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Economic Development

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Partnership promotes ‘Look Local First’

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is asking area businesses to shift 5 percent of spending to local vendors as part of a program called “Look Local First.” The Partnership reports that Greater Des Moines businesses …

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IWD now accepting unemployment claims through mobile devices

Iowa Workforce Development’s Unemployment Insurance Division announced that residents can now file weekly unemployment insurance claims using a mobile device. Recent system upgrades now allow Iowans to use a smartphone or tablet, in addition to …

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Tone’s Spices sold in $365 million deal

ACH Food Companies Inc., the parent company of Tone’s Spices in Ankeny, has sold its spice business to B&G Foods for $365 million in cash,  the Chicago Tribune reported.


The deal is expected to close…
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Greater D.M. economic growth slows to 2% in 2015

Real economic growth in Greater Des Moines increased by 2 percent in 2015 from the prior year, according to new data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. By comparison, year-over-year growth in the…
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State unemployment rate edges up to 4.2 percent

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.2 percent in August from 4.1 percent in July. The state’s jobless rate was 3.6 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.9 percent …

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IEDA backs $157M Grinnell project, Gravitate, others

The Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday backed several Central Iowa projects, including a massive overhaul of downtown Grinnell, the Grinnell College campus, and the gateway between the two.


The state agreed to provide $6.85…
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Recharging: Iowa Energy Center under review after director leaves

Iowa Energy Center operations are getting a full review with the help of outside experts after the center’s departing director blasted what he called interference from utilities and others when he tried to make changes …

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Rural Mainstreet Index falls for 13th straight month

Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index fell for the 13th straight month, though Iowa is faring better than the area as a whole. The overall index fell to 37.3 in September from 41.1 the month before. …

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Principal survey: Majority of small firms say they’re financially healthy

Small-business owners are feeling confident on a number of levels, according to results from the latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index — Business Owners report released today.


Ninety-four percent of small-business owners responding to the survey said their…
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Greater Des Moines exports dip for 2015

Exports by Greater Des Moines companies topped $1 billion for a fourth consecutive year in 2015, but dipped last year after three consecutive years of growth, according to figures released today by the U.S. Commerce…
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