Job cuts increased by 20 percent in February

Employers announced more job cuts in February than in the same month last year, led by a surge at government agencies.

Nationwide, planned firings increased 20 percent to 50,702 last month from February 2010, the …

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Sorensen named chairman of Principal International

As part of its planned succession process, Principal Financial Group Inc. announced that Norman Sorensen, formerly president of Principal International Inc., has been named chairman of Principal International. Luis Valdes, formerly president of Principal International Latin …

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Indianola voters approve wellness center

Indianola voters yesterday approved the city’s proposed wellness and recreation center project, with 77 percent voting in favor of a $12.5 million bond issue needed to move forward with the project, the Indianola Record-Herald reported. …

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Survey: 46 percent unaware of payroll tax break

Many Americans are unaware of the reduction in Social Security payroll taxes that’s increasing their take-home pay this year, according to a survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). Nearly half of the …

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Brown, Hellickson to co-chair Heart Walk

The Des Moines chapter of the American Heart Association has announced its executive leadership team for the 2011 Start! Heart Walk to be held June 18 at the state Capitol. Ed Brown, CEO of the …

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AIA Iowa elects board members

The Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Iowa) has elected its 2011 board of directors, which includes three local architects. William Anderson, an architect at Neumann Monson Architects P.C., will serve as …

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Signed Lease Transactions (Week of Feb. 27)

Lemon Tree Frozen Yogurt has leased 1,580 square feet of retail space at 1805 S.E. Delaware Ave. in Ankeny. The tenant was represented by Dave Mercer of Iowa Realty Commercial. The landlord, Metro North/Ankeny Center …

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Church proposes 51,000 s.f. facility in Urbandale

New Hope Assembly of God plans to construct a 50,948-square-foot church building on 7.95 acres at 4425 70th St. in Urbandale. The proposed two-story building, which would supplement the organization’s existing facility at 6800 Townsend …

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