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Economic Development

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Central Iowa Works releases retail analysis report

Central Iowa Works, an initiative of United Way of of Central Iowa, on Thursday released results of a study identifying the “pain points” that Greater Des Moines’ retail and service industry employers face in finding …

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Get some dam information

A group of supporters led by the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has set a couple of meetings to provide information on plans for area water trails. An engineering study has wrapped up, setting …

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July 9-Aug. 27: DreamBuilders Live!

Host: Iowa Center for Economic Success
About: The business plan. Writing one can be intimidating. You’re juggling market research with competitor analysis, financial projections with marketing strategies. With so much to consider and organize, it’s easy to …

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Report: Foreign direct investment down 23 percent globally in 2017

Global foreign direct investment flows fell by 23 percent in 2017, to $1.43 trillion from $1.87 trillion in 2016, according to the World Investment Report 2018 released Wednesday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. …

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Trade score: Biofuels win, China offers $70B, Mexico fights back


In the space of a day, Reuters pushed stories on three big developments in the world of international trade and the closer-to-home ethanol vs. oil spat.

Here’s what’s up: 

President Donald Trump has indefinitely delayed a…
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SBA-backed loans picked up in May

The U.S. Small Business Administration backed 17 private loans for businesses in Central Iowa in May, the most in a single month this year.

The loans totaled $4.5 million and were for businesses in an …

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Iowa economic indicators were flat in April; 6-month trend is skidding

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index in April remained unchanged from March at 108.5, following the first two consecutive negative signals since July 2016. However, with four of the eight components contributing positively, up from three …

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Tariff trouble continues: Mexico takes aim at U.S. pork industry

The news hit the Clive office of the Iowa Pork Producers Association before 9 a.m.

CEO Pat McGonegle broke the news to association spokesman Ron Birkenholz. Colleagues in Washington, D.C., had heard that Mexico planned …

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CIRAS to merge with Iowa Lean Consortium

Two Ames-based business resources will be merging to serve the Iowa business community. The Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) and Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) will merge effective July 2, CIRAS announced …

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June 1: First Friday Series: Featuring Claudia Schabel of Schabel Solutions

Host: Iowa Center for Economic Success
About: On the first Friday of every month, join us to hear the savvy, successful business owners and entrepreneurs of Des Moines share their story. In a laid-back environment, …