In case you missed it…
A brief look back at news from the past week on BusinessRecord.com.

Retail plan for downtown
A new report that hopes to map out a future of retail growth in downtown Des Moines was released.
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Pallet shack’s end?
The Urban Loop development area in Urbandale is about to lose an eyesore and, maybe, the colorful character who ran a pallet business from the raggedy structure.
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Drake-area hotel plans
The Des Moines City Council has approved a preliminary development agreement for a $27 million hotel and retail project in a parking lot formerly owned by Drake University at 26th Street and University Avenue.
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EMC talks going private
Employers Mutual Casualty Co. announced that it has proposed acquiring all of the outstanding shares of common stock of EMC Insurance Group Inc. that EMCC does not already own for $30 per share in cash. 
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CFO of the Year voting
The Deloitte CFO of the Year award will serve to honor an individual for outstanding performance in their role as company financial steward. Nominations are due Dec. 21.
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