Iowa Lakes Corridor Awards First Homegrown Talent Grants to Taylor Krager and Callan Townsend

Workforce recruitment in the Corridor typically means attracting new faces to Northwest Iowa, but the Homegrown Talent Initiative focuses on bringing locals back home.
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Last year, the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation launched the Homegrown Talent Initiative to bring graduates and skilled professionals back to Clay, Dickinson, Buena Vista, and Emmet counties. The program provides $6,000 grants paid over four years to individuals who grew up in the region, completed post-secondary education, and secured employment back home.
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Curt Strouth, President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, emphasized the broader value. “When we invest in people who already have a connection here, we increase the likelihood they build careers, families, and community leadership roles in the Corridor.”
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The first two recipients, Taylor Krager and Callan Townsend, represent the type of long-term workforce investment the region seeks. Both left to pursue education and career experience.

Both chose to return.

Recipients Return With Purpose

Taylor Krager grew up in Peterson and attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. She now works at Farm Credit Services of America and lives near Storm Lake. Her decision to remain in the region reflects long-standing ties.
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“I have never really left,” Krager said. “That’s just kind of always been a thought of mine, like a lot of family and friends, the support in the area, the small community feel, I’ve just always loved that, and I just kind of knew I never wanted to leave.”
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Callan Townsend graduated from Spirit Lake High School, earned her nursing degree in Waterloo at Allen College, and worked in Sioux Falls before returning. She now serves as an OR nurse in Spencer and lives in Spirit Lake. Her move centered on long-term stability.
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“I really have come to appreciate that small-town feel and safety,” Townsend said. “The options available for kids and kids' activities are plentiful; you just don’t know where to start. There are a lot of great things to do here, especially for young families.”
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Both recipients are using the grant for student loan repayment. The program allows funds for student debt, mortgage reimbursement, or child care expenses. These costs often shape early career decisions.

Initiative Targets Workforce Retention

The Homegrown Talent Initiative responds to a clear workforce pattern. Employers report higher retention among candidates with local ties. Recruiting former residents increases the likelihood of long-term employment and community involvement.
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Trevor Smith, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, said the program aligns with employer feedback. “As a workforce recruitment initiative, it’s something that’s really important to our organization, and we are hoping to expand it in the future.”
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The selection committee reviewed 21 applicants and interviewed six finalists. Community involvement and long-term intent weighed heavily in the decision process.

Recipients Plan Long-term Engagement

Both recipients plan to remain active in their communities.
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Krager volunteers through her employer and local organizations. She sees service as a continuation of what she experienced growing up. “Farm Credit encourages volunteering in the community, and that support is amazing,” she said. “I am always looking for opportunities to give back to those kids I work with, since there was someone like me now when I was a kid to help me out.”
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Townsend and her husband recently purchased an acreage near Spirit Lake. She plans to support local businesses and volunteer with animal-focused organizations. She also identified future retail gaps, including demand for sustainable and organic food options.
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The initiative has already expanded. Our golf tournament fundraising event generated enough support to award four grants next year, one in each county. Applications for 2026 are closed, but we are gearing up for the 3rd Annual Homegrown Talent Initiative Golf Tournament on July 24, 2026, at Buena Vista Golf Course at Lake Creek, hoping to raise even more money than last year.
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Smith said workforce incentives remain a priority. “When we talk to employers, the toughest thing to find is somebody who has a connection back home,” he said. “If they have that connection, they’re far more likely to stay long term. That’s why we are prioritizing workforce incentives like this.”
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The Homegrown Talent Initiative creates a clear return path for skilled graduates, with the first recipients showing promising early progress.
Register for the 2026 Golf Tournament Today
Do you want to get in on the action to help increase workforce attraction in the Corridor? Register for the 3rd Annual Homegrown Talent Initiative Golf Tournament on July 24, 2026, at Buena Vista Golf Course at Lake Creek today.
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Support local talent. Learn more about the Homegrown Talent Initiative and connect with future recipients at upcoming Corridor events.