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Durham to moderate ABI manufacturing conference panel Oct. 14

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry will host its annual Iowa Manufacturing Conference on Oct. 14 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. The one-day conference will feature a keynote speaker, business leader panel and workshops. The annual CEO survey published by ABI this summer informed the topics of the event, from navigating uncertainty and embracing emerging technologies…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 11, 2025

United Way of Central Iowa 2025 Day of Action supports 50 service projects

United Way of Central Iowa held its annual Day of Action on Tuesday, where more than 800 volunteers worked on nearly 50 service projects supporting 17 local organizations in Central Iowa. Volunteers helped with projects such as reading with elementary students, revitalizing nonprofit facilities and enhancing outdoor spaces. The collective effort generated an estimated economic impact…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 11, 2025

Iowa economy holds while job trends, tax receipts lag in Leading Indicators Index

Iowa’s economy continues to expand, but inconsistent job growth, weak diesel consumption and manufacturing orders have dampened the Iowa Department of Revenue’s Iowa Leading Indicators Index for July. For the month, the index declined slightly but remained at 107.5 in July due to rounding from June. The monthly diffusion index decreased to 43.8 in July from…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 11, 2025

A changing of the guard in Central Iowa

A changing of the guard is underway in Central Iowa — and it’s happening at a record pace. Some in the business community may have detected the recent increase in retirements of long-time leaders and the variety of other departures, new hires and newly created roles across the region. A recent review of Business Record…

By Sarah Diehn | Sep 11, 2025

Baker Group announces leadership changes

Joel Veenstra has been named president of Baker Group, a full-service specialty contractor headquartered in Ankeny. Veenstra will replace Doug Kumm, who is retiring after 36 years with the company. Kumm became Baker Group’s president in December 2021. Kumm’s “expertise, dedication and steady leadership have left a lasting mark on both the organization and the broader industry,” according…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 10, 2025

Iron, steel prices up 9.2% year-over-year from tariffs

Construction input prices increased 0.2% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.2% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 2.3% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 10, 2025

Three honored with Iowa Women of Achievement Awards

Women Lead Change has announced Mary Armbrecht, Susan Clark and Ann Hutchinson as recipients of the 2025 Iowa Women of Achievement Award, which honors historical Iowa women for their significant and lasting contributions. Armbrecht was the state’s first sworn female police officer and detective, Clark paved the way for school desegregation in Iowa through a…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 10, 2025

Iowa Clinic and MercyOne form agreements to partner on local cancer care

The Iowa Clinic and MercyOne have announced a partnership that aims to expand access to cancer care in Central Iowa. Under the agreement, the Iowa Clinic’s recently expanded team of board-certified hematology oncology physicians will provide medical oncology services and inpatient consultations at MercyOne’s Richard Deming Cancer Center. Additionally, the Iowa Clinic will use radiation…

By Business Record Staff | Sep 10, 2025

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