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Economic Development

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Kunert to chair Partnership; ’19 goals unveiled

MidAmerican Energy Co. exec Kathryn Kunert took over as chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership board Thursday as the Partnership releases its priorities for 2019.


Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group chairman, president and CEO, …

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Durham take over IFA, Kramer named director of cultural affairs

Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will also run the Iowa Finance Authority as part of a new dual appointment, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced today. 

Durham’s selection was one of a handful that also …

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China to negotiate in ‘good faith’

China’s Foreign Ministry said today it plans “good faith” negotiations with the United States on ending a long-running trade dispute, Reuters reported. Talks are being held this week in Beijing. U.S. President Donald Trump and China …

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Iowa’s migration shifts from outbound to balanced

After experiencing a net outflow of people for three consecutive years, Iowa’s in-migration rate is again keeping pace with people leaving the state, according to an annual analysis by Atlas Van Lines. Iowa was among …

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Goss: Iowa’s job market leads Midwest

A regional survey found Iowa’s job market has been the strongest among nine Midwestern states over the past year, the Associated Press reported. 

Iowa’s overall reading in Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 53.5 …

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Iowa Business Council bullish on ‘19

Two-thirds of Iowa Business Council members expect higher sales in the next six months, the organization reported based on its quarterly survey.

Sixty percent said they expect to add workforce. Half plan higher capital spending. …

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Lely to create North American headquarters in Pella

Lely North America sought $724,900 in state tax credits as the company plans a new, 150,000-square-foot facility in Pella to house the Lely Group’s North American headquarters. The expansion will allow products manufactured in Europe …

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Sammons asks state board to hold off on development incentives; Ankeny projects with potential for 500 jobs get IEDA approval

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board granted tax incentives to two Ankeny projects that could generate 500 jobs, but deferred action on plans by Sammons Financial Group to expand in West Des Moines after the …

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Iowa unemployment rate held steady last month at 2.4%

Iowa’s seasonally unemployment rate remained at 2.4 percent in November, Iowa Workforce Development said. The state’s jobless rate was 2.9 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent last month. The …

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Iowa rural index rises

Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index for Iowa rose to 53.7 in December from 48.7 the month before. Anything above 50 suggests growth. The state’s farmland price index was unchanged at 35.6. The new-hiring index fell …