A Strategic Story: A Framework for Story County Economic Development

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Story County, Iowa, is a community looking to strategically align economic development and quality of life. Located just north of the state capital of Des Moines, the county has a long history dating back to the arrival of first railroads to the area in the late 19th century. More recently, the county has faced increasing pressure from development interests seeking to expand. This has caused some friction between these interests and some long-term residents who wish to keep much of the land outside the county's 15 towns and cities exclusively agricultural. As the county seeks to develop and expand its economic base, it needed to draft a plan that addressed both sides of this critical issue and they reached out to the CPAT program to assist with the process.

CPAT played an important role in fostering dialogues that allowed residents and key stakeholders to voice their hopes and concerns for the future of Story County. The team helped stakeholders determine what types of development will best serve residents' needs helped the county develop a comprehensive vision plan for development in Story County, including an implementation strategy that cultivates community participation and support. The team's report recommends strategic efforts and investments in four broad areas including: vision and long range planning; strategic partnerships and investments; trails, recreation, and other quality of life issues; and county planning organization.

Meet the Team

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Team Leader

Wayne Feiden, FAICP

Wayne Feiden has 30 years of planning experience. He led Northampton to the highest score in the Massachusetts scoring of municipal sustainability efforts and helped earn APA Great Streets recognition. Feiden also has a small consulting practice and serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts and Westfield State University. His publications include three APA Planning Advisory Service Reports, most recently Assessing Local Government Sustainability. Feiden has a BS in natural resources from the University of Michigan and a master's in city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina. His Eisenhower Fellowship to Hungary, Fulbright to South Africa, and Fulbright to New Zealand all focused on sustainability.

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Team Member

Deborah Meihoff, AICP

Deb Meihoff brings 18 years' experience with redevelopment and revitalization planning. Her consulting firm has completed more than 40 community development and redevelopment plans for local governments and developers around the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on neighborhood redevelopment, public/private partnerships, redevelopment financing, and public process. Prior to opening Communitas, Meihoff was project manager for the Portland Development Commission, Portland's economic development and redevelopment agency. She holds a master's in urban and regional planning from the University of New Orleans and a BA from the University of Colorado.

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Team Member

Cathie Pagano, AICP

Cathie Pagano is a Planner for Gunnison County, Colorado. She has more than 10 years of experience working at the local government level on rural and resort planning issues. She has worked on projects ranging from agricultural preservation initiatives to energy policy. Pagano has a master's degree from the University of Denver in environmental policy with a focus on energy and sustainability. She is a member of the Regional Energy Advisory Board, Gunnison County Land Preservation Board, and the Gunnison County Carbon Policy Task Force. Pagano also works as a correspondent for Planetizen.

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Team Member

Russell Soyring, AICP

Russell Soyring brings more than 30 years of experience in local government and regional planning. Most of that time he has served as planning director in Traverse City, helping earn that city APA Great Streets recognition and designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Soyring was past president of APA's Michigan Chapter, the Michigan Association of Planning, and continues to work outside of his community to address planning challenges. He holds a master's degree in regional planning from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's in resource development from Michigan State University.

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