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Economic Development

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Ottumwa property receives ‘certified site’ designation

The Helgerson Flats Industrial Center in Ottumwa is the latest industrial site to achieve certification through the Iowa Certified Site Program, the Iowa Economic Development Authority said. The 80-acre property is zoned for industrial use …

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Waukee council approves $87 million budget

The Waukee City Council approved an $86.8 million budget Monday for fiscal 2020, which begins July 1, that maintains the current property tax levy at $13.40 per $1,000 of taxable valuation and provides $26.7 million …

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Iowa’s business condition index rises

Iowa’s Mid-American Business Conditions index rose to 56.9 in February from 54.8 in January, Creighton University reported. Anything over 50 suggests growth. New orders were at 55.5; production or sales, 52.2; delivery lead time, 50.9; …

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IEDA sets workshops for Main Street Iowa program

The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Main Street Iowa program will host regional workshops in April for communities interested in applying for Main Street Iowa program designation in 2019. Communities wanting to apply for the designation …

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U.S. wins WTO case against China on grain prices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that a World Trade Organization panel found that China skewed commodities trading by providing excessive government support to grain producers. 

China’s market price support policy artificially raises Chinese prices …

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Merle Hay Mall acquires shuttered Younkers store with a debt to Polk County

Using a $1.5 million loan from Polk County, the owners of Merle Hay Mall have bought the abandoned Younkers department store from a liquidation company.

The purchase price was $1.5 million, according to Polk County …

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Business leaders sign Iowa Compact on Immigration

Iowa business leaders including the Greater Des Moines Partnership today pushed for “smart immigration policies” that would drive the economy.

The Iowa Compact on Immigration was endorsed by more than 40 signatories. The compact calls for common-sense policies …

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IowaWORKS office opens in Ames

Iowa Workforce Development announced it has opened an IowaWORKS office in Ames, co-located with the Iowa Department of Transportation office at 903 Lincoln Way. “With workforce attraction a focus of Story County, having an IowaWORKS office locally …

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Software startup plans 300 new Central Iowa jobs, many of which pay above $100,000

Des Moines Register: Vertex Software plans to add 300 new jobs in Ames as it launches its core cloud-based product for manufacturers later this year. Vertex plans to invest more than $32 million in Ames, according …

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Rural Mainstreet Index dips to nearly neutral range

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for February fell but remained slightly above growth-neutral, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. 

The …