Recent News

Why are many successful companies choosing Western Iowa? They’re taking advantage of business-friendly state policies and the region's highly trained and productive workforce to optimally produce and market their goods and services nationally and internationally. Businesses in Iowa enjoy: No property taxes on personal property or inventories...Continue Reading

Advantage …….. Western Iowa!   Western Iowa Advantage One-Stop-Shop Website Drives Economic Development   If doing business in Western Iowa is as simple as navigating the region’s website, then site selectors should have an easy decision to locate in this economic mecca. Thanks to its compelling, interactive website full of stories, information,...Continue Reading

As office manager at a local construction company, Amy Healy sat at her desk and daydreamed about starting her own small quilting business. Thanks to the Western Iowa Advantage and support of the Region XII Development Corporation and its Revolving Loan Fund, that dream became a reality for Healy in...Continue Reading

Theresa Hildreth Brings Wealth of Experience to New Role ROCKWELL CITY – JULY 19, 2023 –  Calhoun County is poised for business growth and is pleased to welcome Theresa Hildreth as the new executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corp. (CCEDC). Hildreth, who will focus on...Continue Reading

Region XII Council of Governments (COG) is celebrating a significant milestone this month as the local government assistance agency celebrates its 50th anniversary. Region XII was formed in 1973 through a 28E agreement between Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, and Sac Counties. Executive Director Rick Hunsaker explains the circumstances surrounding...Continue Reading

Rural areas offer unique opportunities for businesses to thrive, with lower operating costs, access to natural resources, and a strong sense of community. However, attracting businesses to rural areas can be a challenge for many economic developers. Here are some strategies to get you started. Identifying and Targeting Businesses...Continue Reading

A new business in Jefferson has been awarded $5,000 in Jefferson Wants You Incentive Funds for a new start-up. Murphy Farm Meats, LLC is owned by Dennis and Terry Murphy of rural Jefferson. The new butcher shop will be located at 201 W Washington in Jefferson. A retail area for...Continue Reading

The Carroll City Council voted unanimously this week to move forward with platting and infrastructure design work for a proposed housing development on the Carroll Municipal Golf Course’s western edge. Earlier this summer, an ad-hoc housing committee presented a plan to create nine lots along West Street. City officials reached...Continue Reading

Social media has revolutionized how businesses market themselves, and economic development organizations are no exception. In today’s digital age, economic developers must leverage social media platforms to reach a wider audience and promote their region’s economic growth. The Impact of Social Media on Marketing & SEO Strategies Social...Continue Reading

DES MOINES, Iowa – Each quarter, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) sends a Quarterly Business Survey to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the industry's current state and future trajectory. The survey for the third quarter of 2023 was sent to ABI board members mid-June.  Key findings...Continue Reading

Around 200 people turned out to celebrate a new era for Dobson Pipe Organ Builders in Lake City.  Breaking ground in the same location as their previous building was located, the new facility should be operational in about one year.  John Ryan was on hand and spoke to Dobson Pipe...Continue Reading

Des Moines-based homebuilders, Origin Homes, is launching an initiative to provide affordable housing options in rural areas of Iowa, including in at least one community in Carroll County. By leveraging the USDA Rural Home Loan Program, Origin Homes encourages homebuyers in towns with 20,000 or fewer populations to apply for...Continue Reading

Iowa businesses have an optimistic outlook due to a 2022 tax-cut package, diverse industries, and other factors, according to an Iowa business organization’s quarterly survey.  The Iowa Business Council’s (IBC) quarter two economic outlook survey indicates “strong confidence” in Iowa’s economy, with the index rising since quarter one.  The...Continue Reading

Carroll County Growth Partnership (CCGP) announced today (Friday) the highly anticipated HUB 712 small business resource center has found a home in the former Western Iowa Networks (WIN) retail space in downtown Carroll. Earlier this year, CCGP was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to...Continue Reading

Dobson Pipe Organ Builders President and Owner, John Panning, announced today (Thursday) plans for a public groundbreaking ceremony for their new facilities in Lake City. The announcement comes two years to the day that a devastating fire destroyed the iconic musical instrument shop on the northeast corner of Lake City’s...Continue Reading

As an economic developer, your primary goal is to attract businesses, investors, and workforce to your community. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by creating engaging content showcasing your community's unique value proposition. However, creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience is not always...Continue Reading

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Classroom Clinic of Carroll County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.  “Telehealth access has become...Continue Reading

Life sciences leaders stand at a critical juncture between the past, present, and future of work. The workplace landscape has experienced seismic change in recent years, rendering it unrecognizable from the past. And the metamorphosis continues, driven by a range of converging trends reshaping the way we collectively think about...Continue Reading

Abundant access to water, for manufacturing and other purposes, has long ranked near the top of companies’ site selection criteria — especially in drought-prone regions. Recent weather and climate trends have made it even more of a vital concern. Industries that withdraw large volumes of groundwater include manufacturing, mining, oil...Continue Reading

Arthur N. Neu Airport, just east of Carroll off Highway 30, continues to grow with its surrounding communities, reflecting Carroll’s standing as a regional hub. Greg Siemann, airport commission member and lawyer at Siemann Law Firm PLC, said it’s important for the community to have an airport big enough...Continue Reading

Growing up in Irwin, Lexi Petersen and Tess Rademacker have been best friends since they were little girls. As adults, the two women are now pursuing their respective passions under the same roof. “We’ve always talked about doing something together,” Petersen said. “And then, this building popped up.”...Continue Reading

Western Iowa Advantage (WIAD) partners and stakeholders gathered in Odebolt, IA. for the 2023 Annual Dinner to learn about the WIAD-assisted projects and success stories from around the region featured in the Western Iowa Advantage Annual Report 2021–2022. With an emphasis on collaboration and networking, WIAD assists through the pooled...Continue Reading