Joe Hearn is the incoming board chairman elect of Greater Dubuque Development Corp. The president and CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union talked about how he was convinced to stay in the area after graduating from college. “The moral of the story is that economic development is not all on Rick Dickinson and his talented team. As business leaders, it is all of our responsibilities,” he said. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA REILLY

Tim Hodge, board chairman of Greater Dubuque Development Corp., also discussed workforce issues, including the need to increase new businesses. “What we need to do not only in the next year but in the next five will be hard, but we will do it because we care,” he said. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA REILLY

Tim Hodge (left), board chairman of Greater Dubuque Development Corp., speaks during the organization’s annual meeting at Steeple Square in Dubuque on Thursday, July 21, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA REILLY

Rick Dickinson, president and CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corp., said the 2027 capital campaign has reached its $11 million fundraising goal already. He also stressed the need to recruit workforce to the area. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA REILLY

People attend the Greater Dubuque Development Corp. annual meeting at Steeple Square in Dubuque on Thursday, July 21. Officials looked back at the past year and highlighted goals for the next five years. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA REILLY