A group representing the interests of local businesses was in Washington DC last week to speak with Iowa Legislators. Members of the Pella Area Development Corporation, or PADCO make the annual trip to stay engaged with our leaders at the Federal level. Karen Eischen, Director of the Pella Chamber of Commerce, says the goal of this year’s trip was a little different than in year’s past. She says the group was not lobbying for funding or help with any specific project. Instead, the conferences were intended to communicate some regulatory concerns including effects of the health care bill and some Environmental Protection Agency mandates. Eischen says they received positive feedback from both Senators Harkin and Grassley and Representative Leonard Boswell, and is looking forward to seeing some of the ideas that come from the meetings.