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Economic Development

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Rural economy at 5-year low, Iowa’s China exports decline 81% year over year

Seven out of 10 bankers agree with the approach President Donald Trump is taking toward trade with China, while the rural economy has hit a five-year low. Those are the results of the latest Rural …

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Financial experts give thumbs up to 2026 economic outlook at WDM luncheon

Audience members and panelists give their prediction for the 2026 economy at the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast luncheon on Oct. 9. Photo by Gigi Wood

There is a lot to be positive …

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Operation Downtown conducting survey on downtown perceptions

Operation Downtown, which manages safety, cleaning and maintenance services in downtown Des Moines, is conducting an online survey to gather feedback on how the area is performing and perceptions about downtown Des Moines. Participants are …

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Iowa Leading Indicators Index points to employment growth in August

The Iowa Department of Revenue has released a summary of its latest Iowa Leading Indicators Index, which is an analysis of several economic indicators for the state.

Simple takeaways include:

Manufacturers and trucking companies are…
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Iowa ag department awards grants for 48 Iowa biodiesel projects

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program board has awarded 48 grants totaling over $1.86 million to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects in 25 counties, according to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. The grants …

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Local experts have differing views of Iowa’s job market

Since August 2024, Iowa’s total nonfarm employment has shrunk by 2,300 workers and its unemployment rate has seen a slight increase. And while some sectors are laying off workers, others can’t find enough to fill …

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‘Silver tsunami’ of upcoming small business retirements has advocates paying attention to succession planning

Olivia Randall and her husband, Josh Randall, are already preparing their children for potential business ownership as they look to the future of their Mount Vernon clothing business, Bauman’s

They plan to position the more …

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State awards $2.3M in energy grants

The Iowa Energy Center board on Tuesday awarded $2.3 million to eight projects through its grant program.

The competitive grant opportunity, funded by gas and electric utilities across the state, supports projects that could provide a …

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IBC forecast on par with historical average

Iowa companies plan to build, spend and hire – eventually, at least – despite unfavorable business conditions, putting the Iowa Business Council third quarter survey results on par with historical averages.

The IBC today released its third …

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Iowa manufacturing exports down 9.2%, $900M for year

For the second time in the past three months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, an economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, sank below growth neutral.

The Business Conditions …