A new bill before the Legislature aims to designate Coos County as a “distressed place-based economy.” Sponsored by State Senator David Rochefort, the initiative seeks to help the county recover from the loss of the paper industry and other economic challenges.

Iowa experienced significant population growth from 2023 to 2024, primarily driven by international immigration, according to recent U.S. Census data. As young residents continue to leave, newcomers from abroad are revitalizing communities and filling workforce gaps across the state.