AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing: John Deere plans to hire 400 workers and bring 275 employees back to its Waterloo operation, a boost for the region’s workforce. Food Production: Quaker Oats has no restart timeline for its Cedar Rapids plant after an explosion and fire; PepsiCo is still assessing damage. Energy and Data Centers: Alliant Energy secured a $5.1 billion federal loan for Iowa and Wisconsin projects as it targets new data-center power contracts, while Linn County officials oppose a proposed gas plant near Cedar Rapids. Biopharma: Cambrex broke ground on a $120 million Charles City expansion. Agriculture: Iowa corn groups are urging federal action on fertilizer-market competition as growers face rising input costs. Transportation: The new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing is scheduled to open to traffic Nov. 6, improving a key Iowa-Wisconsin crossing. Biofuels: Green Plains agreed to monetize at least $250 million in clean-fuel tax credits generated across its refineries, including Iowa facilities.

Pharma Manufacturing: Cambrex broke ground on a $120 million expansion at its Charles City facility, adding capacity for small-molecule medicines and peptides. The project is expected to finish in late 2028. Energy Investment: A $5.1 billion federal loan package will support Alliant Energy projects in Iowa and Wisconsin, including power generation and battery storage. Data Centers: Blue Origin is planning a Des Moines manufacturing facility, while Microsoft bought 600 acres in Woodward for $95 million, adding to demand for local infrastructure. Pork Markets: CoBank says sluggish U.S. demand and rising production make exports crucial; 2026 pork exports are forecast to grow 2.9%, despite early-summer shipment restrictions to Mexico. Poultry Health: Bird flu was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, prompting a state disaster proclamation and concern for Iowa producers.

Energy: The U.S. Department of Energy closed a $5.1 billion loan for Alliant Energy projects in Iowa and Wisconsin, supporting power generation, battery storage and grid reliability. Data Centers: Microsoft bought 600 acres in Woodward for $95 million, adding to Iowa’s data-center investment momentum; Linn County also approved a Google-funded water study tied to a proposed project. Agriculture: Bird flu was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, prompting a state disaster proclamation. Iowa farmers report good crops and stronger working capital, but high fuel and input costs continue to squeeze margins. Small Business: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sued restaurant software company Toast, alleging misleading pricing, hidden fees and hurdles to canceling subscriptions. Workforce: Iowa launched incentives for new registered apprenticeships, while a construction skills challenge gave high school students hands-on experience with the trades.

Energy Investment: Alliant Energy closed on a $5.1 billion federal loan for power projects in Iowa and Wisconsin, including natural-gas generation and storage; the Department of Energy says the financing will strengthen reliability and lower bills. Poultry: Highly pathogenic bird flu was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, Iowa’s eighth reported case this year. Agriculture: USDA is putting $10 million into Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program, supporting cattle producers and conservation. Manufacturing and Data Centers: Forza is expanding its Council Bluffs plant to meet demand for industrial spray adhesives, while Microsoft reportedly bought 600 acres in Woodward for $95 million. Solar Rules: Page County supervisors delayed a vote on a proposed solar ordinance after residents challenged sharply reduced setbacks and MidAmerican Energy sought an exemption for substation equipment.

Energy: Alliant closed a $5.1 billion federal loan for power generation and storage projects in Iowa and Wisconsin. The company and Energy Department say the investments will strengthen grid reliability and save customers more than $1 billion over time. Data Centers: Microsoft paid $95 million for more than 600 acres in Woodward, fueling speculation about a future data center; no project has been confirmed, and construction is at least two years away. In Linn County, Google will fund an independent water study, with county officials controlling its scope and results. Manufacturing: Iowa Fastener plans an 82,000-square-foot expansion in Ankeny. Nationally, USDA announced $1.3 billion for fertilizer manufacturing projects as Iowa, Ohio and Texas corn growers pressed for action on fertilizer competition. Agriculture and Food Safety: Iowa declared a disaster in Sac County after bird flu was found at a commercial turkey site—the state’s eighth detection this year. Separately, Imperio beef jerky sold in Iowa and six other states was recalled because it used another facility’s USDA inspection mark without approval.

