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Economic Development

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SBA names Iowa award winners

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Lori Day, president of FocusFirst in Windsor Heights, as the Iowa SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year. Day started FocusFirst in 2002 to provide coaching, consulting …

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SBA backs $2.7M in Central Iowa loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration backed $2.7 million in private loans to Central Iowa businesses in April, the second-highest total this year. 

The 13 businesses whose loans were guaranteed plan to create nine jobs and …

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Ankeny Economic Development launches ‘Brunch with the Boss’

Ankeny businesses are promoting a new contest designed to connect young Iowans with businesses and careers they want to learn more about. Each month, one winner between the ages of 16 and 24 will visit …

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Partnership ranks among nation’s top development organizations, magazine says

The Greater Des Moines Partnership ranks among the top 15 local and regional development groups in the country, according to Site Selection magazine. The Partnership was among the development groups that received the publication’s Mac …

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Partnership sets federal priorities

After five meetings spanning the first three months of the year, the Greater Des Moines Partnership has come up with a short list of main priorities for federal action, and a whole book of other …

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Economic indexes: Midwest conditions up, Iowa indicators down

Creighton University reports that strength in manufacturing has sent the Mid-America Business Conditions Index to its highest level in a dozen years. 

The index hit 64.5 in April, up from 62.1 in March and 59.7 …

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State revamps Targeted Small Business Program

The state has developed a new online application portal and an upgraded online directory for the Targeted Small Business program.

The program is designed to help women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and service-disabled veterans start and…
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Iowa Republicans agree on plans for what they call the largest tax cuts in state history

Des Moines Register: Statehouse Republicans announced an agreement late Friday on what they described as the largest state tax relief and tax policy package in Iowa history. The plan will provide Iowa individuals and small-business owners …

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Zolli: Promote diversity, fight boredom, make small bets

Andrew Zolli was in town today. 

He’s all about resilience. That means finding a way for people and communities to survive during disruptions. 

The folks at the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and partners, …

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Siemens closing Burlington operations; 125 to lose jobs

Burlington Hawk Eye: Siemens will shutter its Burlington plant by 2019, closing a company that started business with Murray Iron Works in 1870. About 125 people will be laid off. The company is closing its entire …