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Economic Development

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Branstad claims 200,000-job goal met; critics claim he’s cooking the books

Gov. Terry Branstad claims he’s met his goal of 200,000 newly created jobs in Iowa, but critics say he’s using creative accounting, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development, claimed in a …

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Business leaders more optimistic about state economy, but less so than this time last year

The level of optimism among state business leaders is edging up but still lags the enthusiasm they expressed last year.

The Iowa Business Council said today that its index of business leaders’ sentiments for the…
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A Closer Look: Robert Warren

If you meet the new executive director of Hoyt Sherman Place and want to engage him in conversation, it won’t be a difficult task. 

You can talk sports. He’s a runner, swimmer, triathlon participant and …

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Raise the minimum wage?

The momentum toward raising the legal minimum wage is causing fewer Iowa retailers to lose sleep than one might expect.

Iowa is among a minority of U.S. states that have not raised their local legal …

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Event Jan. 27: Iowa Caucus Consortium CEO roundtable

The Iowa Caucus Consortium plans a CEO roundtable Jan. 27 at which business leaders will discuss issues of importance to them and their businesses that could be affected by the political world. The event will …

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EFCO to receive state tax credits for $11 million expansion

EFCO Corp.,a Des Moines-based manufacturer of concrete forms and support systems, will receive nearly $1.3 million in state tax credits for a planned $11.3 million expansion that will result in 40 new jobs, with 88 …

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McClure Engineering to merge with Red Oak rail specialists

McClure Engineering Co. of Clive has signed a definitive agreement to merge with JFSCO Engineering of Red Oak, according to a release. With the merger, McClure will add rail design and terminal transloading facility design …

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IEDA assists EFCO, Men’s Style Lab

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board on Friday approved nearly $12 million in aid to Iowa businesses Friday, including the expanding concrete form company EFCO Corp. and Men’s Style Lab Inc., both of Des Moines.…
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Iowa’s unemployment rate falls slightly

Iowa’s unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 3.5 percent in October, down slightly from 3.6 percent the month before. A year ago, the rate stood at 4.3 percent. The national unemployment rate was 5…
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Mainstreet Index: Iowa sees weaker hiring, farmland prices

Here are some key findings from the 100-point-scale Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for November: The Iowa index fell to 44.3 from October’s 46.9. Iowa’s farmland price index dropped to 28.6 from 42.5. New hiring also was…