The Iowa Department of Economic Development Board has approved economic assistance for five businesses, which are expected to create or retain 400 jobs. The nearly two million dollar investment comes from what’s called the Community Economic Betterment Account or CEBA. Department of Economic Development spokesman Phil Thomas says two of the businesses are new, including one in Sigourney.The Heartland Handcrafted Homes received a half-million dollar CEBA investment to build modular homes. The company plans to create 150 jobs. The other new company is in Oelwein.Heartland Resource Technologies received a 250-thousand dollar investment to help them produce a soy-based glue. He says the company will bring over a dozen jobs to northeast Iowa.Monarch Manufacturing in Adel won a loan to expand its production of basement windows for homes. They’re getting 500-thousand dollars in state money to add 87 jobs.C-and-C Machining Company in Centerville won a 300-thousand dollar loan to expand its operation and add 75 new jobs. Lorenz and Jones Marine Distributors in Ankeny won a 129-thousand dollar state investment to expand. The company will retain 23 jobs and create 20 more. The loans were approved by the Department of Economic Development board at its meeting on Thursday.
