A new owner plans to reopen a meat processing facility in northwest Iowa. Oklahoma-based Lopez Foods, a family-owned business, bought the plant in Cherokee from Iowa Food Group, which closed the facility in April. Bill Anderson with Cherokee Area Economic Development says 40 people worked at Iowa … [Read more...]
Grinnell College investing in Techstar Iowa business accelerator
Grinnell College is putting up an undisclosed amount of money over the next three years to support a Des Moines-based business "accelerator" -- and help up to 30 entrepreneurs take their start-ups to the next level. "We know that great ideas are not only born in California and New York and the … [Read more...]
Unemployment rate holds steady in September
The state unemployment rate is back in a holding pattern again -- staying at 2.5% in September. Iowa Workforce Development Deputy Director, Ryan West, says it's the third month at that rate after 12 straight months where it held at 2.4%. "All in all, we've had a really phenomenal last kind of 18 … [Read more...]
Iowa SBA loans held steady in last fiscal year
Lending to launch and expand small businesses in Iowa held steady during the just-ended fiscal year, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Jayne Armstrong, director of the SBA’s Iowa District Office, says loan numbers rose just slightly from the previous fiscal year. "We did 406 … [Read more...]
Future Ready Iowa summits continue effort to build state’s workforce
Around 20 Iowa communities are hosting local employers and state leaders this fall for what are known as Future Ready Iowa summits. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says it's an ideal opportunity to discuss Governor Kim Reynolds’ goal of continuing to build a skilled workforce in … [Read more...]
Allegations lead state to put hold on incentives for Sioux City plant
State officials have frozen tax incentives for a Sioux City pork processing plant due to an investigation of alleged mistreatment of foreigners recruited to work at the plant. Seaboard Triumph Foods was awarded $16.5 million in tax credits and sales tax breaks for the Sioux City facility which … [Read more...]
Iowa founder of seed company moves up richest Americans list
The wealthiest Iowan has reportedly made a significant addition to his fortunes. Forbes magazine shows only one Iowan on its list of the 400 richest Americans, Harry Stine, who founded Stine Seed in the 1950s. A year ago, Forbes listed Stine's net worth at $3.2 billion, but in the latest list, … [Read more...]
Creighton survey shows a slowdown in manufacturing economy
Prolonged trade wars and a continued shortage of qualified workers are two key factors in the weakening Midwestern economy, according to a survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other states. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the business conditions index sank for the fifth time … [Read more...]
Impact of chicken plant closing shows in Floyd County job numbers
The impact of closing Charles City’s chicken manufacturing plant, called Simply Essentials, forced Floyd County’s unemployment rate to jump. Area Development Corporation director Tim Fox says the numbers from Iowa Workforce Development are troubling. "Our unemployment rate is now the … [Read more...]
Iowa Business Council quarterly survey shows drop in confidence
The executive director of the Iowa Business Council says their third-quarter survey shows weaker confidence among members. Georgia Van Gundy says the survey found sales expectations for the next year were down 24 percent compared to survey results from one year ago. "Due primarily to the … [Read more...]