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Economic Development

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Principal Financial index inches up, outlook worsens

Image courtesy of Principal Financial

The results from Principal Financial Group’s latest Financial Well-Being Index released this week show U.S. business confidence remained near historic survey lows, increasing slightly to 6.80 out of 10 in …

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Iowa exports decline 10.8% YoY

Iowa exports are down year over year, according to the latest Mid-America Business Conditions Index.

The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, climbed to 50.5 from 49.4 …

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Elements of new tax credit law incentivizes startup growth, rural startups, officials say

A new tax credit law that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed on June 6 creates a $110 million cap on business development incentives and will encourage investments in startups and rural startup growth, officials say.…

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Six companies receive Economic Impact Awards

The Greater Des Moines Partnership will honor six companies during the annual Economic Impact Awards, held during the 2025 Regional Summit on Sept. 17 at the Iowa Events Center.

Now in its 43rd year, the awards recognize …

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Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet Index drops 14.2 points

Image courtesy of Creighton University

The Rural Mainstreet Index for August fell for the 10-state Midwest region and lowered significantly in Iowa. Iowa’s exports, however, were up.

For the overall region, the index fell to …

June jobless rates map

Interactive map shows July jobless rates of Iowa communities

Adair, Carroll, Osceola, Sioux and Taylor counties have the lowest jobless rates among Iowa’s 99 counties with 2.8% of workers unemployed, new data from Iowa Workforce Development shows.

Among Iowa cities, the Carroll micropolitan statistical …

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Education leaders discuss Iowa’s career readiness gaps

Local education stakeholders discussed how to better connect students with career opportunities in Iowa at the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s recent August luncheon.

Meredith Murphy, the chamber’s director of future workforce, led the …

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BioConnect Iowa CEO announces retirement

Steve Brody, president and CEO of BioConnect Iowa, announced Friday he will retire. He will remain involved during the transition period until a successor is appointed. BioConnect Iowa is the state’s public-private partnership for economic …

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IEDA supports $65M Mount Pleasant manufacturing expansion, new Keosauqua sports amenities

The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved awards for a manufacturing expansion in Mount Pleasant and a quality of life project in Keosauqua. At its meeting Friday, the IEDA board also awarded a grant for …

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JBS plans to buy new equipment, redesign Ankeny plant

JBS USA will purchase new equipment for a production facility it plans to buy in Ankeny and redesign and expand some areas of the plant, a company spokesman told the Business Record.

“The facility previously …