Energy Investment: The U.S. Department of Energy closed a $5.1 billion loan package to Alliant Energy for generation, storage and facility upgrades in Iowa and Wisconsin. DOE says the projects will add 2.6 gigawatts of capacity and save customers more than $1 billion. Manufacturing Growth: Ankeny-based Iowa Fastener plans to invest $10 million to $12 million in an 82,000-square-foot warehouse, keeping 17 jobs and adding three. Food Industry: Iowa-founded FoodChain ID marked 30 years, growing from a Fairfield DNA-testing lab into a food safety and compliance provider serving more than 40,000 customers worldwide. Agriculture: USDA committed $10 million to Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program, supporting pasture and hay ground, water quality and cattle producers. Factory Expansion: Accumold broke ground on a $33.35 million micro-molding expansion, while Blue Origin has signed a large Des Moines lease for a planned manufacturing facility. Industrial Market: Des Moines industrial occupancy improved in the third quarter as leasing offset some new supply, though developers remain cautious about speculative projects.

Manufacturing: Accumold has broken ground on a $33.35 million Iowa expansion, while Blue Origin has signed a large Des Moines lease for a planned manufacturing facility. Plant Safety: An explosion and fire were reported at Iowa’s Quaker Oats plant; details remain limited. Agriculture & Inputs: USDA selected eight fertilizer projects representing $1.34 billion in proposed investment, aiming to expand U.S. supply and ease pressure on farm input costs. Iowa State researchers are also working to scale up bio-based carbon fiber production. Business Ownership: Iowa company Wendler Inc. has transitioned to 100% employee ownership.

Fertilizer Manufacturing: USDA selected eight projects representing $1.34 billion in proposed investment, including about $573 million in federal funding, to expand U.S. fertilizer production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Iowa Agriculture: Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program won a separate $10 million federal award to expand pasture, improve water quality and support cattle producers. Centerville schools are also using Choose Iowa funding to buy locally raised beef for student meals. Industry Growth: Blue Origin plans a Des Moines manufacturing facility, while Bloomfield’s Turbine Controls plans a 41,000-square-foot expansion expected to add 35 jobs. Data Centers: Linn County is considering an independent water study tied to Google’s proposed Palo project as local concerns about data-center impacts grow. Consumer Protection: Iowa joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General over alleged register prices higher than advertised. Separately, USDA recalled Imperio beef jerky sold in Iowa and six other states because it lacked required federal inspection.

Agriculture: USDA is putting $10 million over five years into Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program, helping farmers turn erosion-prone or underperforming cropland into pasture and hay ground. Iowa’s corn harvest reached 47% by Oct. 25, 20 points behind average; soybean harvest hit 78%, six points behind. Workforce and Manufacturing: Kirkwood voters will decide Nov. 3 on an $88 million bond for updated classrooms, labs and career-training facilities. Accumold has also broken ground on a micro-molding manufacturing expansion in Iowa. Digital Infrastructure: Google’s proposed data center in Palo has drawn questions about power and noise, keeping utility capacity and community impacts central to Iowa’s data-center debate. Tourism: A new report puts tourism’s 2025 contribution to Iowa’s economy at $11.3 billion, with a record 46 million visitors.

Biofuels: ADM is upgrading its corn dry mill in Columbus, Nebraska, in two phases that are expected to lift annual processing to 20 million bushels and reduce natural-gas use—an investment tied to growing demand for lower-carbon fuels. Hog Markets: Iowa producers face softer prices: USDA forecasts 2026 hog prices averaging $63.79 per hundredweight, down from $68.80 in 2025, as weak demand and tight packer margins weigh on the market. Data Centers: Microsoft has bought about 600 acres in Woodward for a planned campus, while Google’s Palo project advances; in Council Bluffs, the mayor says an unlawful utility-fee cap cost the city $4.3 million in 2024. Tourism: Iowa drew a record 46.3 million visitors in 2025, generating $11.3 billion in economic impact and supporting 72,196 jobs. Workforce and Manufacturing: Iowa awarded nearly $600,000 to 24 school districts for industry-recognized credentials, and Accumold has broken ground on a micro-molding manufacturing expansion.

Livestock Protection: More virulent PRRS strains are driving interest in barn air filtration, as producers look to limit costly outbreaks in swine and poultry operations. Fertilizer Manufacturing: USDA selected eight projects tied to more than $1.34 billion in proposed investment. One, TalusAg, proposes modular ammonia units across seven states, including Iowa, though specific sites have not been named. Iowa Investment: Accumold has broken ground on a micro-molding expansion, while a separate study projects the state’s data center industry could triple in five years and support thousands of jobs. Agriculture and Water: Iowa dairy producers face both opportunities and risks from a global supply surge, while scrutiny continues over factory-farm permitting amid the state’s water concerns. Emerging Materials: An NSF grant will help Iowa State scale up bio-based carbon fiber, adding to the state’s research-to-manufacturing pipeline.

