The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Partner State Program newsletter highlights Iowa’s eight international partnerships. With support from the Iowa International Center, these relationships strengthen global connections through cultural exchange, government collaboration and economic development.
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Iowa establishes new partnership with Maharashtra, India
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Gov. Kim Reynolds’ recent trade and investment missions to India identified strong connections between Iowa and the state of Maharashtra, leading to a formal partnership during her return visit a few months ago. On September 12 in Mumbai, the two states signed a memorandum of understanding to expand collaboration in education, business, agriculture, workforce training and other key sectors.
A Maharashtra Committee is now forming. Volunteer committees help plan and carry out projects with Iowa’s global partners. Interested in joining? Complete our interest form. If you’ve already submitted the form, email partnerstateprogram@iowaeda.com.
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Iowa-Yucatán: 60 years of partnership
This fall, Iowa marked 60 years of partnership with the state of Yucatán, Mexico. Iowans gathered in November at the Partners of the Americas Iowa Chapter annual meeting to reflect on decades of collaboration in agriculture, education, youth exchanges, public health, community development, arts and more.
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The relationship began through President John F. Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress, later evolving into Partners of the Americas. The Iowa Chapter launched on September 24, 1965, when a group of business and civic leaders met with Gov. Harold Hughes. The Yucatán Peninsula was selected as Iowa’s partner in part because the region’s henequen, used for baler twine, played a key role in Iowa’s agricultural economy. Over time, Iowans’ connections have naturally centered on the state of Yucatán.
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Ames marks partnership with
Podujevë, Kosovo
On October 16, the Ames International Partner Cities Association (AIPCA) celebrated the city’s new partnership with Podujevë, Kosovo. The agreement, signed in June in Podujevë, is Ames’ second international partnership and Iowa’s ninth connection with Kosovo. Attendees included Ames Mayor John Haila, Kosovo Consulate Chief of Mission Drilon Zogaj, AIPCA President Karla Weilbrenner McCollum and retired Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr. Collaboration will focus on agricultural research, student exchanges and business development.
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Looking to expand trade or investment through partner state connections? The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) can help.
Interested in doing business with a partner state? Email us.
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Elevating Cultural Ties Between Iowa and Maharashtra State, India*
4 p.m. December 15 | Online
The Iowa International Center invites Iowans interested in Maharashtra and India to join a virtual meeting about the new Iowa-Maharashtra Committee. Hear an overview of the Partner State Program, learn ways to get involved and connect with others across Iowa who share this interest.
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New Year’s Eve bell ringing*
8:30 a.m. December 31 | Iowa Capitol Grounds — Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship
Join us as we ring in the new year at midnight Japanese time (9 a.m. CST). This tradition honors the 65-year friendship between Iowa and Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, symbolized by the Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship gifted to Iowa in 1962 following the historic Hog Lift.
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Governor hosts first Diwali celebration at Terrace Hill
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring October 21 as the first celebration of Diwali at Terrace Hill. The Hindu festival of lights featured Indian music, dance and cuisine at an event coordinated by the governor’s office in collaboration with the Iowa Economic Development Authority — underscoring Iowa’s commitment to meaningful cultural exchange and global connectivity.
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The celebration highlighted Iowa’s growing ties to India. It offered an enlightening introduction for Iowans new to the holiday and a meaningful moment for Iowans of Indian heritage. Iowa’s memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra was also on display, emphasizing the state’s expanding partnership with India, home to the largest population of Hindus who celebrate Diwali.
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Japan-Iowa Symposium*
The Partner State Program’s Yamanashi Committee hosted the first Japan-Iowa Symposium on October 10 in Des Moines. Community, education, business and government leaders gathered to explore current initiatives and new opportunities to strengthen connections with Japan.
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Masashi Mizobuchi, consul general of Japan in Chicago, shared congratulatory remarks: “The bond between Yamanashi and Iowa is both historic and enduring. … This extraordinary act of generosity [the 1959 Hog Lift] became a lasting symbol of friendship and solidarity — one that continues to inspire us sixty-five years later.”
The Yamanashi prefectural government also expressed appreciation, emphasizing Iowa’s importance as its earliest and one of its most significant international partners: “We firmly believe that deepening mutual understanding and nurturing a spirit of coexistence … will play an ever more important role in the years ahead.”
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Cranes of Friendship at
the Iowa State Fair
More than 3,000 colorful paper cranes — folded by Iowans and friends in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan — decorated the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines in August as a symbol of peace and friendship. The project, led by the Japan America Society of Iowa, also invited fairgoers to fold cranes and learn about the Iowa–Yamanashi partnership. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Masashi Mizobuchi, consul general of Japan in Chicago, visited the exhibit during the consul general’s first trip to Iowa.
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Credit: Iowa State Fair - Matthew Putney
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If you have events, stories or photos related to Iowa’s partner states, we’d love to hear from you! Submit them via this form; if you experience access issues or would like to share physical items, email us at partnerstateprogram@iowaeda.com.
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*Events related to this project are officially hosted in whole or in part under the Partner State Program, planned by our committees and open to all Iowans. Join the community.
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