A $167.5 million investment by the state Vision Iowa program will help build six new convention centers across the state as Iowa tries to provide more opportunities for in-state travelers and out-of-state visitors.

There’s some evidence that Iowa is becoming an increasingly popular site for trade associations to hold their annual meetings. The Center for Exhibition Research recently said Des Moines ranked 21st among North American cities in its ability to attract conventions, placing it ahead of better-known destinations such as No. 22 Los Angeles, No. 23 Phoenix, No. 24 Philadelphia and No. 25 Reno.

Iowa Department of Economic Development Director C.J. Niles said Des Moines, which hosted 152 conventions in 2001, is becoming an increasingly popular destination because it’s easy to navigate. “Transportation, logistics, flight schedules and that whole nightmare show Des Moines a great alternative,” she said.

Last week, for example, the National Rural TeleCongress Conference held last week at the Hotel Fort Des Moines drew about 250 participants. “Once they come and have a great experience, that feeds into other national organizations they may be a part of,” Niles said.

Until Vision Iowa began investing in convention centers across the state, only a handful of Iowa cities had facilities large enough to accommodate regional and national conventions. So far, the Vision Iowa board, which also makes grants under the state’s Community Attractions and Tourism program, has invested in six convention centers. They include:

o Park View Inn and Suite and Convention Center in West Bend, currently open. The CAT program awarded $250,000 toward the $2 million project.

o Mid-America Recreation and Convention Complex in Council Bluffs, opening later this year. Vision Iowa invested $31 million in the $150 million project.

o Rivers Edge in Sioux City, opening in 2005. Vision Iowa invested $40 million in the $84 million project.

o Capital City Vision Project in Des Moines, opening in 2005. Vision Iowa invested $75 million in the $223 million project.

o America’s River at the Port in Dubuque, opening later this year. Vision Iowa invested $40 million in the $178 million project.

o Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids, currently open. The CAT program awarded $250,000 toward the project.

Though they were in the planning stages before the post-Sept. 11 “nesting of America,” the convention centers and other attractions built with Vision Iowa and CAT grants respond to trend among Americans to spend their vacations closer to home, Niles said. The projects also dovetail with a goal to make Iowa more attractive to young people.

“It speaks to young people, but also speaks to a self-confidence and awareness of the great aspects of the state,” said Vision Iowa Chairman Michael Gartner. “I used to say you had to move outside of Iowa to realize what a great place it is; now, you just have to keep your eyes open when you walk down the street to realize what a great place it is.”

The projects herald good economic news for Iowa, Niles said, citing statistics showing that every dollar spent turns over five to seven times. They also are sparking other investments. A brew pub and at least one new restaurant are planned in Dubuque, where the America’s River at the Port project includes a Mississippi River Discovery Center, the Mississippi River National Education and Conference Center, a riverwalk and associated amenities, and the Riverfront Hotel and Indoor Waterpark.

“Dubuque is a different city today than what it was two years ago, and the stuff isn’t even done yet,” Gartner said.

The Vision Iowa board has adopted strict standards on financing to help ensure the projects’ success long into the future. “We carefully analyze the finances and capabilities of all parties in the deal,” Gartner said. “In some cases, we require an endowment fund to underwrite operating losses for the first two years. We do our best to make sure we’re building structures and venues that will be successful long into the future and they will be launched successfully.”

Gartner said the board has worked diligently to spread the Vision Iowa and CAT money evenly around the state so all regions will get an equal share of tourism and economic impact. The board doesn’t fully fund projects, but requires that public-private partnerships be developed before Vision Iowa will participate.

He said local governments aren’t as strapped for cash as some Iowans believe. About one-third of them have no bonded debt, and debt limits in Iowa are only 5 percent of assessed value. Some local governments in the state have statutorily pushed their debt limits even lower.

“There’s lots of money around the state, lots of borrowing capacity and municipal utilities have huge amounts of cash,” Gartner said. “You have to spend to grow. I’m not saying to go on wild-eyed spending binges – you have to spend wisely – but there’s no better time than right now.”