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Economic Development

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Sayers hired as executive director of JEDCO

Jennifer Sayers has been named the new executive director for the Johnston Economic Development Corporation. Sayers, who owns Bijou Grafix, will take over from Joe Benesh, who will continue to serve the organization and provide support …

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Iowa’s unemployment rate ticks up to 2.6%

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in August, slightly higher than July’s rate of 2.5%, Iowa Workforce Development reported today. According to the release, there were 44,700 unemployed Iowans in August, up slightly from …

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A Closer Look: Rachel Wacker

After graduating from Iowa State University, Rachel Wacker was unsure of how to put to use her degree in journalism and mass communication. 

 

She bounced around several jobs including helping market a new music …

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JRS Pharma plans $18 million manufacturing expansion in southwest Cedar Rapids

Corridor Business Journal: The Cedar Rapids City Council will be sponsoring JRS Pharma’s application for state financial assistance to help expand its manufacturing operations in southwest Cedar Rapids, including a declining-scale exemption of local property taxes …

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Oskaloosa, Mahaska County join Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has expanded, adding Mahaska County and Oskaloosa to the list of communities it serves. In an announcement Monday, officials with the Partnership said they will help Mahaska County and Oskaloosa …

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Partnership names Sikkink senior vice president of talent development

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has named Jenae Sikkink as its senior vice president of talent development. She will lead the Partnership’s efforts to attract and retain talent in the Greater Des Moines region and help build …

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ARPA funds to help build workforce training center in Osceola

The Clarke County Development Corp. has been awarded a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help build a workforce training center in Osceola. According to a news release, the commerce department’s …

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Partnership honors companies for contribution to region’s economic vitality

The Greater Des Moines Partnership recognized the 2022 Economic Impact Award winners on Wednesday. At left is the winner of the Entrepreneur Champion award, Jon Kallen, managing partner of Jennings Kallen Advisors. At right is …

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SBA backs more than $6.5M in Central Iowa loans in August

The U.S. Small Business Administration backed 13 loans to Central Iowa businesses totaling $6,529,200 in August.

The loans will help those small businesses create 69 new jobs and retain 132 local jobs, according to data …

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Report: Share of Iowans employed by small businesses dips

Iowa had a net increase in the total number of business openings in the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but total jobs lost outpaced total jobs added during that same period, according to the …