h digitalfootprint web 728x90

Economic Development

DSC 6869

Iowa unemployment rate drops to 2.4 percent

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent in October, only the fifth time since record-keeping started in 1976 that the monthly rate has been that low. The U.S. rate was 3.7 percent. The …

DSC 6869

Retail plan for downtown Des Moines

In a city bent on taking its visions of the future and turning them into something tangible, a new report that hopes to map out a future of retail growth in downtown Des Moines was …

DSC 6869

Rural Iowa growth dips, ekes out 0.1 percent game in jobs

The latest Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for Iowa in November fell to 48.7 percent — below the growth level — from October’s 53.5. 

Anything above 50 is considered a sign of growth. The overall …

DSC 6869

SBA backs $6.8 million in Central Iowa loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration backed 16 private loans to Central Iowa businesses in October, the second-highest total this year next to May’s 17.

The businesses that took out loans approved by the SBA in …

DSC 6869

10,000 Small Businesses seeks applicants for second cohort

Iowa small-business owners who are looking for ways to broaden their operations will want to consider a new training program being offered by Iowa’s community colleges, in conjunction with one of the largest U.S. financial…
DSC 6869

Events to introduce employers, job seekers to registered apprenticeships

IowaWORKS Centers across the state will hold events for employers and job seekers as part of Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week Nov. 12-18. Among the events in Greater Des Moines will be “Narrowing the …

DSC 6869

Index of Iowa economic growth rounds to zero for 6th straight month

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index increased to 108.4 in September from a revised 108.3 in August, according to a release from the Iowa Department of Revenue. Despite the increase in the level of the index, …

DSC 6869

Creighton: Iowa business conditions index falls

Creighton University’s survey of supply managers and business leaders found that Iowa’s overall business conditions index fell to 51.8 in October from 59.4 in September. Anything over 50 suggests growth. The index was over 50 …

DSC 6869

Apple in Waukee the topic for ICREA

Dan Dutcher, community and economic development director for the city of Waukee, will talk about the Apple Inc. project when the Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association meets at 7:15 a.m. Thursday at Des Moines Golf …

DSC 6869

Sam Hoyle to leave Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is seeking a vice president of communications after Media Relations Manager Sam Hoyle announced plans to launch his own business venture. Hoyle joined the Partnership in 2017 after working as a media …