Heartland States Warm to 'New Economy' Industries Illinois Launches VentureTECH Investment Program Indiana Dubbed the Silicon Cornfield Iowa Cultivates Technology Sectors Automotive Interests Still Drive Michigan's Economy Medical, Agricultural Industries Thrive in Minnesota St. Louis Area Leads Missouri's Growth Activity Logistics Advantages Bolster Ohio Industry Rockwell Consolidates in Wisconsin Request Information |
Iowa Cultivates
Iowa is becoming a leading Midwest technology "idea" center with growing technology clusters in life sciences, insurance and financial services and software development and advanced manufacturing. Among the recent technological advancements that have taken place there, Diversified Software Industries of Coralville, which is partially owned by Motorola, has developed digital dashboards for the soon-to-be-introduced "smart automobiles."
Etrema Products of Ames has developed a device that, when placed below the ground, vibrates to loosen hydrocarbon fluids and move them to a central area. This could revolutionize the cleanup of underground contamination from abandoned gasoline storage tanks. Advanced Analytical Technologies also located in Ames, has developed the Rapid Bacteria Detector. This detector measures the amount of bacteria present in meat, fruits, vegetables or beverages.
Kemin Industries recently announced a $24 million expansion. The company is receiving a $2.7 million short-term loan for its aggressive plan to develop, produce and market new life sciences products at its facilities in Des Moines. The company is also making investments in an Amish-owned cheese plant in Howard County and a start-up metal fabricating company in Rock Rapids. Recognizing Iowa's potential, Forbes magazine recently named Cedar Rapids and Iowa City among the best cities in America to do business and pursue a career. In a ranking of 200 U.S. metropolitan areas, Cedar Rapids was named 16th. The Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor has received much recognition recently for the growth and breadth of its technology companies. And Iowa City was named best metropolitan area to live in the United States by Editor & Publisher Co. of New York. In total, 315 metropolitan areas were ranked. Companies involved in information solutions also are giving the state a boost. Allied Insurance recently announced a new $135 million home-office facility in a Des Moines Enterprise Zone. Rail and Hail Insurance, the largest crop insurance company in the United States, is making a $23.4 million expansion in Urbandale. The employee base is expected to expand to nearly 200 within the next three years with its upcoming expansion and consolidation of the Agribusiness Division. GMAC Mortgage in Waterloo is expanding its operations into a new 100,000-sq.-ft. (9,300-sq.-m.) facility in Waterloo. Among developments in Iowa's advanced manufacturing sector, Quaker Oats is investing $66 million on a massive conversion to high-efficiency manufacturing at its Cedar Rapids facility. Generac Power Systems will build an $11 million manufacturing plant in Maquoketa. And Pella Corp. is undertaking $39 million in new construction projects that will create 650 jobs in Story City, Sioux City and at its Pella headquarters in Pella. ConAgra Frozen Foods is expanding its Council Bluffs plant to the tune of $6.4 million to serve growing national markets. The facility has qualified for tax incentives, because this activity is happening under Iowa's Enterprise Zone program.
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