ECIA is a focal point for economic development in the region because it was designated as a Regional Economic Development District in 1978 by the US Department of Commerce and the Governor of Iowa. ECIA assists local governments and development groups provide financial assistance to expanding businesses through E.C.I.A. Business Growth, Inc.
In 2005, the Iowa Department of Economic Development awarded ECIA a grant to help fund a collaborative marketing campaign and from that, Prosperity Eastern Iowa was born. The goal of Prosperity is to increase and expand the economic segments and share expertise, support services, experiences, and projects that will empower each individual entity with the strength of the partners as a whole.
