CHARLES CITY – Legislative leaders and local officials have joined Connect Iowa to recognize Charles City and nearby Bremer County for becoming Certified Connected Communities and releasing its technology action plan. “It…
Category: Business
The NorthIowaToday.com Business Section. Business stories and a directory of top North Iowa businesses.
Unemployment lower in all 50 states in 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time since 1984, unemployment fell in every state last year. In 2014, annual average unemployment rates declined in all 50 states and the District of Columbia,…
Radon gas in your home can be deadly; test your home now
AMES, IA – You may not be aware, but radon gas is one of the deadliest carcinogens found in our environment, according to Iowa health officials. “It is nearly invisible to the…
Alliant Energy to recognize completion of Ottumwa Generating Station projects
OTTUMWA, IOWA – Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility recently completed projects at the Ottumwa Generating Station (OGS) are reducing emissions and making Iowa’s air cleaner, the company said. Local and state leaders, labor…
McKesson scores another $170K from Iowa taxpayers
DES MOINES – McKesson Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, will get more assistance from Iowa taxpayers to begin operating in Clear Lake. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board on Friday awarded…
Wal-Mart announces raises for thousands of employees
Propaganda released by Wal-Mart on February 19, 2015: “We had a good fourth quarter to close out our fiscal year, with underlying EPS of $1.61. Walmart U.S. delivered better than expected comp…
Secrecy in Clear Lake ends as McKesson Corporation revealed as mystery company
CLEAR LAKE – The long-awaited revelation of the mystery company that is set to hire 160 in a Clear Lake distribution center was finally made public Thursday. Officials revealed today that McKesson Corporation…
Iowa home health provider penalized for false claims to Medicare and Medicaid
CEDAR RAPIDS – ResCare Iowa Inc. has agreed to pay $5.63 million to the United States and the state of Iowa to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by…
Dumont insurance agent wins statewide woman entrepreneur award
MASON CITY – Shelly Zimmerman, now owner and principal agent at Harrison-Thornburgh Insurance of Dumont in Butler County is the 2015 Iowa Small Business Development Centers’ Deb Dalziel Woman Entrepreneur Achievement Award…
Mason City RadioShack store to close
MASON CITY – Court documents showed today that the Mason City Radio Shack store will close soon. 1,784 RadioShack stores will close by March 31, and a store in Mason City is…
U.S. economy adds 257,000 jobs in January
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. economy added 257,000 jobs in January. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 257,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 5.7 percent, the U.S….
U.S. exports hit new annual record, reaching $2.35 trillion in 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that U.S. exports in 2014 set a record for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $2.35 trillion. International Trade in U.S. Goods…
Judge bars Iowa convenience store owners from selling synthetic drugs, orders $50,000 penalty
DES MOINES – A Polk County judge has ordered a Des Moines convenience store and the couple who own it to pay the state $50,000 and barred them from selling synthetic substances,…
Iowa to receive $21 million settlement from Standard & Poor’s for misleading investors
DES MOINES – Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services LLC (S&P) will pay the State of Iowa $21.5 million in a joint state-federal settlement over allegations that the company misled investors when it rated structured finance securities…
Nearly 200 new jobs coming to Winnebago county
LAKE MILLS – The “home runs” just keep coming for the smaller communities in North Iowa, this time with an announcement of of nearly 200 new jobs in Thompson that will pay…
Ashley Furniture faces $1.76M in fines after OSHA finds more than 1,000 worker injuries at Wisconsin site in past 36 months
Largest furniture retailer in the U.S. exposes employees to amputations, other hazards ARCADIA, Wis. — In a three-and-a-half year period, 4,500 employees at Ashley Furniture Industries Inc., in Arcadia, experienced more than 1,000…
Pilot Travel Center opens in Mount Pleasant, Iowa
MOIUNT PLEASANT, IA – Pilot Flying J has opened a Pilot Travel Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, featuring full amenities for area residents and the traveling public, while adding 100 local jobs…
Winnebago promotes Paula Appel to Marketing Specialist
FOREST CITY – Winnebago Industries, Inc., a leading United States (U.S.) recreation vehicle manufacturer has announced the promotion of Paula Appel to the position of Marketing Specialist. A 15-year veteran of Winnebago,…
Love Strawberry Honeycomb? It’s back
PARSIPPANY, NJ – For the first time in nearly a decade, Post Foods, LLC is bringing Strawberry Honeycomb cereal back to the breakfast table. First introduced in 1983, Limited Edition Strawberry Honeycomb…
Non-credit basic machining course offered at NIACC
