Did You Know? Western Iowa Advantage is Your Business Resource for Growth!

April 11, 2025

Running a business? We get it. It’s a challenge! Managing the paperwork, accounting, all the regulations, solving workforce challenges, figuring out how to obtain essential capital to keep the doors open… It's a daunting process for any entrepreneur.

So, where can a new or existing business owner turn to get their questions answered?

Look no further than the Western Iowa Advantage (WIAD)! We’re your community resource for everything needed to establish, build and grow your business in Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Ida and Sac Counties.

As we celebrate National Economic Development Week (May 11-17), we thought we’d tell you even more about who we are and what we do.

What is Economic Development, Exactly?

Simply put, economic development is designed to enhance the economic prosperity of a region by attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones and helping entrepreneurs get their operation up and running.

Business attracts new employees, and as these residents put down roots in the area, our school districts enjoy increased tax support, our healthcare system gets upgraded and infrastructure is modernized. Each functions as a brick that builds a solid foundation for the community and promotes a higher quality of life.

So, How Does WIAD Do It?

For the WIAD, developing a healthy economy means promoting all the advantages of doing business in each of our seven counties.

For example, did you know that:

Iowa was named the 5th Best Run State in the Nation (24/7 Wall Street, 2018)
Iowa has the 2nd lowest cost of doing business in the country (Business Facilities, 2017)
Iowa is home to 80 insurance company headquarters (Iowa Insurance Division)
Iowa’s largest industry sector, advanced manufacturing, has contributed over $30 billion to the economy (Bea, 2019)

We’re also responsible for showcasing all of the other things that make Western Iowa an attractive place to live, work and play. We want to highlight what gives our region a competitive edge, enticing businesses both large and small to consider establishing their operations here vs. elsewhere.

There’s a lot that Western Iowa has to offer! Things like:

Attractive Tax Advantages

No sales and use tax on manufacturing machinery and business equipment purchases
No property tax on new industrial machinery and business equipment
No personal property tax, including corporate inventories of goods-in-process, raw materials and salable goods
Local and state tax abatement programs
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
New Jobs Tax Credit
Renewable Chemicals Production Tax Credit
Research Activities Credit

Special Financing for Businesses

Low interest revolving loan funds from $5,000 to $300,000
High Quality Jobs Program designed to support innovation and job growth in Iowa

Improved Quality of Life

Low cost of housing
Low property taxes
Safe communities
An average commute time of 5-9 minutes
The legendary Midwestern work ethic

We’re Here to Help!

On any given day, you will find WIAD helping business and community leaders with economic development strategies, discussing workforce development and training options, talking about social media marketing tactics, sharing housing opportunities or just listening to business ideas and offering feedback.

WIA is ready to take on 2025, keeping an eye on education, support, and business tours while tackling workforce attraction and housing. We are committed to facilitating ongoing improvements in our region’s economy, quality of life, and tourism. Contact us today at 712.792.9914 or info@westerniowaadvantage.com and see how easy it can be! Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.