CEO Guide to Site Selection

Iowa

A NEW HUB FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Forbes recently named Des Moines the No. 1 place for young professionals to live. This was based on affordable monthly rent costs, low unemployment, the opportunity to find work quickly and access to vibrant attractions and events. The Census Bureau noted the city is now the fastest-growing metro area in the Midwest, with a population nearing one million residents. Growth is also taking place in the rest of the state. Co-op Solutions announced in June 2023 that it will consolidate its offices for 400 workers in West Des Moines. Collins Aerospace opened a $14 million expansion at its West Des Moines plant, and in April 2023, Michael Foods announced an additional $146 million investment and 186 jobs at its Norwalk egg production facility.

“Iowa businesses are growing because government is getting out of their way.... From cutting taxes and red tape to expanding economic freedom and opportunity, Iowa is growing and providing businesses and our people the freedom to flourish.”
Kim Reynolds
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

New Jobs Training: Provides tax credits for businesses that provide additional training to employees and expand their workforce.

High Quality Jobs: Offers financial assistance to offset the cost incurred to locate, expand or modernize an Iowa facility.

Renewable Chemical Production Tax Credit: Incentivizes the production of high-value chemicals derived from biomass feedstocks.

Research Activities Tax Credit: Offers an additional tax credit for companies that meet the qualifications of the federal research credit for research and development investments.

EDCs

Iowa Economic Development Authority
iowaeda.com

Iowa Area Development Group
iadg.com

Greater Des Moines Partnership
dsmpartnership.com/growing-business-here

Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
cedarrapids.org

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program aims to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in the state’s manufacturing industry. It helps small and mid-sized manufacturers invest in the adoption and integration of smart technologies with grant funding made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

BIG DEALS

  • SubZero broke ground on a $140 million, 600,000-square-foot facility in Cedar Rapids.
  • Atlas Roofing Corporation announced in April 2023 a $224 million manufacturing facility and 117 jobs in Clinton.
  • Italian company SPAL Automotive announced in May 2023 it will establish a $35 million U.S. headquarters and create 39 jobs in Ankeny.
  • Post Holdings announced in May 2023 an expansion and 186 new jobs at its manufacturing and distribution facility in Norwalk.
  • Rilco announced in July 2023 a $25 million investment and 201 new jobs in Des Moines.
  • In September 2023, OpenLoop Health cut the ribbon on renaming their new downtown Des Moines headquarters.

BIG COMPANIES

  • Principal Financial Group (Fortune 500 headquarters)
  • Casey’s General Stores (Fortune 500 headquarters)
  • Meredith
  • American Equity Investment Life Holding
  • Winnebago Industries
  • Renewable Energy Group
  • HNI
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.