February 17, 2023 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for three Iowa companies, which will assist in the creation and retention of 364 jobs and result in nearly $75.5 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Elkader, Manning and Oskaloosa.

Mobile Track Solutions to upgrade Elkader facility
Mobile Track Solutions, LLC develops and manufactures quality construction-grade equipment, including tractors, scrapers and towed implements. The company plans to make improvements to their Elkader facility, which will result in the ability to manufacture additional equipment as well as make further investments in research and development. The project represents a nearly $4 million capital investment and is expected to create 30 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $18.44 per hour. The board awarded tax benefits and a $250,000 forgivable loan through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Puck Custom Enterprises to make investment in Manning facility
Founded in 1979, Puck Custom Enterprises designs, develops and manufactures complete systems of equipment to pump liquid through lay-flat hose, offering products under the brands BullDog Hose, US Coupling and Light Speed. The company plans to invest in its Manning facility with new manufacturing equipment. The project represents a $3 million capital investment and was awarded tax benefits and a $150,000 forgivable loan through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 40 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $19.75 per hour.

Clow Valve to modernize Oskaloosa facility
Clow Valve Company, with a foundation in Oskaloosa since 1909, produces valves and fire hydrants for water distribution systems throughout the U.S. The company plans to continue investing in their iron foundry by replacing outdated equipment with state-of-the-art equipment and automation. The project will allow Clow Valve to continue operations and retain 294 employees at a qualifying wage of $24.55 per hour. It represents a capital investment of $68.5 million and the board awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested Wednesday evening at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Child Endangerment. 23-year-old Faith Leann Clemmons, of Emerson, faces two counts of Child Endangerment. Her bond was set at $10,000.

And, early Thursday morning, 46-year-old Sean Eugene Hicks, of Emerson, was arrested for Misuse of 911 Communications. His bond was set at $300.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident Thursday morning on 310th and Noyes Avenue. A 2001 Chevy driven by 21-year-old Jamison Detrick, of Shenandoah, was northbound on 310th Street and approaching the intersection with Noyes Avenue, behind a 2011 Ford, driven by 64-year-old Valeri Albertson, of Riverton. Albertson was behind a non-contact snowplow and directly in front of Detrick’s vehicle.

Detrick failed to stop in a clear and assured distance, and rear-ended the Ford. Authorities say the roadway was slick due to a snowstorm at the time.

(Radio Iowa) – A new report has found the state’s nursing homes are facing significant financial challenges — and there’s been an 11 percent decline in the workforce for Iowa’s senior care services since the start of the pandemic. The report is from LeadingAge Iowa, a group that represents non-profit assisted living centers, home health care services and nursing homes. Matt Jahn is the Director of Health Services at Stonehill Communities in Dubuque, where there’s a long waiting list. “Because of the continued staffing shortages and the reimbursement challenges to pay more competitive wages for all of our caregivers, we’re kind of at a standstill with being able to move ahead and continue to serve more Iowans that need care,” he says.

Nearly eight out of 10 Iowa nursing home managers say they’ve used temp agencies to fill staffing gaps. Julie Thorson is the President and C-E-O of Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. She says they’re trying to hire and keep full time staff.  “We have done everything from you know the basic – raise wages, of course, and then offer many bonuses,” she says, “whether it’s thank you bonuses or COVID bonuses.”

The report from LeadingAge Iowa found operating costs for providers of aging services increased 16 percent during the past two years. The revenue from patient care, however, rose less than half that amount. The Medicaid program pays for the care of over half of Iowa nursing home residents, but an analysis by the Iowa Health Care Association indicates Medicaid’s reimbursement rates fall about 20 percent short of actual costs.

If Medicaid rates aren’t raised, the report from LeadingEdge Iowa concludes there will be an unprecedented wave of nursing home closures. Last year, 17 nursing homes in Iowa closed and — since the beginning of THIS year — five more Iowa nursing homes have announced plans to close.

(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced financial assistance for three companies in Iowa in the first round of innovation awards funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The startups are located in Algona, Coralville and Des Moines.

Iowa’s SSBCI program, announced in October 2022, is a $96 million investment in growing Iowa’s small businesses, including startups, manufacturers and businesses owned by veterans and individuals from diverse backgrounds. The State of Iowa was awarded the federal small business aid program to expand access to capital for small businesses to help them recover from the pandemic, grow and create high-quality jobs. As one of the four areas established under the initiative, the Innovation Fund increases funding opportunities across Iowa’s innovation continuum to assist entrepreneurs through concept, launch and expansion.

Innovation Fund awards
Manufacturing startup Kinetic Technologies, LLC in Algona streamlines the integration process for collaborative welding robots, improving turnaround time for production. They developed a fixturing product to pair with engineering services to make deployment scalable. The company was awarded a $175,000 Demonstration Fund loan for market planning and entry activities, key personnel and equipment.

Coralville-based IntelliSee creates “Smarter Surveillance for a Safer World” by autonomously monitoring an organization’s existing surveillance cameras 24/7/365 with artificial intelligence (AI) that detects threats, risks, and hazards. The AI’s real-time alerts allow for risk avoidance, prevention and mitigation through quick action and improved situational awareness. The company was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel loan for product refinement and key personnel.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Bristola is a leading renewable energy technology and maintenance services company targeted at the renewable energy digester and liquids storage industry verticals. The patented technology cleans and inspects digesters and covered storage tanks without disruptions to ongoing operations, eliminating worker exposures and allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective process. The company was awarded a $175,000 Demonstration Fund loan for product refinement, key personnel and equipment.

Award recommendations for the SSBCI innovation funding are made by the SSBCI Review Committee to the IEDA executive director for approval. The committee met on February 7, 2023 for the first time and will meet bi-monthly to review eligible applications. Additional information on application process, deadlines and eligibility can be found at iowaeda.com/innovate.