Iowa Economic Development Authority

The Iowa Arts Council is proud to announce the Iowans Create Community Mural Contest! 🎨 Show us how your community showcases hometown spirit and the people that make it a great place to live, work and play for both local residents and visitors for the chance to win a one-of-a-kind mural for your community (designed and hand-painted by an Iowa artist!) 🖌️

To recognize the importance of unity, community spirit and unique creative and cultural identity, we're inviting cities, municipalities or economic development organizations to submit a video showcasing their community spirit and authentic sense of place!

Video submissions are open NOW through October 4, 2024! 🎬
Click here to enter: https://woobox.com/we4gbt

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Life in Iowa means you get to spend your time (and money) making memories that will last a lifetime! ☀️

And with award-winning cuisines and flavors, internationally renowned events and 2,500 miles to explore, the things to do in Iowa are never ending (and only a short drive away!) Celebrate in Iowa this August and make every day extraordinary: https://bit.ly/3YXxft9

New Main Street Iowa Community: ⭐ Boone ⭐

Congratulations to Boone for being named one of the newest Main Street Iowa communities 🎉 Boone’s community spirit is nothing short of amazing. After rallying together, leaders renewed their focus on historic preservation and architecture in their downtown area- seeing incredible growth and welcoming 15 new businesses in just two years! The city also recognizes its residential demand for housing and plan to add or renovate upper-story living, plus create short-term rentals for those visiting the Boone County Fair, International Motor Contest Association Super Nationals at the Boone Speedway and Farm Progress Show- events that attract locals and visitors alike!

Joining 51 other Main Street Iowa communities, we’re excited see the what the future holds for Boone, and to showcase what Iowa's downtowns can achieve!
https://bit.ly/3Aeitno

New Main Street Iowa Community: ⭐ Indianola ⭐

Congratulations to Indianola for being named one of the newest Main Street Iowa communities 🎉 Leaders from Indianola have continued to drive traffic to their town square by addressing the walkability, streetscape, blighted buildings, and business climate. With a population of 16,000, this community has become a notable alternative to Des Moines for both residents and visitors, boasting vibrant spots like the Des Moines Metro Opera and Simpson College, along with major attractions and events such as the annual National Balloon Classic and the Warren County Fair. 🎈

Indianola joins 51 other Main Street Iowa communities, and we’re excited see what they have in store for the future!
https://bit.ly/3Aeitno

We're also thrilled to announce that four additional small businesses from Main Street Iowa districts received grants after successfully pitching their expansion ideas before a panel of judges, part of the final round of Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business contest! 🎉

⭐ Goldfinch Tap + Eatery in Marion
⭐ Holtz Service and Small Engine in Avoca
⭐ BlueMoon Holistic Wellness in Nevada
⭐ Corning Family Chiropractic, PC in Corning

"Everyone deserves to go home a winner tonight," IEDA Director Debi Durham said. "These incredible business plans reaffirm the importance of our Main Street programs, which serve as a conduit for small business growth and retention and play a crucial role in making our communities places where people want to visit and live."

⬇️ Read the full press release for more details!
https://bit.ly/3yvYwb9

Iowa Downtown Resource Center

Thyme & Spice Co. of Burlington Wins Pitch Contest for Main Street Businesses | IEDA Small businesses in Avoca, Corning, Marion, and Nevada also take home awards

Congratulations to Thyme & Spice Company in Burlington for being named winner of the Open 4 Business Pitch Competition and receiving the People's Choice award! Travis and Ashlyn Long opened their modern version of a spice and tea shop in 2021. Today, their local business features 350 individual spices, herbs, and botanicals from around the globe!

Ashlyn Long shared with the judges, “We love bringing new flavors to our community, but owning a small business is hard. Big-box stores can’t offer you the type of experience we can.”

The Open 4 Business program supports business development in Main Street Iowa districts, where finalists pitch their ideas live for a chance to win a $20,000 grant. Travis and Ashlyn plan to use the grant to expand their shop with exciting features like a refill program for olive oils and vinegars, product sampling, and discounts for returning empty bottles.
➡️ https://bit.ly/3WSU0Nl

Iowa Downtown Resource Center

What do Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Rob Zombie, and Snoop Dogg have in common? They’ve all entertained crowds within the historic walls of the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines. 🎶🎸

Sam Summers, the creator of the Hinterland Music Festival and numerous other entertainment ventures, recognized the significance of the Val Air Ballroom and its impact on people across the U.S. So, when the building went up for sale in 2016, Sam made a plan to preserve its legacy and welcome the next generation of world class musicians - and to continue its legacy as a hub for building relationships and creating experiences for music lovers.

