Recent News

Innovation Corridors Update
Dec 29 2022Products coming out of U.S. centers of innovation are ramping up the economies of cities/regions across the country, shortening critical supply lines, and, in the case of some newly announced projects, helping ensure national security. Some of the breakthroughs will eventually find their way into space missions.
These hubs of innovatio...

Innovation Corridors Update
Dec 29 2022Products coming out of U.S. centers of innovation are ramping up the economies of cities/regions across the country, shortening critical supply lines, and, in the case of some newly announced projects, helping ensure national security. Some of the breakthroughs will eventually find their way into space missions.
These hubs of innovatio...

Innovation Corridors Update
Dec 29 2022Products coming out of U.S. centers of innovation are ramping up the economies of cities/regions across the country, shortening critical supply lines, and, in the case of some newly announced projects, helping ensure national security. Some of the breakthroughs will eventually find their way into space missions.
These hubs of innovatio...

The 2022 Business Climate Rankings
Dec 29 2022The Georgia-North Carolina business climate rivalry was relegated to the runner-up level in this year’s ranking of the best state business climates. Virginia, a frequent top 10 finisher in Site Selection’s annual ranking, won first place over Georgia, a recent eight-consecutive-year winner. Texas finished in third place. North Carolina an...

American Farmer-Justin and Kellie Enderso
Dec 23 2022Kellie Enderson did not grow up on a farm, but spent summers at both sets of grandparents, who raised cattle.
When she visited, she would “help feed the cattle, bale hay, stack hay bales, ride the three wheeler and experience the openness and the freedom of being on the farm.”
Click her...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an investment of $9.5 million to support the scale-up of sustainable bioproduct manufacturing in the United States. Three successful projects are funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Bioproduct Pilot Program, which funds research and development of value-added product...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $9.5 million to support the scale-up of sustainable bioproduct manufacturing in the United States. Three successful projects are funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Bioproduct Pilot Program, which funds research and development of value-added products from agricultura...

Best Economic Development Websites for 2023
Dec 20 2022The Best Economic Development Websites for 2023 do an incredible job of telling a story through a dynamic combination of written content, images, and design. Golden Shovel Agency has selected the top EDC websites based on research, industry trends, and our experience as an international economic development communications agency.
Economic developer...

Best Economic Development Websites for 2023
Dec 20 2022The Best Economic Development Websites for 2023 do an incredible job of telling a story through a dynamic combination of written content, images, and design. Golden Shovel Agency has selected the top EDC websites based on research, industry trends, and our experience as an international economic development communications agency.
Economic developer...

Best Economic Development Websites for 2023
Dec 20 2022The Best Economic Development Websites for 2023 do an incredible job of telling a story through a dynamic combination of written content, images, and design. Golden Shovel Agency has selected the top EDC websites based on research, industry trends, and our experience as an international economic development communications agency.
Economic developer...

Iowa’s tourism industry is urging the governor and state legislature to maintain state spending on programs that promote Iowa as a place to visit or live.
Chelsea Lerud is the executive director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners or I-TIP.
Tourism-related spending by the state is at historic levels this year, according t...

Iowa farmland values hit all-time high despite concerns about higher inflation, interest rates
Dec 19 2022One year after skyrocketing 29%, the average value of an acre of Iowa farmland jumped another 17%, or $1,660, to $11,411 per acre. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is again higher this year than at any point since Iowa State University began surveying values in 1941. Whe...

Iowa manufacturers expect to make capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Quarterly Business Survey. ABI sent this survey to its board in late November.
Survey results show 67 percent of respondents plan to make capital expenditures in th...

LEGACY EVENTS SET TO OPEN IN DOWNTOWN JEFFERSON
Dec 15 2022A new business has been announced to join the Jefferson area. Legacy Events is an event rental, supplies, and event management business owned and operated by Abby and Alex McConnell of Jefferson. Legacy Events will be located at the prior Stitch location, 217 E Lincoln Way in Jefferson. Doors pla...

Region XII Receives Nearly $500K From Federal Home Loan Bank For Owner-Occupied Housing Rehab Program
Dec 14 2022The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines announced earlier this week that Region XII Council of Governments had been approved for nearly a half-million dollars in funding to support affordable housing in its service area. A total of $473,875 is being awarded to Region XII for use i...

AUDUBON – As part of the National Rural Health Day celebration, Audubon County Memorial Hospital and Clinics announced it has been recognized with a 2022 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor performance among rural hospitals i...

Renovations to The Birth Place at St. Anthony Regional Hospital are officially underway, kicking off with a groundbreaking celebration on Thursday.
Hospital staff took the opportunity to hammer down the old walls of The Birth Place to make way for the multi-million dollar remodeling project.
President and CEO of St. Anthony Regiona...

Ida County earns County Seal Award designation
Nov 14 2022With Ida County’s application to the Power Up Iowa’s County Seal Program, a County Seal Award Designation has been received for Ida County’s engagement with the wind energy industry, its educational programs, and/or its manufacturing producers.
Read here for the full article.

MANNING — Manning was one of 10 Main Street Iowa communities to be awarded a Challenge Grant at an award ceremony held at the office of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in Des Moines on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The funds will be used to further renovate 320 Main Street...

AMES, IA – Iowa State University won an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Award for the fourth time since 2017 from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The APLU says the annual awards are intended to honor institutions performing exemplary work to advance the economic wellbeing of their states...

Des Moines, Iowa: The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) last week awarded $934,430 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities around the state, including two Carroll County communities — Coon Rapids and Manning.
Read here for the full article.

The Des Moines Register recently recognized Stewart Memorial Community Hospital [SMCH] as a 2022 Top Workplace, alongside 138 other companies and organizations in Iowa. This is the tenth time SMCH has received a Top Workplace Award.
Read here for the full article.

November 2, 2022 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today awarded $934,430 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects, such as historic building rehabilitation and upper story renovations.
Read here for the full article.

If you’re considering taking the leap from employment to self-employment, you’ll feel a mix of excitement and uncertainly. Starting a new business from scratch is a scary prospect for many, holding various unknowns. A better way is to make a plan based on your current situation. Start where you ar...