Local business and economic leaders are encouraged to participate in Monday morning’s USDA Rural Development roundtable in Knoxville. USDA Rural Development State Director Bill Menner will share his thoughts and the challenges and opportunities rural Iowa faces. Though 66 of the 99 counties in Iowa saw population declines in the past year, Marion County was able to be an exception to that trend. In the past 20 years, Marion County’s population grew 11 percent, making it one of the few rural Iowa counties whose growth is not a result of urban growth. The roundtable takes place from 8:30 to 10:00am at the Marion County Extension Office.