On a hot summer day in Iowa, it’s easy to find bicyclists buzzing along trails and paddlers floating down rivers and lakes. Many of these bicyclists, paddlers and anglers contribute to the local economy by visiting shops to buy gear before a ride, gassing up their car or relaxing at a restaurant or brewery.

Iowa’s recreational trails are more than a fun attraction, they’re economic engines.

Iowa state and business leaders are hoping that these bicycle and water trails will prove to be harbingers of growth and economic development, similar to cranes and skyscrapers.

Iowa Confluence Water Trails, launched in 2021 as a public-private partnership, is developing 80 improvements along 150 miles of rivers and creeks statewide.

To read the full article, visit the Business Record.