The director of Iowa’s Department of Economic Development says new state initiatives are fueling an economic turnaround. Michael Blouin cites the “Vision Iowa’ program which handed out 200 million dollars in state grants for community improvement projects. Blouin says those grants leveraged two billion dollars worth of business activity in 120 communities. In addition, the newest state economic development initiative — the “Iowa Values” fund — has handed 10-million dollars to Wells Fargo, and the company confirmed yesterday it will build a new office complex in West Des Moines which could eventually employ several thousand. Blouin says those are signals the state’s economy is turning the corner. Blouin says a “renaissance” is taking place in Iowa. He says the capstone is that seven-year, 500-million dollar “Values” fund which will offer state grants to businesses which expand or locate in Iowa.Blouin says the state will be working “hand-in-hand with the business community” to “recreate” and “stabilize” the Iowa economy and “give hope and vision to generations to come.” Blouin says when the pieces are put together, it shows a state that is “open for business.”