Read more about the revitalization of the historic Val Air Ballroom and how Sam has played a key role in elevating Iowa's music scene.
https://bit.ly/3Wtj244

Iowa's thriving insurance sector is at the forefront of innovation and growth! But did you know that Iowa is home to over 7,000 finance and insurance companies? Home to a multitude of large companies in insurance and finance, Iowa’s nationally recognized research centers and low cost of doing business give companies operating in the state a huge competitive edge.

Learn more about why Iowa is the new insurance capital in the nation.

Why Iowa is the New Insurance Capital of the Nation Iowa offers a pro-business environment where innovation and growth aren’t only encouraged, they’re incentivized.

Iowa is home to many big-hearted communities, each offering a unique experience, including the support and connections you need to live the life you want. Muscatine, located along the Mississippi River, is a gem with its small-town charm, picturesque views, and abundant recreational activities. (Plus, is home to the World’s Largest Watermelon sculpture, painted by local artist Johan Umana, in Muscatine’s Riverside Park!)
Discover more about Muscatine: https://bit.ly/4fdeV4M

Visit Muscatine
City of Muscatine, Iowa
Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Muscatine - This Is Iowa Muscatine represents a gem along the riverbanks. It’s rich in history as well as small-town charm and picturesque views.

Whether you bike for a passion or a past time, we can't deny that Iowa has some of the best biking trails around! As RAGBRAI begins, we're eager to see the thousands of riders bike their way through some of Iowa's iconic landscapes and communities!

RAGBRAI LI is officially here 🚴‍♂️ Riders and spectators alike have traveled from across the globe to experience this epic eight-day festival through Iowa's charming communities! 🏁

The key to Iowa’s best whiskey? Corn 🌽 It’s no surprise that Iowa leads the nation in corn production, and we’re lucky for it! While the state’s cornfields significantly contribute to our food supply, they also play a role in fueling Iowa’s distilleries - just ask Century Farms Distillery.

Discover how this distillery is crafting a flavorful experience, with corn as their secret ingredient: https://bit.ly/3Wv3duU

Iowa farmers markets are more than just a summertime must! They bring together big-hearted communities to enjoy locally grown produce and cultural richness - making it even easier to picture yourself living ✨ and thriving ✨ here.

Find a list of Iowa's farmers markets here: https://bit.ly/3zBG4Ol

Home to major global brands for our nutrient-rich land and low-cost of doing business, Iowa is a powerhouse in food and ingredient manufacturing 🌽 And the IEDA team are exciting to share about Iowa's leadership in research and innovation at the IFT - Institute of Food Technologists Food Expo in Chicago next week!

Learn more about the thriving community of food and ingredient manufacturers and how companies are finding success in Iowa:
https://bit.ly/4cyEhs7

Iowa Food & Ingredient Manufacturing 29 of the largest 100 food manufacturers have Iowa operations, including global companies like Barilla, Hormel, Kraft Heinz, Nestle, Quaker Oats, Tyson and Wells Enterprises.

It's essential to have recreational amenities that our residents and tourists can enjoy. Being known as the World Capital of Trails (with 2,500 miles to explore) it's no secret that Iowa is becoming a top destination for all outdoor enthusiasts!
From larger cities to rural communities, spend more time doing the things you love by exploring Iowa's parks, recreation areas and more!


https://bit.ly/3xSbY8U

Live bigger, save more (and find opportunities around every corner!) That's what you get when you live in Iowa.

Compare your cost of living and see how much you could save in Iowa with just a few simple clicks: https://bit.ly/3WcjXqT

Calculate Your Cost of Living in Iowa | This is Iowa Use the calculator tool from This is Iowa to find how much it would cost to relocate to Iowa from your state and calculate your unique living costs in Iowa.

From the heart of Iowa to your table, taste tradition and innovation at Hinterland Dairy 🧀✨

The Krogmeier's, owners of Hinterland Dairy, have milked cows in the beautiful rolling hills of southeast Iowa since 1978, showcasing how dairying is not just an occupation, but a way of life. Today, they're churning the wheels to using that milk to produce the highest-quality cheese in Iowa.

Discover how the Krogmeier family’s dream turned into a delicious reality:

The Wheels Keep Churning | Hinterland Dairy | This is Iowa Hinterland Dairy in Donnellson, Iowa transformed from a traditional dairy farm to a creamery.

