(ABC 6 News) – Business and community leaders from north Iowa spent the day at the Capitol in Des Moines for “North Iowa day on the hill” with the goal to connect and share their legislative priorities with lawmakers.

Economic development seemed to be the main topic discussed, but concerns were also shared about the region’s tourism, taxes, education and workforce development.

The delegation included representatives from the local governments and chambers of commerce in Mason City and Clear Lake, along with Cerro Gordo County Public Health, Mason City school district, the North Iowa Corridor economic development, and others.

“We just want to highlight all the positive things that are happening in north Iowa,” said Clear Lake Chamber president Stacey Doughan.

“As a region, we’re strong. We’ve seen a ton of economic development. We see a ton of private investments. Our cities are taking bold, progressive steps forward.”

Thanks to a state tourism grant passed session, funds were disbursed to revitalize the historic Surf Ballroom district in Clear Lake and expand the North Iowa bike trail system to the tune of $4.5 million.

Other programs that the Mason City Chamber listed as important to regional success were home rehabilitation block grants, downtown housing grants, and the housing tax credit program.

Esdaka Soukon, who is a pastor and community leader in mason city’s Micronesian immigrant community, says the shortage of affordable housing and difficulty in overcoming the language barrier were two of the main reasons he was advocating at the Capitol.

“(I’m seeking to) connecting my community to hospitals,” Soukon said, ” …to help them with their insurance, help them with WIC, train them how to understand the culture here in the United States, and to help them change their mindset into understanding how to live out here.”

Several attending today, including representatives of the Mason City Chamber and the Cerro Gordo board of supervisors, voiced their opposition to a recent rate hike request from utility provider Alliant Energy.

The chamber’s legislative priorities for this year included support for carbon pipeline development to bolster the ethanol industry, as well as retaining community control over the local hotel/motel tax rate, tax increment financing, and local option sales and service taxes.

The overall theme of the day was to demonstrate what north Iowans are doing right, and what the region needs to thrive.