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Economic Development

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Guest opinion: Turning coal into a diamond

I was raised in Altoona, Iowa and played my first soccer league at around 5 years old. I am absolutely certain that my dad and almost all of the other teams from the budding Altoona …

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Iowa Leading Indicators Index reports ongoing rise

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index increased to 107.7 in April from 106.4 in March, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue. April marks the seventh month in a row that the index has not shown …

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Central Iowa SBA-backed loans total nearly $9.5M in May

The U.S. Small Business Administration in May backed 11 loans totaling $9,468,500 for Central Iowa businesses.  

Those 11 loans are expected to create 73 new jobs and retain 103 existing jobs. Central Iowa is defined as …

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Iowa, Texas companies propose carbon-capture pipelines across Iowa

Des Moines Register: Companies in Iowa and Texas plan to build pipelines across the state that will capture carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol, fertilizer and other industrial plants before being permanently sequestered. Dallas-based Navigator CO2 Ventures …

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Iowa reduces data available to public on unemployment claims

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa Workforce Development confirmed it has reduced the amount of data available to the public regarding weekly unemployment claims. The amount of money spent on weekly jobless benefits — both through standard state …

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NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: An economic recovery like no other

True to form, the U.S. economic recovery from the pandemic is shaping up to be as unique as the pandemic itself has been, as this Wall Street Journal article from Wednesday details. “When Covid-19 pandemic restrictions sent …

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Stronger production wages spur growth in Iowa’s economy

Iowa’s economy grew in May behind strengthening wages in manufacturing production, according to a survey of supply chain managers released this week.

Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index for Iowa rose to 70.2 in May from …

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A Closer Look: Staci Bennett

Staci Bennett returned to downtown Des Moines when she began her new role as executive director of the Downtown Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 1. You may know her most recently from her work at …

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IWD warns of fraudulent website attempting to collect personal information from Iowans

A fraudulent website mirroring Iowa Workforce Development’s claims portal is attempting to collect personal information from Iowans, IWD announced this week. Iowans applying for unemployment insurance benefits should only file an application through the official IWD …

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SBA accepting applications for Community Navigator Pilot Program

The?U.S. Small Business Administration ?announced Tuesday that it has begun accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. The new $100 million initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President …