The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a design pubic hearing on Feb. 25 in Martensdale to discuss a proposed North River mitigation site south of Norwalk. The land is to be used to fulfill wetland mitigation needs for several projects in Polk and Warren counties. The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Martensdale-St. Mary’s Community School library, 390 Burlington Ave. For more information, go to www.news.iowadot.gov.

Iowa Realty inc. announced that Generation Green Builders has constructed the first certified green home in the Des Moines metropolitan area.The home, which is located in West Des Moines, met the American National Standards Institute approved green standards on a national level. Green building techniques and environmentally friendly features helped it achieve its certification. “I am immensely proud of the first green home that we have built in the Des Moines area,” said Matt Connolly of Generation Green Builders in a release. “People in Iowa are looking to more environmentally friendly options when building a home. Iowa Realty and Generation Green Builders are working to make green building more accessible to all of Iowa.”

Gov. Chet Culver announced a $6.5 million infrastructure award from the Grow Iowa Values Fund to the Amana Division of Whirlpool Corp. The project is expected to retain 1,600 jobs in Amana and represents a $20 million capital investment in the facility. The project is part of a $32.5 million economic investment that was approved by the Economic Development Board and the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Read more.

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The Better Business Bureau and J.D. Power and Associates announced a new online content sharing agreement to help consumers research and identify trustworthy businesses such as car dealers, insurance agents, builders and movers. In addition to finding trustworthy consumer advice and BBB Reliability Reports, consumers visiting the BBB’s Web site can now access J.D. Power’s Power Circle Ratings on businesses and services. Check it out at www.bbb.org. Read more by clicking here.