Small-Business Tech: Eastern Iowa startup Sunnyside Solutions is building point-of-sale systems that help local shops track sales and inventory and cut bookkeeping time. Water & Livestock: An investigation raises concerns about manure runoff and environmental permitting near Iowa hog operations, spotlighting tensions between farm production and water protection. Manufacturing: Accumold has broken ground on an Iowa micro-molding expansion, while an Iowa State project won NSF funding to scale up bio-based carbon fiber. Agriculture: Global supply growth could create both risks and openings for Iowa dairy, as farmers face tight margins and higher fuel and input costs; federal farm relief is on offer. Energy: Linn County supervisors rejected rezoning for Alliant’s proposed Morgan Valley gas plant, though state approval could still override the decision. Data Centers: Google’s proposed Palo project drew questions at a town hall, while growing data-center development is adding pressure to Cedar Rapids’ landfill.

Manufacturing: Accumold broke ground on an Iowa micro-molding expansion, and an NSF grant will help Iowa State scale up bio-based carbon fiber. A steel project headed to Iowa is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs. Agriculture & Food: Harvest is underway amid tight margins and rising input costs. USDA farm safety-net payments reached a record $13.8 billion nationally, including $1.39 billion for Iowa producers. Dairy expansion could bring opportunity, but a proposed billion-dollar plant is drawing concerns over water pollution as global supply surges create risks for the industry. Data Centers & Power: Google outlined more plans for its proposed Palo data center, while data-center waste is straining Cedar Rapids’ landfill. Linn County supervisors rejected Alliant Energy’s rezoning bid for a gas plant; Iowa is also set to receive federal funding to upgrade its power grid. Workforce & Construction: Iowa awarded nearly $600,000 to 24 school districts for industry-recognized credential programs. Newton’s proposed $72 million softball complex is seeking a $7 million forgivable city loan as developers work to secure financing.

Local Development: Newton approved replacing a tax rebate with a $7 million forgivable loan for Green Zebra Midwest’s proposed $72 million sportsplex. The 320,000-square-foot project still lacks financing, and payment depends on completion and tax revenue. Manufacturing: Accumold has broken ground on a $33.25 million Iowa expansion to meet demand for micro-molding. Data Centers & Power: Google shared more details about its proposed Palo data center at a community meeting, where residents raised questions about electricity and noise. Iowa also received nearly $9 million in federal funding for grid upgrades. Agriculture: Federal farm safety-net payments are projected to hit a record $13.8 billion nationwide as producers face weak commodity prices and high costs. Iowa’s harvest is also running behind, with elevated diesel prices adding pressure. Workforce: Iowa awarded nearly $600,000 to 24 school districts to help students earn industry-recognized credentials.

Manufacturing: Accumold has broken ground on a $33.25 million Ankeny expansion expected to add about 150 jobs. The 53,000-square-foot facility will increase production capacity and is slated to open in 2028. Data Centers: Google outlined plans for a proposed $14 billion project near Palo at a community meeting, but key details—including expected power and water use—remain unanswered. Tourism: Iowa welcomed a record 46.3 million visitors in 2025, generating $11.3 billion in economic impact and supporting more than 72,000 jobs, according to a new study. Workforce: The state awarded nearly $600,000 to 24 school districts to expand career programs and help students earn industry-recognized credentials. Agriculture: Harvest is underway amid high diesel costs and tight farm finances; Iowa had six Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings in the third quarter, twice Arkansas’s total. The federal government also announced $1.34 billion for domestic fertilizer production, aiming to reduce farmers’ reliance on imports.

Workforce Pipeline: Iowa awarded nearly $600,000 to 24 school districts to expand career and technical programs tied to industry-recognized credentials, helping prepare students for high-demand jobs. Data Center Investment: Google outlined plans for a 650-acre campus near Palo, projecting $170 million in local tax revenue over 20 years and saying it will cover utility upgrades. Water use remains a key community concern, with separate reports citing projected use of 10–14 million gallons a day. Farm Costs: Rising fuel, fertilizer and seed prices are squeezing Iowa producers. The USDA announced $1.34 billion for eight domestic fertilizer projects, while farmers have questioned whether diesel relief will deliver lasting savings. Pork Production: The U.S. hog herd was 2% smaller than a year ago, and Iowa remained the nation’s largest hog-producing state, with 24.7 million head. Harvest: Combines are moving across Iowa after a wet stretch, though muddy fields continue to challenge farmers. Food Security: World Food Prize volunteers in Des Moines packed nearly 991,000 meals in an hour; organizers said half will stay in Iowa and the Midwest.