By: Lea Hensel, Business and Community Services This September, an event is happening in downtown Des Moines that is the first of its kind for our state. The Midwest Food Recovery Summit is bringing together businesses, organizations, and individuals from a wide range of industries for one focus - food. In particular, food waste. While...
"By: Lea Hensel and Cally Reed, UNI Business and Community Services Did you know there are over 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States, according to the latest (2016?) U.S. Census Bureau data? They account for sales/receipts of $1.2 trillion. So we wondered, how does Iowa compare to other states...
By Jayne Armstrong, District Director/Veteran's Business Representative of the SBA's Iowa District Office Giving back to those who served isn’t just patriotic. It also makes economic sense. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes the economic impact of veteran-owned small businesses on the American economy. ★ Veteran-owned businesses generate approximately $1.1 billion...
By Amy Kuhlers IASourcelink, with Bryce Davis, Director of Wright County Economic Development Photo credit: Chad Thompson, The Fort Dodge Messenger In July 2016, the announcement that Prestage Farms planned on building a $240 million pork processing plant in Wright County quickly changed the norm for the citizens and businesses of that region. ...
By: Lea Hensel, Business and Community Services Brian Gumm Founder, Director of Product Development & Roast Production Ross Street Roasting Co. Tama, IA Like many businesses, Ross Street Roasting Co. has the humble beginnings of starting in a basement shortly before that inevitable move to the garage. A garage that faced Ross Street...
By: Joe Bolick, UNI Business and Community Services It’s May. The grass is green, leaves are popping up on trees, flowers are blooming all over town, and thousands of students are graduating college and flooding the job market. How does a 22 year-old kid with very little “real-world” work experience stand...
By Amy Kuhlers, Iowa Economic Development Authority This summer, 32 aspiring entrepreneurs will gather together for a week of learning, mentoring, exploring and pitching - and come away with three college credits for their efforts. For the 12th year in a row, the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) will offer undergraduate...
By Lea Hensel, UNI Business and Community Services Happy National Small Business Week! Each year, the Small Business Administration takes the first week of May to celebrate the 26 million small businesses that strengthen our communities throughout America. And since it started in 1963, one of the highlights is awarding small...
By Lea Hensel, UNI Business and Community Services In keeping with the EntreFEST theme for this month, the Resource Partner Spotlight is centered on the Center for Business Growth and Innovation (CBGI) at the University of Northern Iowa, an organization that has two presentations taking place at the entrepreneurial conference taking...
By Amy Kuhlers, IASourceLink, with Lisa Oetken, Director, Main Street Mount Pleasant Iowa Main Street Challenge Grants have been helping Iowa’s Main Street communities revitalize downtowns for over fifteen years. These dollar-for-dollar match grants leverage four times the state’s investment into rehabilitation projects that help bring life back to underutilized and...
