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Economic Development

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Planned layoffs up 42 percent from year ago; unemployment rate drops to 4.9 percent

Planned layoffs are up, yet the unemployment rate is down. Confused? Here’s a look at the two latest job reports.   Heavy downsizing in the retail and energy sectors pushed monthly job cut announcements to…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 5, 2016
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Three potential economic threats for Iowa

So, what indicators out there are keeping our industry experts and economists sleeping with one eye open? We wanted to hear what they are watching in 2016 and beyond. Below are three of the 13 threats…
By CHRIS CONETZKEY | Feb 4, 2016
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Event March 30: Biotech Innovation Showcase

Twelve biotechnology companies will network and compete in the Biotech Innovation Showcase which will be held Monday, March 30, at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. Matt Bell, principal …
By BPC Staff | Feb 3, 2016
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How will Iowa be affected by market turmoil in China?

To shake things up this year, our newsroom brainstormed a list of key questions that we thought business people should know the answers to in order to do business better in 2016. Then we went…
By CHRIS CONETZKEY | Feb 3, 2016
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Iowa economic indicators point to contraction

Two elements of the Iowa Department of Revenue’s index on the state economy reached lows not seen since 2009 in December as part of an overall decline that portends a softening of the economy.


The…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 3, 2016
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KemX gets up to $1.9 million in tax credits

KemX Global’s Boone operation, which will produce pharmaceutical-grade glycerin and non-GMO cooking oils, will receive up to $1,875,500 in tax credits, the Iowa Economic Development Authority board decided Friday. KemX’s $27 million capital investment will…
By BPC Staff | Feb 1, 2016
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Not up to full speed yet, but vehicle sales accelerated last year

Auto sales increased 3.5 percent last year to 147,447, according to a report from the Iowa Legislative Services Agency. New vehicle registrations peaked at 155,460 sales for the 12 months ending September 2004 and bottomed …
By BPC Staff | Feb 1, 2016
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Creighton business conditions index rises for first time since June

The nine-state Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index for January expanded for the first time since June of last year but remained below growth neutral. The index, which ranges between 0 and 100, improved in January to …
By BPC Staff | Feb 1, 2016
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Service industry growth picking up in middle market

The burgeoning service economy is significantly outpacing more traditional industry sectors in its rate of business growth among middle-market companies, according to a new report from American Express Co. and Dun & Bradstreet Inc.


While…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 1, 2016
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Kosovo consulate opens in downtown Des Moines

Leaders from Kosovo and the state of Iowa celebrated the opening of the first diplomatic office located in Iowa: the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo. The announcement of the opening was made this morning …
By BPC Staff | Jan 29, 2016