SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard may be competitive in most situations, but all three recognize that one of the greatest challenges facing their respective states is workforce recruitment.

While border states compete for business, these three states have joined forces in the tri-state metro region known as Siouxland to address workforce recruitment. All three states rank in the top 10 for the lowest unemployment numbers in the country. Nebraska and South Dakota are tied for second at 3.6 percent and Iowa ranks ninth at 4.6 percent.

"The Siouxland economy is strong,” said Barbara Sloniker of The Siouxland Initiative. “Good jobs are available and quality of life amenities are plentiful. We need to let the rest of the country know about the excellent opportunities in the tri-state area."

These three states, according to Slonkier, have a history of cooperation on regional economic development issues as evidenced by the three Governors coming together for the Tri-State Governors' Conference every two years. During these conferences, the Governors discuss regional issues such as economic development, infrastructure improvements, health care, and workforce readiness.

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