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cre event 2025

What you need to know from the CRE Trends and Issues Forum

Downtown housing, conversion of vacant office space, adaptive reuse and challenges facing the commercial real estate market caused by tariffs, interest rates and uncertainty around changes in the state’s property tax structure. Those were among the topics discussed during the Business Record’s Commercial Real Estate Trends and Issues Forum held Thursday, April 24, at the…
By Michael Crumb | Apr 30, 2025
data center

What’s the valuation of data center properties in Central Iowa? More than $3.75 billion, review shows

The total valuation of data center properties that are either fully developed or are in the process of being developed increased 5.1% in 2025 from 2024, a review of valuations in Polk, Dallas, Madison and Warren counties show. In 2025, the total assessed valuation of the nine properties owned by Apple, Meta and Microsoft in…
By Kathy A. Bolten | Apr 30, 2025
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NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS: Hotel property in Des Moines sold for $2.7 million

MVP Hospitality Iowa Inc., located in West Des Moines, paid Adi Lakshmi Lodging Inc. $2.7 million for property at 4995 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Polk County real estate records show. The 1.8-acre parcel includes a two-story, 111-unit hotel built in 1971. The property is valued at $2.4 million. The transaction was recorded April 21….
By Kathy A. Bolten | Apr 30, 2025
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Hyper Energy Bar founder accused of domestic abuse, child endangerment

Chris Whalen, owner of Hyper Energy Bar and president of development at Heart of America Group, has been arrested on domestic abuse and child endangerment charges following an incident at his West Des Moines home. According to Iowa Courts online, Whalen is charged with domestic abuse-display or use of a weapon, intimidation with a dangerous…
By Business Record Staff | Apr 29, 2025
Iowa Workforce Development

Iowa awards $3.4 million to support registered apprenticeship programs

The state of Iowa announced $3.4 million in grant awards to existing and new registered apprenticeship programs across the state. Nearly $3 million was awarded to 59 programs supporting 5,133 apprentices and $427,800 was awarded to 17 program sponsors that have created new apprenticeship programs in 19 new occupations. Grant funds will be managed through…
By Business Record Staff | Apr 29, 2025
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Iowa State University to offer a master of financial technology

Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business, in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has announced a new master of financial technology program. The new program will be delivered on campus and is designed to meet the needs of current Iowa State University students and working professionals, according to a news release. The…
By Business Record Staff | Apr 29, 2025
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Iowa Safe Schools’ survey finds less than half of LGBTQ youth plan to stay in Iowa after high school

A recent report from the nonprofit Iowa Safe Schools indicates a feeling of a lack of belonging in Iowa for LGBTQ youth, which could lead to workforce issues in the future. Iowa Safe Schools’ Student Experiences survey tracks the impact of LGBTQ policy in Iowa on students. The mid-year report from the LGBTQ youth nonprofit’s…
By Business Record Staff | Apr 29, 2025
Gas pump Getty

EPA allows year-round E15

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 28 issued an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of E15 gasoline nationwide during the summer driving season. E15 is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol and is typically banned for summer sale because of the risk of its emissions causing smog formation. This is the fourth consecutive year the waiver…
By Business Record Staff | Apr 29, 2025