‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 17th, 2012
An announcement from Iowa Economic Development Authority came out today with over $1.3 billion being awarded in financial assistance to four companies in Iowa for job creation and expansion projects . The award was approved by the Iowa Economic Development Authority board.
For more information, contact:
Tina Hoffman, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Phone: 515.725.3150 or Cell: 515.783.8225
communications@iowa.gov
Economic Development Board Announces Largest Capital Investment in History of Iowa
February 17, 2012 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board today awarded financial assistance to four companies for job creation and expansion projects. Today’s awards will assist in the creation of 254 new jobs, retention of three jobs and will account for $1.3 billion of new capital investment to the state.
“I am very excited to announce that with action today from the Iowa Economic Development Board, Iowa is one step closer to landing the largest capital investment project in the history of the state of Iowa,” said Governor Terry Branstad.
“In addition to the significant investment Iowa Fertilizer Company’s proposed project would make in southeast Iowa, it will also bring good, high-paying jobs to an area of our state that has had its share of challenges,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Iowa Fertilizer Company is a subsidiary of Orascom Construction Industries, which is one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers. The IEDA Board approved direct financial assistance as well as tax incentives for a proposed project to build a new large-scale fertilizer plant in Wever, located in Lee County. The company is also expected to receive local financial assistance from Lee County and the IDOT board will consider infrastructure assistance. The new plant would supply needed ammonia and other nitrogen fertilizers to farmers in Iowa and the Midwest. The project represents an investment in excess of $1 billion and is expected to create 165 permanent jobs.
In addition to the permanent jobs the project would create, approximately 1,500-2,000 construction-related jobs would also be expected. Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, said, “Iowa Fertilizer Company’s proposed project could have a huge impact for our entire state that will benefit us for years to come. Economic development takes many forms but is best achieved when the assets of the location align perfectly with the strengths of the company making the investment.” She continued, “That is exactly why it is essential we have the right tools to continue to compete for global projects of this magnitude.”
The board also approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in Cedar Falls, Riverdale, and Burlington.
Cedar Falls web strategy company expanding operations
Tactical 8 Technologies LLC (d/b/a T8 Webware), a financial web strategy and personalized services firm, was awarded $45,000 in direct assistance to expand their Cedar Falls facility to develop and implement new products. The company, based out of Cedar Falls, is a provider of custom mobile applications, personalized payment card services and websites to financial institutions. The project is expected to create 15 new jobs and represents a $75,000 capital investment.
Schebler continues to innovate
The Riverdale-based Schebler Company, a leading specialty manufacturer that provides industrial chimney systems, specialty fabrication services, residential and commercial heating/cooling solutions and food manufacturing equipment, was awarded tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs Program. The company proposes to purchase a fully-automatic fabrication system to roll and laser-weld their chimney products that will allow the company to capture additional business from new products, grow their market share of historical products and ultimately enhance overall efficiency and expand capacity. The $1.5 million capital investment is expected to create three new jobs and retain three jobs.
Burlington manufacturer proposes $25.8 million project
The board awarded Winegard Company tax benefits through the Enterprise Zone program. The Burlington company is a leading manufacturer of TV reception products and has outgrown its current facility. As a result, the company is considering the purchase and redevelopment of the Fairway Shopping Center for additional manufacturing and warehouse capacity. The additional capacity will also allow the company to increase market share and provide better process efficiencies. This project is expected to create 71 new jobs.
###
Tags: Iowa Economic Development Authority Board, Iowa Economy
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 1st, 2012
The outlook for Iowa’s economy continues to improve as a new survey of businesses leaders out today predicts solid growth for Iowa and the Midwest.
Here’s the latest from the Associated Press:
A big jump in a monthly survey index suggests more economic growth is ahead for nine Midwest and Plains states.
The Business Conditions Index rose to 55.9 in January, compared with 50.0 in December.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the December report suggested the region’s economy was slowing down because of debt concerns in Europe and the lukewarm U.S. economy. But he says it appears now that December’s “tepid reading was due to seasonal or nonrecurring factors.”
The survey uses a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Goss says that any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline for that factor.
The survey of supply managers covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Tags: Iowa Economy, Midwest Survey
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 5th, 2012
House and Senate leaders toured the state this week to talk about the 2012 legislative session which begins on January 9th in Des Moines.
With stops in Mason City, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal laid out the Democratic agenda for the 2012 session to include helping middle class families, cutting commercial property taxes, passing education reform, reforming Iowa’s mental health system, and establishing other budget priorities for the next year.
“Democrats will work to make more progress on good-paying jobs this year. Our job creation plan will reduce taxes for small businesses and reform our schools to ensure that Iowa students are prepared for the jobs of the future,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. “While Iowa’s economy gains steam, we will do all we can to speed up the recovery and put Iowans back to work.”
“Iowans are tired of the partisan bickering and political games. Democrats are going to work to find common ground on the issues that affect the lives of everyday Iowans,” added House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines.
“We will listen to Iowans and act responsibly to keep the state’s fiscal house in order,” added Gronstal. “If Republicans join us in working together and bargaining in good faith, I’m confident the 2012 session will be a success.”
“Middle class families have been hit hard during the national recession and Democrats will work to make sure that Iowans who work hard and play by the rules get a boost. We will also help Iowa small businesses expand and grow while continuing to keep Iowa a world leader in renewable energy,” concluded McCarthy.
The 2012 session of the Iowa Legislature convenes on Monday, January 9th at 10 am.
Tags: Economy, Jobs, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Gronstal, Session 2012
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 20th, 2011
Iowa’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest that it has been since September of 2009 according to Iowa Workforce Development. Unemployed Iowans fell by 3,700, from 98,700 in October to 95,000 in November, marking the second consecutive month that unemployment has dropped by 100,000.
Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development said, “The large drop in the November unemployment rate, along with an increase in total employment and further expansion in manufacturing, seems to confirm that the recovery has stepped up a notch.”
The monthly jobless rate had been 6 percent for seven months of the first 11 months of 2011. On the other months, it had been at 6.1 percent.
Tags: iowa workforce development, unemployment rate
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 9th, 2011
Iowans looking for work won a big victory today when a district court ruled Governor Terry Branstad’s veto closing down 36 workforce centers across Iowa was unconstitutional.
“After working together across party lines last session to make sure Iowans who need help finding a job could get it, I’m pleased the court overturned Governor Branstad’s veto which shut down 36 workforce centers, including the one in Iowa City,” said Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, who was a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the veto.
“In tough economic times when too many Iowans are out of work, the Governor made the wrong decision to make it more difficult for them to find a job. Many Iowans need help learning new skills to land a good-paying job and small businesses in communities across Iowa rely on these centers to find Iowa workers,” added Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, who also joined the lawsuit. “It’s time to work together to strengthen our economy and help the middle class.”
During the 2011 legislative session, Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature worked together to ensure Workforce Development field offices were adequately funded and language was included in Senate File 517 directing Iowa Workforce Development to keep their current offices open. Governor Branstad ignored the bi-partisan work of the Legislature and vetoed funding for the centers and requirements that they remain open. After a lawsuit was filed challenging the veto in Polk County District Court, a judge today overturned the Governor’s veto and ruled it unconstitutional. State Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, also joined the suit.
Tags: Bruce Hunter, Dave Jacoby, Iowa Workforce Centers, iowa workforce development, job seekers, Kirsten Running-Marquardt, unemployment, workforce office
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
