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Economic Development

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NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: How much will food prices rise in 2022? A lot, experts say.

Deviled eggs have become a stable at holiday gatherings in our family. This year, not surprisingly, the cost to make them was much higher than in previous years. Why? The price of mayonnaise was 25% …

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2021 Leaders’ Survey responses on affordable housing


The Business Record began releasing results from the 2021 Leaders’ Survey in its Nov. 26 print edition. The annual survey asks business leaders to share what they feel are some of the top issues affecting businesses in …

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Ames Economic Development Commission to conduct laborshed employment survey

The Ames Economic Development Commission is conducting a laborshed employment survey for Story and Boone counties to better define where the area’s workforce lives. The study, being done in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development and …

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Iowa GDP slows in Q3

Iowa’s gross domestic product grew by just 0.5% in the third quarter, a much slower rate of growth than in the second quarter when Iowa’s GDP grew by 7.7%, one of the strongest performances in …

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NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: The Santa Index, 2021

Here’s what I would term a “jolly” good read from the folks at insurance consumer guide Insure.com, who recently delivered their annual Santa Index to their readers. For a few ho-ho-hos, take a two-minute break …

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Iowa’s rural economy continues to expand with strong farmland prices

Iowa’s rural economy continued to grow in December behind continued strengthening in farmland values, according to a monthly survey of rural bankers.

According to the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index, Iowa’s index improved this month to …

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NOTEBOOK: Some labor shortage takeaways from a Newton job fair

The banner behind Firestone Agricultural Products’ display at the bustling job fair in Newton spoke volumes about the current job market: “$3,000 sign-on bonus in first year.”

“We can’t make enough [tires] right now,” said …

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Regional broadband survey identifies gaps in service, disparities between metro and rural areas

A study done on internet service in 11 Central Iowa counties shows that nearly half of those surveyed don’t have adequate upload and download speeds, according to a report released today by the Greater Des …

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Labor shortage issues top Business Council’s legislative agenda

The Iowa Business Council on Thursday released its agenda for the 2022 legislative session, focusing on issues IBC leaders say will help address the state’s ongoing labor shortage.

“We are facing the most acute worker shortage…
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Partnership announces Economic Impact Award winners, delays ceremony because of severe weather

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the winners of the 2021 Economic Impact Awards, which honor companies that had a significant influence on the local economy this year.

The companies were to have been recognized …