keynote 
speakers Dr. William Keim of Oregon State University, motivational speaker and Founder of The Character 
Institute; and Kyle Scheele, a professional youth speaker. National FFA Southern Region Vice President 
Stephen McBride will also address the conference.
The Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference is possible with support from the following partners of the Iowa 
FFA Foundation: Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Farm Credit Services of 
America, Des Moines Area Community College, and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

^{Original works by local high school students now due April 10th}  

^{Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that high school students in the Iowa's Second Congressional District may now submit their original artwork to be considered for the 2015 Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition is hosted by the United States House of Representatives to recognize talented young artists from across the nation. The winning student from each district is invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception held in their honor and will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Due to local schools schedules, the deadline for entries to be received has been extended to April 10th.}  

^{"The vast amount of talent that Iowa's students display year after year continues to amaze me. The creativity of our talented young artists demonstrates that the arts are thriving in Iowa," said Loebsack. "For a young artist, having your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol is quite a remarkable accomplishment. I look forward to seeing this year's entries and meeting the winning student."}

^{Once again, to make the contest as easy as possible and open to as many students as possible, this year's winner will be chosen by the public through an online vote. Details on how to submit art work are available by clicking here to visit Loebsack's website. All entries must be received no later than Friday, April, 10th at 11:59pm. The artist of the winning piece will receive two round trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the reception and unveiling of their artwork in the Capitol (all other expenses must be covered by the winner). For additional details about the competition, students or teachers should contact Jared Mullendore at 563-323-5988 or by email at Jared.Mullendore@mail.house.gov.}

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