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Economic Development

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Principal survey highlights greater COVID impact on businesses in rural communities

The prolonged economic impacts of COVID-19 have been wearing on small and medium-sized businesses, as owners report more uncertainty about when and how they may recover, according to a new report from Principal Financial Group. …
By BPC Staff | Jan 21, 2021
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SBA: 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loans approved in initial week

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Tuesday that it approved approximately 60,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan applications submitted by nearly 3,000 lenders, for over $5 billion, in the first week that it was reopened, Jan. 11-17. The …
By BPC Staff | Jan 20, 2021
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What is the most important thing businesses should know about the economy in 2021?

Although 2020 is now mercifully in the rearview mirror, pivotal events that erupted over the past year are continuing to shape the state, national and global economic destiny. Accordingly, the Business Record anticipates a virtual …
By JOE GARDYASZ | Jan 20, 2021
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Proposed rule would give faith-based organizations access to SBA loan programs

The U.S. Small Business Administration is proposing a rule that would give faith-based businesses and organizations access to SBA business loan and disaster assistance programs. The SBA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule, which would …
By BPC Staff | Jan 20, 2021
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Iowa AgriTech Accelerator announces dissolution

Five years after launch, the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator is dissolving, Executive Director Nadilia Gomez announced in a statement sent to the Business Record this afternoon. 

The governing board cited the emergence of new, regional entrepreneurial …
By KATE HAYDEN | Jan 15, 2021
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SBA announces further PPP loan reopening dates, with a head start for smaller lenders

The application window for Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans will open on Friday for lenders with $1 billion or less in assets, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Treasury Department announced Wednesday. Beginning Friday at 8 a.m. …
By BPC Staff | Jan 14, 2021
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Iowa unemployment filings climb for fourth straight week

The number of Iowans filing weekly unemployment claims jumped to 57,089 last week, a nearly 12% increase from the previous week, according to data released today by Iowa Workforce Development.

It is the fourth consecutive …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Jan 14, 2021
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Partnership outlines 2021 priorities during annual kickoff

The innovation that occurred in 2020 as the community faced challenges from the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice movements will continue into 2021 as Central Iowa begins work on a new five-year vision plan, leaders …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Jan 14, 2021
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Employment growth to continue, Leading Indicators Index shows

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index increased to 103.8 in November 2020 from 103.5 in October, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue. November is the fourth month that the index has increased since the COVID-19 …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Jan 12, 2021
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IWD provides update on extended federal unemployment benefits

Iowa Workforce Development released guidance today for several federal unemployment assistance programs that were extended recently by Congress. As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law on Dec. 27, Congress reauthorized and extended the Pandemic …
By BPC Staff | Jan 11, 2021