The Hamilton County town of Jewell could lose its only grocery store unless residents are able to band together and purchase stock to keep the doors open. Sarah Thompson is one of the organizers who called a weekend meeting to offer suggestions on keeping the market from closing. "What we talked … [Read more...]
Regulators approve Alliant electric rate increase, require review of customer relations
The Iowa Utilities Board has given final approval to an agreement with Alliant Energy electric rate increase. Alliant had requested an increase of $204 million in revenue from residential customers. The amount was reduced to $127 million to give the company a 9.5% return. The agreement also … [Read more...]
Creighton survey sees modest growth in Iowa’s economy
A Creighton University survey shows Iowa's economy improved slightly during December, as did economic conditions in the nine-state Midwestern region. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says the boosts were very modest, but both the state and the region strengthened from below growth-neutral in … [Read more...]
Expert: All Iowa merchants need response plan for hacker attack
Iowa business owners need to add one more thing to their list of New Year's resolutions. An expert suggests businesses of all sizes plan ahead for a digital data disaster should hackers ever break into your computer and access your customers' files. Consumer advocate Lara Sutherlin says if you … [Read more...]
Final 2019 survey shows positive outlook for Iowa Business Council members
The final economic survey of the year from the Iowa Business Council shows the leaders of the state's largest businesses are full of optimism for the new year. IBC Executive Director Joe Murphy says some economists have continued to predict the economy is going to slow down -- but he isn't seeing … [Read more...]
Five distinct generations are now a part of the Iowa workforce
For what may be the first time in history, Iowa's workforce is now employing people from five different generations. There's the Traditionalists, born before 1946, the Baby Boomers, the Gen Xers, the Millennials and those from Generation Z. Kathy Joblinske, executive vice president of Iowa … [Read more...]
ISU study: Size matters when it comes to being happy with your house
An Iowa State University study finds people are more likely to be unhappy with their house if it's smaller than their neighbors' houses. Daniel Kuhlmann, an ISU professor of community and regional planning, studied data as far back as the U.S. Census Bureau's 1993 National American Housing … [Read more...]
It’s December 26th and store return counters will be swamped
It's the day after Christmas and Iowa's retail workers are preparing for their busiest day of the year -- for returns. Consumer advocate Michelle Reinen says anyone who got a gift they don't want through online shopping should check to see how best to return the item. "Who's responsible for … [Read more...]
Empty Waterloo factory finds new life as ‘swanky’ hotel
A hulking, vacant John Deere tractor factory in Waterloo that was built in 1947 has been saved from the wrecking ball and transformed into an upscale hotel. Originally called the C2 Building, the six-story structure is now a Courtyard by Marriott. Michael Morain, at the Iowa Department of … [Read more...]
Quad Cities business busy upgrading aircraft to meet deadline
Employees of Quad Cities-based Elliott Aviation are very busy working to help jet owners add new technology and meet new, federal requirements before 2020 arrives. The company has a contract with Garmin to install an avionics package called the "G-5000." Conrad Theisen, Elliott's avionics sales … [Read more...]