The city of Ankeny is launching a new Web site, AnkenyProspector, today allowing powerful business information to be accessed from personal computers.

The Web site, www.ankenyprospector.com, is an online program designed to attract and expand businesses and jobs in Ankeny. One goal of the new program is to simplify the process of working with city government when making relocation and expansion decisions.

AnkenyProspector uses Internet GIS mapping, allowing site visitors to easily and quickly view maps and reports. This speeds up and simplifies the process of business attraction and site selection for expanding and relocating businesses. Real estate listings are free on AnkenyProspector.

“AnkenyProspector provides immediate access to critical business and development information needed to facilitate business growth in Ankeny,” Mayor Steven Van Oort said. “It sends a clear message to potential business locators that Ankeny is open and ready for business.”

This week in the Business Record: Updating a one-time ‘Building of the Decade’



Principal Financial Group Inc.’s pilot workstations of the future initiative is making space available for new hires, and current employees benefit from the improvements as well.

“Principal is a progressive company; the workspaces should also be progressive,” said Rhonda Clark-Leyda, Principal’s media relations officer for corporate communications.

A plan to hire 1,500 new employees over the next five years spurred structural, design and aesthetic changes to not only accommodate the new workers, but also create a better overall environment.