Retail and Business

MidAmerican Energy Co. ranked highest in the Midwest region for overall customer satisfaction among midsize businesses, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study.

The study evaluated more than 90 …

The Iowa Department of Economic Development has launched a new online resource aimed at helping small businesses find financial and technical resources.

The Iowa Small Business Assistance Gateway contains information on registrations, certifications, permits, plan …

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced they will launch a series of town hall meetings beginning Feb. 21, as part of their “Jobs for Iowa” tour.

“We have put forward bold, …

Deere & Co. this morning reported record first-quarter earnings of $514 million, or $1.20 per share, in its first fiscal quarter which ended Jan. 31, more than double the $243.2 million, or 57 cents per …

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI) is accepting nominations for its Distinguished Leadership Awards.

The awards recognize GDMLI alumni or current students who have made notable contributions in Greater Des Moines.

Nominations will be …

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino will recognize 205 Central Iowa community betterment projects it funded in fiscal year 2010 in a luncheon today at The Meadow Events Center.

 Through its Community Betterment Grant and Legacy …

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) for the fourth quarter of 2010 averaged 7.1 months, up from seven months in the third quarter.

The CBI was up 21.3 percent …

Cedar Rapids-based Howard R. Green Co., which has an office in Johnston, announced today that it will change its legal name to HR Green Inc., a commonly used company abbreviation. The company acquired firms in …

General Motors Co. will pay bonuses of at least $4,000 each to its factory workers, the largest bonuses the automaker has ever paid its blue-collar employees, CNNMoney.com reported. Before this, the biggest bonus GM paid …

The Farmers Insurance Group of Cos.’ 2010 survey listed Des Moines as the second-most secure large city.

The rankings look at crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, terrorist …