(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board has approved a job creation award for a manufacturer in Dubuque as well as innovation funding in support of five startups located in Ames, Des Moines, Klemme and Slater. The board, Friday (today) also approved a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant in Cedar Rapids.

Universal Tank & Fabrication to lease new facility in Dubuque
Universal Tank & Fabrication Inc. manufactures tanks, vessels and weldments for various industries, including water/wastewater, air, biogas and chemical/energy. The company plans to lease a new 28,000-square-foot facility in Dubuque and will install additional equipment. The project represents a capital investment of nearly $3 million and is expected to create 15 jobs at a qualifying wage of $28.96 per hour. The board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Awards made to five startups
Ames-based robotics company Invasive Removal, LLC is developing innovative tools to combat invasive species in forests and prairies. The robotic prototype employs a cut-and-spray method to identify and remove harmful non-native plant species, providing a more accessible and efficient solution. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work, product refinement and key personnel.

Des Moines’ Flete, Inc. produced a workflow management tool for businesses operating a fleet of commercial vehicles. The integrated and automated software offers a customized solution for fleets to stay organized. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for IP development and evaluation, product refinement, key personnel and equipment, and market planning and entry activities.

Upvote, Inc., based in Des Moines, developed a program to automate policy discovery, tracking and analysis for government relations professionals. Legible, the subscription-based product, manages the entire policy lifecycle. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for IP development and evaluation, product refinement, key personnel and administrative operations, and market planning and entry activities.

Renner Ag Solutions in Klemme aims to provide a safer and more efficient solution for the grain storage process. AgriNet, the flagship product, uses technology to operate a device that can clean out grain bins, removing the risk of farmers entering the grain bin for bin sweeps. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, market analysis, proof of concept work, product refinement, equipment and market planning and entry activities.

Slater’s GW Nutrition, Inc. developed technology to improve the acceptance of plant- and algae-based proteins. Their patented CleanSenseTM technology uses a proprietary light delivery system to reduce microbial contamination while also moderating the sensory characteristics (i.e., color, flavor and odor) of alternative proteins. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for equipment and key personnel.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

CAT grant awarded to NewBo City Market

NewBo City Market was awarded $500,000 to execute the Next Level Local project, which will enhance the nearly 21,000-square-foot existing market and add nearly 9,000 square feet of new construction. The unique gathering space in Cedar Rapids will add a new second floor, indoor stage, processing kitchen and recording studio, among other design updates. The market expects to see a 20% increase in visitors per year.

The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.