One of the most remarkable developments in American education in the past half century has been the creation and rapid growth of the nation's community colleges. Built on the curricular pillars of vocational education, transfer programs, and community education, community colleges today are considered the "engines of statewide economic growth" (Prince 2006, 4). Evolving from adult vocational programs and junior colleges operated by local school districts, today's community colleges in Iowa comprise the fastest growing sector of public post-secondary education. The historic development and evolution of Iowa's community colleges stretches from their beginnings as vocational institutions and junior colleges to their current form as comprehensive community colleges. The ability of Iowa's community colleges to advocate and lobby on a statewide basis and to develop and support a common state legislative agenda is the result of their formation and the growth of two voluntary organizations: the Iowa Association of Community College Presidents and the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. These two organizations worked together with the local communities, business and industry leaders, legislators and the Governor, to advance a common agenda during a time of regional and state economic crisis. The development of Iowa community colleges thus depended upon: (a) connection of workforce and economic development to college evolution; (b) importance of local governance and state coordination; and (c) specific legislative initiatives and state policies that enabled the colleges growth. These efforts resulted in some of the most progressive state public policy regarding community colleges and economic development, and the "nations first customized job-training program to be funded through bond sales rather than through state appropriations" (Prince 2006, 22).