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Economic Development

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Study: Des Moines nurse practitioners rate high for wage growth

Des Moines area nurse practitioners’ wage growth in 2018 was among the highest in the nation, according to a new report by Doximity, a professional online network for healthcare professionals. Pay growth for nurse practitioners averaged 14 …

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SBA backed fewer loans in November

The U.S. Small Business Administration backed seven private loans for Central Iowa businesses in November, tying July’s total for the smallest batch of the year. 

The private loans were for a combined $2.06 million, the …

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Small-business optimism at 15-year high; taxes remain key issue

Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, with an overall index score of 129. That is 11 points higher than last quarter’s score of 118 and the highest in the survey’s 15-year history. The fourth quarter 2018 survey …

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China likely to buy more U.S. soybeans in January

China is likely to buy more U.S. soybeans beginning in January because South America doesn’t have enough to meet demand between seasons, Reuters reported. China had stepped back from the U.S. market after President Donald Trump …

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Iowa Leading Indicators Index decreases in October

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index decreased 0.2 percent to 108.2 in October, its first decline in the past six months, the Iowa Department of Revenue announced. The index, made up of eight leading indicators, had experienced five …

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Partnership releases state legislative agenda

The Greater Des Moines Partnership at a luncheon today released its platform for the next session of the Iowa Legislature. The biggest priorities feature some familiar topics. The full list of priorities is here.

The top …

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More updates on U.S. trade

There were a few developments over the weekend on the China-U.S. trade battle and other matters. Here’s a summary to catch you up on some details.

U.S. and China call truce in trade war
New …

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Dec. 18: Living Intentionally: How to Make This Your Best Year Yet

Host: Iowa Center for Economic Success
About: Learn a practical way to live intentionally and set your course for a thriving life, 31 days at a time. The session, led by Dorene MacVey, owner and coach …

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Des Moines metro unemployment drops below 2 percent

The Des Moines metro unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Des Moines-West Des Moines MSA had an unemployment rate of 1.9 …

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Survey: Small businesses feeling strain of tight workforce

Small businesses are feeling the strain of a tight labor market, according to results from a national survey released Wednesday. Nevertheless, small business owners’ optimism about the national economy is at an all-time high, according …