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As far as pickleballers and tennis racquet-eers are concerned, Titan Ball Machines come pretty darn close to perfection.Fans of their products tend to leave reviews saying things like:“It's easily one of the best machines right now.”“It changed the game.”“This tennis ball machine is AMAZING.”But the Titan story isn’t exactly an...
Tiefenthaler Meats: So Good, It’ll Make You Cry!
Aug 22 2026Maybe it's the world famous skinless bratwurst. Or the award winning meats; frankfurters, sausages, ribs, prime rib roast, chili dogs. It could be all of the 4.9 star Google Reviews that read like a love letter to Tiefenthaler Meats:“The cheese jalapeno skinless brat was… out of this world. Not even...
Manning could see a new facet of their downtown utilized in a way the city had not seen before. Many businesses in the area have a rear entrance that is underutilized. Manning Area Partners (MAP) Executive Director Andrea Rohe explains how the idea for their new Alley Revitalization Project was...
Looking for a Midwest getaway where you can pack a lot into a weekend without spending hours driving from one attraction to the next? Sac County, Iowa might be one to put on your road-trip list.Located about 3.5 hours south of the Twin Cities, Sac County offers a mix of...
When Leisa Fox left the Association of Business and Industry after 11 years, she realized she missed one thing more than anything else: the opportunity to walk into incredible Iowa companies and hear the stories behind their success. “There are thousands of manufacturers in Iowa doing remarkable things, but most people...
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation, the nonprofit foundation of Pella Corporation, has awarded $14,500 in grants to four organizations serving Carroll and surrounding communities. The funding reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting programs and services that strengthen the communities where Pella team members live and work.The latest grants support projects that...
Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of PDI ConnectED, a new year-long professional development and mentorship program designed to strengthen Iowa's economic development talent pipeline.Following a competitive application process, 10 economic development professionals representing communities and organizations across Iowa have been selected to participate...
Five Steps For Building Community Trust
Aug 5 2026When a major economic development project is announced, public opinion is often set before the first public meeting begins. Residents who trust their local economic development organization are more likely to approach a project with curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and give leaders the benefit of the doubt. Those who don't...
A multi-purpose gym, upper level walking/running track, state of the art fitness equipment… When the doors to the highly anticipated Crawford County YMCA Wellness Center swung open in early April 2026, over 100 people eagerly attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.It was hard to imagine what could have possibly made the...
It’s easy to feel the difference in Western Iowa: clean air, uncongested highways, low crime and friendly neighborhoods are the norm in our communities.Western Iowa’s picturesque landscape of rolling hills, lakes and river trails provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, golfing, sightseeing, kayaking...
Meet The Accessibility 200—And Their AI Tools
May 19 2026You search Amazon for a product: say, gourmet coffee. But instead of the robust, buttery blend you wanted, you’re served with “1-48 of over 100,000 results for ‘coffee’.” You gamely tick some filters and click a few product pages, but after a few minutes, you give up and hit the...
In today’s competitive job market, it’s safe to say your resume is being scanned, not read, by hiring managers and recruiters.With hundreds of applications being received per open role, employers spend an average of just 11.2 seconds on each resume, according to a study done by AI-powered interview platform InterviewPal...
The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Main Street Iowa celebrated its 40th anniversary this evening during the 2026 Main Street Iowa Development Awards in West Des Moines, recognizing outstanding efforts to revitalize downtown districts across the state.Eighteen projects received Main Street Iowa Development Awards, while 45 recipients were recognized with...
For many communities, the biggest barrier to airport development isn’t vision — it’s funding. City leaders worry about local match requirements. Airport managers feel overwhelmed by federal processes. Economic developers see opportunity but struggle to connect aviation investments to broader growth goals.The reality is, the funding is out there for...
Humble Beginnings: VT Industries Celebrates 70 Years of American Craftsmanship in Holstein
Apr 18 2026VT Industries founder Roger Clausen was born on a farm not too far from Holstein. Graduate of Holstein High, Class of ‘44.He enjoyed a short, one-year stint in the Navy, came back, and earned a diploma from the University of Denver in 1950. His career was going to involve running...
Businesses looking to expand or relocate to Western Iowa have access to a highly skilled regional workforce of more than 292,000 individuals.According to a 2026 report by the Labor Market Information Division of Iowa Workforce Development, industries from manufacturing, healthcare, education, finance, construction, and wholesale retail trade can benefit wildly...
The Greene County Community Foundation (GCCF) awarded grants to 24 projects throughout the county on Sunday evening.During the 21st annual event, a total of $256,229 was given to help local organizations purchase needed supplies, complete necessary projects or finish building upgrades that may not have been possible without the grants.“Our...
The Lohrville Spray Pad project has been awarded a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The program offers grant funding to a variety of recreational, entertainment and cultural attractions to enhance vitality and increase tourism of the community. The Lohrville Visions organization has...
A proposed housing development along the western edge of the Carroll Municipal Golf Course is back on the Carroll City Council’s agenda on Monday after a contractor expressed interest in the property. The council convenes at 5:15 p.m. at Carroll City Hall. City Manager Aaron Kooiker says Kerkhoff Kraftsmen, Inc.,...
Despite perceived economic headwinds, Iowa employers are showing increased optimism heading into the second quarter of 2026, with stronger expectations for sales growth, workforce expansion, and capital investment, according to the latest Quarterly Business Survey from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI). The survey found 62 percent of...
Nominations Open for Coolest Thing Made in Iowa
Mar 19 2026The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) is partnering with Nicolet National Bank to host a statewide competition to find the “Coolest Thing Made in Iowa.”Now in its third year, the contest celebrates Iowa’s largest industry — manufacturing — and the Iowans behind it. Manufacturing contributes more than $43...
Iowa’s economic future will not be determined by chance. It will be shaped by the decisions we make today about how we prepare young people for work—and how deeply businesses choose to engage in that preparation.For too long, education and workforce development have been treated as separate systems. In reality,...
Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business grant application period is now open for Main Street district businesses to utilize for expenses that encourage development. Each Main Street community across the state can submit one application for a business located in the designated district for up to $25,000 in funding for...
Since 1901, Heartland Bank has remained family owned to continue local decision making and community support.The bank’s fifth and newest branch opened in Jefferson in 2020 at a temporary downtown location, and moved into their permanent building two years later.Scott Weber, vice-president of the Jefferson branch, said this is what...
