MidAmerican Energy Co. paid $41.8 million in statewide semiannual taxes for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, making it the largest property-tax paying entity in Iowa. The payments will affect 80 of Iowa’s 99 counties, with Polk County receiving the largest sum of $11.93 million. Taxes paid to each individual county are based on the amount of MidAmerican property in that county. The energy company’s investments include power plants, wind turbines and natural gas distribution lines.

BWB Marketing Services has changed its name to B2E Direct Marketing Inc. Company President Keith Snow said, “For years companies have described themselves as ‘B to B’ for business to business and ‘B to C’ for business to consumers. B2E stands for business to everyone, which is much more indicative of our world now.” Snow founded the company BWB (Business Web Builders) Marketing Services LLC in 2000.

Foreclosures on active mortgages in Greater Des Moines increased to 1.5 percent in February from 1.4 percent in February 2008, according to a company that monitors real estate activity. Nationally, foreclosures rose 0.4 percent to 1.7 percent of all mortgages, according to First American Core Logic, which excludes mortgages that have been paid off in its report. For all of Iowa, foreclosures dropped 0.1 percent in February compared with year-ago figures. First American also said mortgages that were at least 90 days delinquent increased to 3.2 percent in February from 2.8 percent a year ago in Greater Des Moines. In Iowa, delinquencies rose to 2.8 percent from 2.5 percent and nationally delinquencies increased to 5 percent from 3.7 percent.

Wells Fargo & Co. today released the results of its Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, which showed that one-third of small business owners believe the current economic situation has affected their plans to become more environmentally friendly. Nearly 70 percent of the respondents said they didn’t think customers would be willing to pay more for goods and services described as environmentally friendly, and 17 percent of business owners surveyed said their companies are doing “very little or nothing at all” to help the environment.

A historic gas station located at 203 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Des Moines will be moved to a temporary location at East Third and East Walnut streets Saturday, April 4, between 7 a.m. and noon. The gas station will be at that corner until Historic East Village Inc. secures a permanent home for it. Currently, nearly $40,000 has been raised to offset moving expenses, which have been estimated at $60,000 to $70,000. Jeremy Patterson House Moving from Washington, Iowa, was hired to conduct the move by project contractor Mike Kinter of Kinter Construction. The public is invited to come and watch the event.

The National Civic League (NCL) announced yesterday that Waukee is a finalist in the 60th annual All-America City awards competition, which will be held June 17-19 in Tampa, Fla. The NCL will base the award on a city that has a proven capacity for community-based problem solving, grassroots civic engagement and cooperation between business sectors. To become a finalist, each city had to complete an application documenting three community projects that address local challenges such as job creation/economic development, environmental sustainability, neighborhood revitalization and disaster recovery.

Greater Des Moines Partnership members are invited to register for the Small to Big Business forum on Thursday, April 16, from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at AllPlay, 615 Third St., and the cost is $70 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch. Registration is available online at www.desmoinesmetro.com/events. For more information contact Meg Fitz at 286-4934 or mfitz@desmoinesmetro.com. The annual roundtable event will help members gain exposure for their companies as well as learn about the products and services available from other Greater Des Moines businesses.