AABP EP Awards 728x90

Economic Development

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Iowa’s unemployment rate drops to 3.6%

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November was 3.6%, a slight drop from October’s rate of 3.7%, Iowa Workforce Development announced today. A year ago, the state’s jobless rate was 2.8%. The number of unemployed …
By BPC Staff | Dec 18, 2020
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United Way study: Iowa’s low-income families hardest hit by pandemic

Low-income families in Iowa have suffered disproportionately in their ability to pay for basic essentials during the pandemic, according to a new report released by United Ways of Iowa. 

More than half of the low-income …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Dec 17, 2020
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Iowa Business Council releases agenda for 2021 Legislature

The Iowa Business Council today released its legislative agenda for 2021, focusing on child care, broadband, housing and competitive tax policy for the session that is scheduled to convene on Jan. 11. 

Business Council President …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Dec 17, 2020
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Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium seeks input on project through Dec. 23

The Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium is asking for help to guide the vision of the transformational community project looking to connect Iowa with its river roots. Leadership has opened a survey for community feedback on …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Dec 16, 2020
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Employment growth likely to continue to weaken, but rate may slow, Leading Indicators Index reports

October marks the first month since February 2020 that the Iowa Leading Indicators Index has not shown recessionary signals. However, the October report suggests that employment growth will continue to weaken over the next three …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Dec 14, 2020
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Wells Fargo economists foresee healthy recovery for U.S. in second half of 2021

A return to normal from the coronavirus pandemic remains the biggest known wild card for both the U.S. and global economies, and the pace of the pending vaccine rollout could accelerate or put the brakes …
By BPC Staff | Dec 14, 2020
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Panelists speculate on future of office space during discussion about downtown Des Moines

An outdoor entertainment arena that would include a stadium for soccer and other events could be located on the former Dico Inc. site that has been unused for 25 years. Photo by Duane Tinkey

It may…
By KATHY A. BOLTEN | Dec 11, 2020
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Lawmakers discuss Partnership priorities as 2021 session nears

Lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds may have to find common ground on issues such as the Invest in Iowa Act if they are to make progress when the Legislature resumes in 2021, leaders said Thursday …
By MICHAEL CRUMB | Dec 11, 2020
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Urbandale chamber launches 401(k) program for member companies

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce has launched the Urbandale Chamber Member 401(k) Retirement Program. The new program is designed to save local businesses time and money in the administration of a 401(k) program for their …
By BPC Staff | Dec 10, 2020
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Associated General Contractors sue SBA, OMB over PPP questionnaire

The Associated General Contractors of America, which represents more than 27,000 construction firms, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to compel the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of Management and Budget to revise the questionnaire being …
By BPC Staff | Dec 9, 2020