AABP EP Awards 728x90

Retail and Business

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Manitowoc Co. to purchase Aspen Equipment for $51 million

The Manitowoc Co., a leading global manufacturer of cranes and lifting equipment based in Milwaukee, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of Aspen Equipment Co., a Bloomington, Minn.-based …
By BPC Staff | Aug 17, 2021
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Guest opinion: One young professional perspective on return-to-office and hybrid workplaces

Submitted by Gregory Lin

Confused. Relieved. Micro-managed. Excited. Anxious. Indifferent. Ready. These are descriptors young professionals provided when I asked how they feel about returning to the office. 

In a recent survey of over 3,600 …
By BPC Staff | Aug 16, 2021
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Goodwill of Central Iowa increases hourly wages for store workers

Goodwill of Central Iowa announced that its retail store workers’ wages will be increased to up to $15 hourly, effective this week. The wage adjustment will benefit 75% of the organization’s current employees, with some receiving …
By BPC Staff | Aug 12, 2021
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Blazing Saddle to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test for entry

Des Moines Register: Starting Friday, customers entering the venerable East Village bar Blazing Saddle will be required to show proof they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they’ve tested negative for the virus in the …
By BPC Staff | Aug 12, 2021
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SBA announces plan to open supplemental shuttered venue grants

The U.S. Small Business Administration is announcing a call to all eligible Shuttered Venue Operators Grant applicants seeking economic aid for live entertainment small businesses, nonprofits and venues. New applications will be accepted until 10 …
By BPC Staff | Aug 11, 2021
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NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Here’s your fast-food meal ? on a tray

Shortages of packaging supplies like paper to-go bags are causing headaches for fast-food restaurants. McDonald’s Corp. recently told its restaurant owner to limit orders of bags from suppliers, reports Heather Haddon for the Wall Street Journal. Orders …
By KATHY A. BOLTEN | Aug 11, 2021
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Employee retention tax credit could be worth a second look this year for businesses

Iowa employers may want to take a second look with their tax adviser at whether their business might qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit in 2021, says Terry Merfeld, a tax partner with Eide …
By JOE GARDYASZ | Aug 10, 2021
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NOTEBOOK: How can businesses support tech students graduating in Iowa?

“We did some research with our college students and we realized that out of the kids we interviewed — about 20 — only two four-year college seniors had potential job offers,” said Pi515 founder and …
By KATE HAYDEN | Aug 10, 2021
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Story City Market closure among trend of rural market loss to chains

Des Moines Register: Story City is soon to lose its local grocery store, a business venture that left the owners with a sour taste about the industry and another example of the trend of local markets …
By BPC Staff | Aug 9, 2021
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Survey to gather information on small business recovery from pandemic

Small businesses and community organizations are being asked to complete a survey to help create a better understanding of their challenges as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is a collaboration of Iowa …
By BPC Staff | Aug 9, 2021