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Economic Development

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Investor optimism index posts largest quarterly drop in three years

U.S. investor optimism fell to its lowest point since the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the third-quarter Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor Optimism Index released today. The Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index is now 72, down …

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M&A Slowdown?

The same uncertainty that has tested the stock market in recent weeks could rattle the mergers and acquisitions world in coming months, experts say. 

But they add that the merger and acquisition mania will continue.…

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Polk County receives portion of $2.8 million dislocated worker grant

Iowa Workforce Development announced that four regions of the state, including Polk County, will share a National Dislocated Worker Grant totaling more than $2.86 million to assist 173 dislocated workers affected by the flooding across Iowa earlier …

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Iowa Workforce Development, IEDA launch laborshed study in Des Moines region

Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Economic Development Authority are partnering to conduct a laborshed study across 10 counties, including communities in the Greater Des Moines area. The annual study takes about six months and …

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Partnership launches downtown retail portal

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has launched a new downtown retail portal on its web site. The data, statistics and information on the growth of downtown are aimed at the many people who contact the Partnership for …

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Iowa’s unemployment rate rises a tick to 2.5%

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.5% in July, up slightly from 2.4% the same month last year. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.7% in July. “After a solid year of 2.4 percent …

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Bourke named to lead Ames CVB

Iowa Sports Foundation executive Kevin Bourke has been named president and CEO of the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau, replacing the retiring Julie Weeks. Bourke, a former track and cross-country coach at Iowa State University, had been …

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Iowa mainstreet index falls

Iowa’s already soft Rural Mainstreet Index fell to 46.2 from July’s 49.9, Creighton University reported. 

The 100-point index based on a monthly survey of bank CEOs in the 10-state region suggests growth if the readings …

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Commerce Department makes $587 million available in disaster grants

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration has made $587 million available to eligible grantees in communities affected by natural disasters in 2018, and floods and tornadoes in 2019. The grants in areas declared disaster areas by …

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Coon Rapids, Nevada named Main Street Iowa communities

Coon Rapids and Nevada have been named Main Street Iowa communities by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. 

The communities were chosen in a selection process that started last fall. They join 53 other communities that have won …