Business Sphere, Vol. 18, no.3

Iowa may be known for some of the world’s most fertile cropland, but in recent years, we’ve become fertile ground for rapid growth in information technology as well. From the recent “plug-in” of Google’s $600-million Council Bluffs data center to Microsoft’s planned half-billion-dollar West Des Moines expansion to IBM’s 1,300-job-creating expansion in Dubuque, technology leaders are finding Iowa a place to grow. And why not? Iowa has a supportive business climate and its infrastructure — physical and human — give our technology companies the competitive advantages that allow them to grow and prosper.

Business Sphere, Vol. 19, no.3

Iowa may be known for some of the world’s most fertile cropland, but in recent years, we’ve become fertile ground for rapid growth in information technology as well. From the recent “plug-in” of Google’s $600-million Council Bluffs data center to Microsoft’s planned half-billion-dollar West Des Moines expansion to IBM’s 1,300-job-creating expansion in Dubuque, technology leaders are finding Iowa a place to grow. And why not? Iowa has a supportive business climate and its infrastructure — physical and human — give our technology companies the competitive advantages that allow them to grow and prosper.

Business Sphere, Vol. 20, no.2

With its central U.S. location, access to a plethora of agricultural raw materials, a highly educated and skilled workforce, and a supportive state government; food and ingredient manufacturers find many advantages to locating in Iowa. Another major plus for Iowa’s food makers is access to one of the strongest food science and human nutrition programs in the nation, located on the campus of Iowa State University (ISU). At ISU, you will find scientists who will assist your organization in bringing food related innovations in plant, animal and microbial products to commercialization. The Department of Food Sciences and Human Nutrition (FSHN) is jointly administered by the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Sciences. Our mission is to generate new knowledge around food and human nutrition and to promote health through food.

Business Sphere, Vol. 19, no.2

The first commercial quantities of a soybean oil with about three percent linolenic acid oil were produced in Iowa in 1994 through a collaboration with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Continued to breed new soybean varieties with a focus on a even lower linolenic acid content of one percent. I was interested in understanding whether the oil would be stable enough to eliminate the need for chemical hydrogenation. During the process of increasing one percent linolenic acid seed varieties to obtain oil for testing, the Food and Drug Administration announced it would require labeling for trans fat beginning in 2006. Instead of using the seed of the new varieties to obtain oil for testing, it was used for further seed production so that commercial quantities of the one percent linolenic acid oil could be available as quickly as possible.

Business Sphere, Vol. 20, no.1

Wind power is the fastest growing source of energy in the nation. New installations have expanded total U.S. generating capacity by 45 percent and injected over $9 billion in new investments into the economy in 2007. These new wind projects accounted for about 30 percent of the entire new power-producing capacity added nationally in 2007. According to our figures at the American Wind Energy Association, installed wind power capacity in the U.S. is now over 16,800 megawatts, and the future looks bright. With every wind turbine that goes up, America’s dependence on fossil fuels for power generation goes down. Wind energy represents a tremendous opportunity to use a non-polluting, inexhaustible source to meet our electric power needs.

Business Sphere, Vol. 19, no.1

Ethanol, the clean-burning, high octane fuel distilled from Iowa’s corn fields, has the potential to free the U.S. from its foreign oil dependence. Transforming corn into ethanol, however, takes energy, usually in the form of natural gas or coal. Ames-based Frontline BioEnergy is developing biomass-to-energy conversion methods that reduce an ethanol plant’s consumption of fossil fuels, making ethanol an even greener product. As Iowa’s ethanol industry continues to grow, developing energy from biomass could result in huge savings for the state’s production facilities.

Business Sphere, Vol. 18, no.1

Information technology is a strong and important sector of the Iowa economy employing 30,000 Iowans at more than 2,000 companies, according to a new analysis from Battelle Institute consultants. The strength of Iowa’s IT industry is based in the service-segment. Internet and data services, communications network services, and software and computer services constitute 81 percent of all IT employment. Slightly ahead of U.S. trends, these service sectors compose the backbone of Iowa’s IT industry,

Business Sphere, Vol. 21, no.1

These are exciting days in Iowa and the Upper Midwest—the preferred location for developing the green economy and the renewable energy industry. Forward looking policies of Governor Chet Culver, who has set a goal of making our state energy independent, and a ready response to new opportunities are moving Iowa forward in the vanguard of energy transformation. The adoption and consumption of alternative energy will continue to increase. We have succeeded where others are just beginning because we have the grain and crop residues that have made Iowa first in biofuels, sustained winds to get more of our electricity from wind than any other state, and research universities that are hotbeds of renewable energy innovation.

Business Sphere, Special Issue

Food products are a specialization, an industry of excellence, and thelargest sector of manufacturing employment in the state of Iowa. All ofthe top five food companies have operations in Iowa. According to Harris Info Source, manufacturing of foods and ingredients in Iowa employs 58,826 people at 775 plants. Processing and value adding enterprises are fed by nation-leading agriculture. Iowa is the top producer of corn, soybeans, hogs and eggs in the United States.

Targeted Small Business Link, March 2010, Vol. 3, no. 1

Targeted Small Business News from the Business Development Division of the Iowa Department of Economic Development

Targeted Small Business Link, September 2010, Vol. 3, no. 3

Small Business News from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

Targeted Small Business Link, June 2010, Vol. 3, no. 2

Targeted Small Business News from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

Business Disaster Case Management Task Force Report

During the 2010 session, the Iowa Legislature created per House File 2422 a Business Disaster Case Management Task Force. The purpose of the Task Force is to research disaster recovery case management assistance needed for businesses following a major disaster and to recommend steps for providing such assistance following disasters. The Task Force was duly constituted. Its recommendations are contained in this report.

Review of targeted small business procurement activities for the year ended June 30, 2010

Review of targeted small business procurement activities for the year ended June 30, 2010

Licensing and Operating Your Business in Iowa, 2010

The IDED Web site hosts the online Business License Information Center (BLIC) which provides 24/7 access and comprehensive information on compliance requirements for doing business in Iowa. BLIC also provides convenient, effective and timely information on license, permits, and registrations required by the state of Iowa for businesses and occupations. Users may access assistance by license type, keyword, or the business wizard. Many useful factsheets and guides are available at BLIC.