MASON CITY – North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is offering a 45–hour, non-credit basic machining course. This course will provide participants with the skills necessary for entry level machinist positions. “Manufacturing…
Hundreds to lose jobs in Iowa as John Deere announces factory layoffs
MOLINE, Illinois – Deere & Company today announced it will make workforce adjustments at several factories in Iowa and Illinois. The actions include indefinite layoffs at five locations that build agricultural equipment…
Winnebago launches Winnebago RV Insurance
FOREST CITY, IA – Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO), a leading United States (U.S.) recreation vehicle manufacturer is announcing a new Winnebago RV Insurance offering. In conjunction with Farm and City Insurance…
Charles City’s Cambrex to increase manufacturing capacity
CHARLES CITY – A large employer in Charles City which manufactures pharmaceuticals is set to hire up to 32 new workers after assistance from the state. Cambrex Charles City, Inc., a subsidiary…
Target gives up on Canada, 17,600 to lose jobs
MINNEAPOLIS – Today Target Corporation announced that it plans to discontinue operating stores in Canada. As a part of that process, this morning Target Canada filed an application for protection under the…
President Sally Mason to retire from the University of Iowa
IOWA CITY – Sally Mason has announced she will retire on August 1st after serving as president of the University of Iowa for eight years. Mason will turn 65 in May and…
Feds approve device that controls hunger in the brain
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the Maestro Rechargeable System for certain obese adults, the first weight loss treatment device that targets the nerve pathway between the…
Private pesticide applicator training to be offered in Buffalo Center
BUFFALO CENTER – Winnebago County Extension will hold a Private Pesticide Applicator’s Re-certification Program at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center on January 16 at 9:30 AM. This training is for all…
Free tax preparation, advice available to military families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the new year comes the annual dread of tax-filing season and the confusion and stress that can go along with it, especially for military families whose tax returns…
Start Smart Workshop to be offered in Clear Lake
CLEAR LAKE – North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a free two-hour workshop designed for anyone who is considering starting a business. At…
Clear Lake council, county supervisors approve economic aid application for secretive warehouse project
CLEAR LAKE – A massive, secretive warehouse project in Clear Lake that has already received millions in assistance may get another boost after local elected officials approved an application to the state…
Now only one insurer offering Iowans coverage through Healthcare.gov
DES MOINES – The state has assumed control of one of the two insurance carriers that had been offering Iowans coverage through Healthcare.gov, the Obamacare website. CoOportunity Health is no longer offered…
Popular coffee maker recalled due to burn risk from spraying hot water
WASHINGTON – At least 7 million coffee makers from a popular coffee machine manufacturer need to be brought in for repairs to avoid the risk of scalding hot water spraying onto unsuspecting…
Winnebago announces election of new management
FOREST CITY, IA – Winnebago Industries, Inc. a leading United States recreation vehicle manufacturer, announced the board of directors have elected two new vice presidents. The Board elected Steve Dummett, 59, to…
Iowa land values drop but are still high; Cerro Gordo down over 13%
AMES – A report from Iowa State University says Iowa land values have dropped off from historic highs in 2013. Since 1941, Iowa State University has conducted an annual land value survey…
International visitors spent $18.5 million for trips to U.S. this year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that international visitors spent $18.5 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States in October, an increase of…
Two Start Smart Workshops to be offered in Mason City
MASON CITY – Two free classes are being offered for anyone who is considering starting a business. Start Smart is being offered by North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), the Small Business…
Waldorf students receive local grant for research
FOREST CITY, IOWA | Two Alpha Chi Grants for Undergraduate Research grants were awarded to Waldorf College students to assist them in academic research and professional growth. Kaylee Vitale, a senior of…
Auto dealership with stores in Iowa slapped with $360,000 fine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against an auto dealer group with retail stores in Iowa for violations of FTC administrative orders, which prohibit the deceptive advertising of…
Woman posing as real doctor told to cease and desist by Iowa Medical Board
DES MOINES – A Waterloo woman has been scolded by the Iowa Medical Board and told to cease and desist from practicing medicine, as she is not an educated doctor. Amy D….
VI-COR sold to New Jersey company
EWING, N.J. – Church & Dwight has completed the acquisition of Varied Industries Corporation (VI-COR), a Mason City manufacturing business. The Company signed an agreement to acquire the assets of VI-COR, a manufacturer and…