Awash in Opportunities : Gov. Branstad Visits L.A. to Promote Iowa Despite Flood Devastation

Santa Monica: Sunny and pleasant, cool breezes, 69 degrees.

Des Moines: Thunderstorms, broken levees, a muggy 74.

Though the current forecast for Iowa is dismal, Gov. Terry E. Branstad insisted in a visit to the Los Angeles area Thursday that his state is still a paradise for California businesses.

“Yes, we’ve been facing a terrible natural disaster, but that hasn’t prevented us from moving forward,” Branstad said before meeting with about 150 business leaders and Iowa college alumni to sell them on the virtues of his state.

Though several parts of Iowa remain several feet underwater, the governor decided to continue on his trip--his sixth to recruit California industry--because the situation back home had improved. Half of Des Moines had running water again Thursday; the rest is supposed to have it back today, he said.

“We recognize that there are some advantages Southern California has in terms of weather,” said Branstad. “(But) Iowa is a very pro-business state.”

In 10 1/2 years as governor, he has lured about a dozen Southern California businesses to Iowa.

Some--including Rockwell International, which has eight locations employing 9,400 Iowans--have made major investments in the state.

Both states have their share of nature-related woes, be they earthquakes or tornadoes, water shortages or floods. But when it comes to economics, Branstad’s pitch is this: Who wants to face California’s high workers compensation costs and high cost of living?

Iowa, he says, offers tax abatements, attractive loans and dedicated people; the state’s primary and secondary education system, ranked highest in the country, speaks for itself, he adds.

Beyond defending Southern California’s culture and marketplace, Roy Remy--president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce--could not help noting that Branstad’s trip could have been better timed.

“I think he’s making progress with the marine industry,” Remy quipped.