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Economic Development

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Iowa leads nation in use of special tax districts for development

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa is the most prolific user in the nation of tax increment financing to spark economic development but is “modest” in borrowing against the proceeds, according to a new national report. Iowa …

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IBC survey: Iowa economy best in 10 years

The Iowa Business Council’s quarterly survey of its members found the highest overall index in a decade. 

The capital spending index also was the highest in 10 years.

The results show optimism about the Iowa economy, …

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Poll: Most Iowans blame employers who hire undocumented immigrants, not the workers

Des Moines Register: Iowans place more blame on employers who hire undocumented immigrants than on the workers, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. The poll shows 63 percent of Iowans blame employers who …

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NOTEBOOK: “There is something special about Des Moines.”

Data-cruncher and strategic planner James Chung, who appears as part of the Tomorrow Plan Speaker Series Oct. 4, marvels over how Greater Des Moines stands out by almost any measure his staff uses to compare …

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Partnership panel: Finding workers, plugging family budget gap

The Greater Des Moines Partnership gathered three local workforce authorities this morning to discuss barriers to employment.
Along the way, panelists discussed the need for state legislation to plug a gap that occurs when low-wage…
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ISU Research Park receives $1.7 million federal grant for infrastructure expansion

Iowa State University Research Park has received a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to accommodate infrastructure improvements for Deere & Co.’s new manufacturing test lab facility, which the company announced in May. The …

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Iowa’s unemployment rate drops to 2.5 percent

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.5 percent in August, lower than the state’s rate one year ago, 3 percent, and lower than the U.S. unemployment rate this year, 3.9 percent, the Iowa Workforce Development …

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Latest headlines in ongoing trade dispute

It can be daunting to keep track of what the latest news is out of the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. We’ve compiled a list of stories that look at the most recent moves in this …

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Iowa City hopes for $15 minimum wage for city employees in three years

Iowa City Press-Citizen: City employees in Iowa City will all make $15 or more an hour by July of 2021 if City Council members get their wish and the budget can handle it. The Council Tuesday …

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Cherokee site certified, 21st in the state

The Iowa Economic Development Authority has certified a development site in Cherokee, the 21st the state has declared project-ready through the Iowa Certified Site Program. “Having a certified site is about creating a competitive advantage,” …

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