Advanced Agriculture Manufacturing
Strong Existing Agriculture Industry
Western Iowa’s rural landscape and rich agricultural history make it the perfect place for value-added agricultural services. Opportunities include scientific and technical consulting services, soil preparation services, veterinary services in support of agriculture, and many more.
Access To Markets
With its centralized location and convenient Interstate access, companies in Western Iowa have access to an abundance of raw materials and a market of over 25 million people within a day’s drive (500 miles). (source: census.gov)
Employers
| EMPLOYER | Primary Service | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| AMVC | Livestock Production Support | 500+ |
| Ag Processing | Livestock Production Support | 50-75 |
| Flint Hills Resources | Ethanol | 50-75 |
| Louis Dreyfus Commodities | Ethanol | 50-75 |
| The Andersons | Ethanol | 25-50 |
| Iowa Corn Processors | Value-Added Corn Products | 25-50 |
| POET | Ethanol | 25-50 |
| Quad-County Corn Processors | Ethanol | 25-50 |
| SoyPlus | Soy Value-Added Products | 25-50 |
| Western Iowa Energy | Biodiesel | 25-50 |
| American Natural Soy | Soy Extraction & Refinement | 1-25 |
| Renewable Energy Group | Biodiesel | 1-25 |
| Struve Labs | Swine Rearing Laboratory | 1-25 |
Wage Comparison
The Iowa workforce provides excellent value to the bio-services industry.
| OCCUPATION | IOWA | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $33.26 | $34.90 |
| Agriculture & Food Scientists | $30.58 | $31.85 |
| Soil & Plant Scientists | $33.86 | $31.10 |
| Biochemists & Biophysicists | $35.04 | $44.21 |
| Environmental Scientists & Specialists, Including Health | $31.14 | $34.64 |
| Veterinarians | $45.08 | $47.23 |
(Source: www.BLS.gov, www.census.gov)
Quality Of Life
Employers and residents are consistently positive when talking about Western Iowa’s high quality of life. The low cost of living, high air and water quality and recreational opportunities are just a few of the advantages of living in the region.
Safety
With crime ratings well below the US average, surrounding states and even Iowa as a whole, Western Iowa offers a safer environment for you, your family and your assets.
Education
The four community colleges that serve the region offer a variety of programs in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural technology, biotechnology, livestock and crop production,and veterinary technology.
Des Moines Area Community College
Iowa Central Community College
Southwestern Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College
The state’s 2 large research universities, Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, provide a specialized, knowledgeable workforce and opportunities for innovation in this sector.
| FACTOR | 8 COUNTY REGION | IOWA | ILLINOIS | MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | NEBRASKA | SOUTH DAKOTA | WISCONSIN | UNITED STATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 81.9 | 89 | 96 | 103 | 91 | 89 | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| (Lower is better) | |||||||||
| Air Quality | 96.9 | 92.7 | 59.5 | 87 | 84.2 | 90.1 | 94.6 | 91.1 | 93.9 |
| Water Quality | 75.3 | 62 | 36 | 42 | 73 | 40 | 41 | 46 | 55 |
| (Higher is better) | |||||||||
| FACTOR | 8 COUNTY REGION | IOWA | ILLINOIS | MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | NEBRASKA | SOUTH DAKOTA | WISCONSIN | UNITED STATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 26 | 39.8 | 46 | 36.5 | 47.1 | 40.3 | 38.6 | 37.4 | 41.4 |
| Property Crime | 28.1 | 37.1 | 41.5 | 40.5 | 45.3 | 41.5 | 32.2 | 39 | 43.5 |
| 1=low, 100=high | |||||||||
“With new recruits, if they stay a year, they'll stay forever.”
Doug Clausen, President of VT Industries
Contact us today and see how easy it can be!
Western Iowa Advantage
712.792.9914
info@westerniowaadvantage.com
P.O. Box 768
Carroll, IA 51401
