AABP EP Awards 728x90

Economic Development

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Stocks up in March; majority of Iowa companies positive

Fourteen of the 18 Iowa-based companies on the Business Record’s Iowa Index posted stock price gains for the month of March. Eight companies posted double-digit percentage gains. Four Iowa-based stocks posted losses, with two being…
By JOHN RETZLAFF | Apr 13, 2021
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IEDA, secretary of state launch IASourceLink for new entrepreneurs

Beginning this month, every new business that completes its registration process with the state of Iowa will receive a new email or flyer directing them to IASourceLink.com, a free online resource through the Iowa Economic Development …
By BPC Staff | Apr 13, 2021
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Kemin expands portfolio with acquisition of food technology company

Des Moines-based Kemin Industries has acquired Proteus Industries Inc., a California-based food technology company, in a move that company officials say will expand its product offerings and production capabilities as it adds sustainable clean technology …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Apr 12, 2021
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Survey: Majority of small business owners favor vaccination; campaign urges engaging employees

A national survey of more than 3,300 small employers shows strong support for ensuring workers get vaccinated. The survey is part of a public awareness campaign led by Reimagine Main Street, a project of Public …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Apr 7, 2021
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Ames Chamber launches digital gift card program to infuse dollars into local businesses

The Ames Chamber of Commerce is offering a new Community Cash Program to help reinvest dollars into local businesses. Through the program, people can purchase digital and printable gift cards that can be used at …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Apr 6, 2021
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Optimism continues in Iowa Business Council Q1 economic outlook

Attracting and developing a talented and diverse workforce remains the No. 1 concern for Iowa businesses, according to the Iowa Business Council’s first-quarter Economic Outlook Survey released today.

Despite that concern, the survey showed continued …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Apr 6, 2021
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Despite lagging manufacturing jobs, wages, Iowa’s economy continued to expand in March

Iowa’s growing economy slowed in March as manufacturing jobs and wages remained below pre-pandemic levels, according to Creighton University’s Mid-American Business Conditions Index.

The index, released last week, showed that the index for Iowa declined to …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Apr 5, 2021
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SBA backs 35 loans for $15.7 million in Iowa during March

The U.S. Small Business Administration in March backed loans for eight Central Iowa businesses, for a collective total of more than $3.18 million in value. The companies receiving loans reported creating 22 jobs and retaining …
By JOE GARDYASZ | Apr 5, 2021
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Kessinger to step down as Capital Crossroads director, rejoin Weitz Co.

Capital Crossroads is searching for a new director after Emily Kessinger announced she is leaving the organization to join Weitz Co. as business development manager.

Kessinger has served as director of Capital Crossroads since January 2020. Her …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Apr 2, 2021
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Milken report shows D.M. drops on list of best-performing cities

Des Moines had the fifth-steepest decline in the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities list, in part because of slow wage growth in high-tech industries, an author of the report said.

The report, “Best-Performing Cities 2021: Foundation for …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Apr 1, 2021