DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa board has approved nearly $16 million in investments in three companies across the state. The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced the grants Friday for projects in Sioux City, West Des Moines and Knoxville. The board also approved an additional $19.8 million in tax refunds for Google Inc.’s Council Bluffs data center, bringing its total tax incentives to more than $36 million.

Curly’s Foods, a Sioux City processed meats producer, has been awarded tax breaks for an expansion project expected to create 30 jobs. Software developer FunnelWise is slated to receive $150,000 in direct financial assistance for a move to Des Moines, creating 14 jobs and retaining six others.

Knoxville’s Weiler gets $600,000 and tax benefits to expand manufacturing at its heavy road equipment plant for 106 new jobs.

A 9-1-1 dispatcher with Pottawattamie County Communications received a Life Saving Award, Thursday, for her role in saving the life of a man suffering from cardiac issues.

Pott Co. Communications Operator Elizabeth Cleveland (Center) (Photo from the Pott. Co. Sheriff’s Office Facebook page)

Operator Elizabeth Cleveland answered a 911 line during the early morning hours of October 16th. A frantic female caller said her dad was having trouble breathing. While rescue was being dispatched, Cleveland spent 9 minutes on the phone keeping the caller calm and giving her instructions for CPR, until help could arrive.

Cleveland also repeated instructions when the caller’s mother took over compressions, giving positive reinforcement and counting with her. She remained on the line giving instructions until she could hear a Deputy on scene using an Automated External Defibrillator. Lewis Township Rescue transported the patient to Jennie Edmundson Hospital at around 12:30-a.m. A diagnosis revealed the patient had suffered from a neurological event which lead to cardiopulmonary arrest. He was discharged from the hospital a few days later.

The award was presented in conjunction with National Telecommunications Week.

Firefighters in Harlan responded to the scene of a structure fire late Thursday night. The blaze at 1622 Willow Street was reported shortly after 11-pm.  Occupants of the house said that a woman was laying on the couch when she saw an orange glow in the vicinity of the kitchen.

When she got up to investigate, she saw that the glow was coming from the garage area and opened the door. Flames then erupted into the rest of the home. The couple and their baby escaped the home with only the female’s hand being burned from the hot door.

The Harlan Fire Department was on the scene for about 2 ½ hours. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The occupants of the home mentioned that they did not have smoke detectors in the residence. Harlan Fire Chief, Roger Bissen, reminds anyone that does not have a smoke detector in their home to call the Harlan Fire Department. The department has detectors available free of charge.

(KNOD)