Will Washington Help or Hinder?
In Marshalltown, Iowa, the spirit of American entrepreneurship is alive and well. Residents have opened businesses, among them a grocery store offering fresh food that has created over 20 jobs. These establishments improve quality of life and boost the local economy. “These are people that we recognize from the community,” says Maria Gonzalez, a community organizer with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. “You go into the stores, they know who you are, and they ask, ‘How are the kids?’ You get that family feeling.”
People in Marshalltown are forging something special, but the crucial question looms: will Washington stand with them or will misguided policies get in the way?
Facing the storm
In 2020, a 99-mph windstorm tore through town. Gonzalez initiated a cleanup that quickly grew into a weeks-long, town-wide project. Neighbors showed up with chainsaws, passersby stopped to join, a devoted aunt cooked meals, and a wrestling team even volunteered one day.
But when a town faces destruction this massive, it needs higher-level support. They rallied to secure disaster recovery aid. These resources ensured that working families and small businesses had the necessary resources.
“The community decided to show up for each other. We have seen the good of the people of Marshalltown, and we want to keep going and growing,” Gonzalez recounts.
The federal government did its job, providing vital disaster recovery and partnering with area people so they can get back on their feet. Many new businesses now occupy storefronts rebuilt with these funds.
CRUEL POLICY HITS MARSHALLTOWN
In 2006, Marshalltown faced a different kind of crisis. The federal government conducted a massive immigration raid on employees at the town’s largest employer, a meatpacking plant.
Gonzalez was just 17 at the time. Federal authorities detained her mom, leaving Maria to take care of herself and her siblings. Eventually, they secured their mom’s release, but the scars remained.
“After the raid, we were so emotionally drained that it was hard to think or process anything,” she recalls. “My mom is here, but other people’s family members were deported. We felt a survivor’s guilt.”
This wasn’t just a hit to individual families; it torpedoed the town’s social fabric and economy. As then-Mayor Gene Beach put it, the disruption “set us back 10 years forming a real community.” Latino businesses saw sales plummet, and overall sales tax revenue declined. It’s a stark reminder of how federal policies can harm American communities.
CONTRASTING FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Larry Ginter, a family farmer and member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, called the raid a “huge tragedy.” It’s a cruel action that also hurts the economy. He stresses the vital link between farmers and the workers in nearby towns and cities. “It’s got to be affordable. You’ve got to have a living wage. The farmers got to have a good price. Otherwise, it’s not going to work.”
Today, 19 years after the raid, 5 years after the windstorm, Marshalltown has momentum. Immigrants who persevered through hardship now run businesses. People have come together to look out for each other and contribute to the economy.
Gonzalez affirms: “It’s the values of community and family and love. And that’s why I’m trying to stay here. We are Iowans.”
Marshalltown’s story presents a clear contrast of how federal policy can affect a community. Government can supercharge the hard work of people like Gonzalez, Ginter, and small business owners. Or it can cause immense disruption and send us backwards.