“Looking back to California, our kids couldn’t really run around," says Emily and Stephen Stiles, who recently made the move to Sioux Center, Iowa from the west coast. "So, we wanted land here where they could play outside and get dirty, and we didn’t feel like we were stuck in our space."

Beyond the benefits of equity and financial security, Iowa's affordable housing opportunities from purchasing a beautiful home to renting a stylish apartment, means you can live bigger for less(er)!

See how these Iowa transplants found a home and community they can thrive in: https://bit.ly/3zfpKD1

Congratulations, City of Bondurant, on preparing nearly 270 acres for industrial development! Nice to celebrate two more Iowa Certified Sites that are open for business! Bondurant is now leading the state with four sites having achieved the status since IEDA launched the program in 2012.

IEDA Director Debi Durham joined local officials to mark the accomplishment and applaud the community’s dedication to business attraction and job creation.

Iowa’s Certified Sites program makes it easy for companies looking to move or expand. Read the full press release here: https://bit.ly/4eAN9yX

This Juneteenth, we’re reflecting on Iowa’s role as a Civil War-era refuge for slaves coming from the southern border. Mount Pleasant, the host city for our Preserve Iowa Summit this month, served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and a hub for abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. The community has worked hard to preserve and even transform historic treasures like Second Baptist Church, the oldest African American church in Iowa. As Iowans, we build a better future by preserving stories so they can be told for generations to come.

"The success of our business has been deeply shaped by invaluable lessons imparted by my mom." says Meredith Wells, co-owner of MōMere, a home, gift, and apparel store located in historic Valley Junction. Meredith and her mother, Kay Schiller, opened MoMere in 2013 with a dream of creative retail passion, and since then, they’ve expanded their business while maintaining a commitment to building deep-rooted ties within the community.

Read Medium's inspiring feature on Meredith and Kay and their journey of building a successful life and career in Iowa: https://bit.ly/3Vv8aC7

Mothers Who Inspire: Stories of 37 Mothers Who Helped Their Children Succeed in Life and In… Motherhood is a source of inspiration and strength for many, shaping not only families but also businesses and careers. In this special…

Iowa is an engine for wind generation - check out this latest feature from CBS News on how wind energy is helping Iowa families:
https://cbsn.ws/3z1lwib

An Iowa farmer had $350,000 in debt. Wind turbines are helping her get out. Over 6,000 wind turbines produce about 60% of Iowa's energy. They also help struggling farmers offset losses.

The Iowa Arts Summit, the state’s leading professional development and networking event for Iowa’s arts and creative community, brings together creatives, nonprofit professionals and community leaders for a day of networking, learning and celebrating the arts in Iowa.

Read the latest Iowa Arts and Culture newsletter to find captivating sessions from leading art experts across the state at the Iowa Arts Summit: https://bit.ly/3wYkYsP

Coolest Thing Made in Iowa? The ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler manufactured by Pella-based Vermeer Corporation!

Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) The Coolest Thing Made in Iowa helps to showcase the best of Iowa manufacturing, especially as the manufacturing sector in Iowa is a diverse and rewarding field that offers a great deal of opportunities for professional, community and industry growth - and plays a central role in the economy, accounting for 17% of the state's GDP!

Congratulations!

Vermeer’s self-propelled baler is Coolest Thing Made in Iowa The coolest of the cool products manufactured in the Hawkeye State is an innovative piece of equipment designed to make the grueling work of baling hay a

With nearly 2,500 miles of beautifully paved trails across the state, it's no surprise that Iowa is known as the World Capital of Trails 🥾
Explore countless hiking and biking trails along vibrant communities, all while soaking in the scenic views of Iowa's most iconic landscapes!

Looking to save more and live bigger? Iowa is the place for you! 👏🏻 Davenport was recently ranked #5 for most affordable places to live in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report. Along with a low cost of living, communities across Iowa offer robust career opportunities and an outstanding quality of life. What better time than now to make your move!

Read more:

These Are the Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S. When it comes to housing costs, these metro areas allow your paycheck to go further.

Congratulations to Maytag Dairy Farms-Maytag Blue Cheese for being named THE 2024 sofi™ Award Winner for Cheese - Cow Milk by Specialty Food Association!

Maytag Dairy Farms located outside of Newton, Iowa has been producing their world-renowned (and delicious) Blue Cheese since 1941! Check it out:

Maytag Dairy Farms