Iowa Capital Complex Master Plan, April 19, 2000

This document provides design and stratagies for the capital complex. Also for future physical development of the complex.

Iowa Developments, May 2008, Volume 17, Number 3

Business News from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, "Flood and Storm Warning: Be Wary of Impostors Posing as Utility Workers", June 12, 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: "Look Before You Lease!"

Iowa Developments, Volume 17, Number 4

Business news from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

Animal Industry News, March 2008, Vol. 9, no. 1

Newsletter produced by Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship about the animal industry in Iowa.

Iowa Developments, August 2008, Volume 17, Number 5

Business Development news from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

International Update, July/August 2008

International Business Development News

International Update, September-October 2008

Business Development news from the Iowa International Office Trade Team.

Balance Between Investment Protection and Sustainable Development in BITs: the Example of Switzerland

The objective of this article is to examine how substantive and procedural rights granted to foreign investors by Swiss bits are gradually being balanced with social and environmental provisions. Switzerland has enjoyed a long bit practice, as it signed its first treaty with Tunisia fifty years ago. Swiss bits rely on the post-establishment model and include usual standards of treatment. From 1981, they also systematically provide for a dispute settlement mechanism for disputes arising between an investor and a host State. Since the Switzerland - El Salvador bit in 1994, sustainable development concerns have been expressly inserted in some Swiss bits, as well as in several recent free trade agreements. Provisions on this theme are however far from being systematic in Switzerland's bit practice and essentially remain declaratory in nature. The trend towards wider inclusion of sustainable development provisions in bits still faces several practical and political challenges.

Iowa Developments, October 2008, Volume 17, Number 6

Business Development news from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

Long Term Recovery Planning Task Force Report, August 2008

Eighty-five of 99 Iowa counties were declared Presidential Disaster Areas for Public Assistance and/orIndividual Assistance as a result of the tornadoes, storms, and floods over the incident period May 25 through August 13, 2008. Response dominated the state’s attention for weeks, with a transition to recovery as the local situations warranted. The widespread damage and severity of the impact on Iowans and their communities required a statewide effort to continue moving forward despite being surrounded by adversity. By all accounts, it will require years for the state to recover from these disasters. With an eye toward the future, recovery is underway across Iowa. As part of the Rebuild Iowa efforts, the Long Term Recovery Planning Task Force was charged with responsibilities somewhat different from other topical Task Force assignments. Rather than assess damage and report on how the state might address immediate needs, the Long Term Recovery Planning Task Force is directed to discuss and discern the best approach to the lengthy recovery process. Certainly, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor expect the task to be difficult; when planning around so many critical issues and overwhelming needs, it is challenging to think to the future, rather than to rise to the current day’s needs.

Iowa Developments, December 2008, Vol. 17, no. 7

Business Development news from the Iowa Department of Economic Development

International Update, January/February 2009

International Trade News from the Iowa International Trade Office

Main Street Messenger, Spring 2009

Downtown Revitalization News from the Iowa Downtown Resource Center.

Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Investment Bonds: Creating Iowa Jobs by Investing in Iowa Infrastructure, January, 2009

The Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Investment Bonds are exactly that: an investment in Iowa and Iowans. Proposed by Governor Chet Culver in his 2009 Condition of the State address, the Rebuild Iowa bonds are an investment of $700 million to create jobs by addressing much-needed infrastructure projects across the state.