Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group Inc. has received regulatory approval to complete the acquisition of a biodiesel production facility in Houston and a liquid storage terminal in California. Construction of the biodiesel facility is complete, and Renewable Energy Group expects to begin production July 7 and to operate near full capacity. Soybean oil will be the primary feedstock. The facility includes an on-site laboratory, raw material and finished product storage as well as truck, rail, deepwater and pipeline access. All former U.S. Biodiesel Group employees at the Houston facility have been retained by Renewable Energy Group.

Doug Jeske, chief operating officer of The Meyocks Group Inc. advertising agency, has acquired the firm from Hy-Vee Inc., the companies announced today. The Meyocks Group will continue to be the advertising agency of record for Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee purchased The Meyocks Group in 1994 when it was known as Meyocks Benkstein Associates. The agency later operated as Meyocks & Priebe Advertising. Richard “Dick” Meyocks retired in 1995 and passed away in 1996. Co-founder Ken Benkstein remains a senior counselor with the firm. Jeske said the agency will continue to operate as The Meyocks Group.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said $17 million in federal funds directed to Iowa Workforce Development is now available to create temporary employment for workers who have lost their jobs due to recent storms, tornadoes and flooding. Eligible Iowans could receive up to $12,000 for up to 26 weeks. Those interested in employment should call 1-800-562-4692.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC will host a press conference and Webcast on July 23 to formally announce the launch of a new real estate brand. In October 2007, Realogy Corp. announced it had entered into a long-term agreement to license the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand from Meredith Corp., publisher of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate becomes Realogy’s fifth residential real estate franchise brand.

Bank of America Corp completed its purchase of Countrywide Financial Corp. today. As before, Bank of America plans to offer the following types of first-lien mortgages: conforming loans underwritten to standard guidelines of government-sponsored enterprises and the federal government, including loans designed for low- and moderate-income borrowers; non-conforming loans with terms expected to produce no greater risk of default than conforming loans; interest-only fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) that are subject to a 10-year minimum-interest-only period, which lessens the possibility of short-term payment shock, and fixed-period ARMs that provide borrowers low initial rates with the security of fixed payments. Bank of America reiterated it will continue its policy of not originating subprime mortgages. As announced previously, Bank of America will discontinue certain nontraditional mortgages — including option-ARM loans. It also will significantly curtail some other nontraditional mortgages, such as certain low-documentation loans, and will implement enhanced borrower protections over time as part of the transition process. Countrywide’s existing customers eventually will gain access to a broad set of consumer financial products such as credit cards and deposit services.