AGP Executive Report

Energy & Data Centers: Linn County’s zoning panel deadlocked on Alliant Energy’s proposed Morgan Valley gas plant, leaving supervisors to weigh the rezoning request amid questions about need and environmental effects. Microsoft has also bought about 600 acres in Woodward for a proposed data center campus, with city approvals still ahead. Manufacturing: Accumold has broken ground on a $33.25 million expansion to meet demand for micro-molding; Wellman Dynamics workers in Iowa voted to unionize. Agriculture: Iowa farmers face high diesel costs and a harvest still trailing average pace. The USDA announced $8 billion in nationwide fuel relief, while Iowa temporarily relaxed rules on dyed diesel for farm-related loads. Infrastructure: Iowa is set to receive nearly $9 million in federal funding to modernize the power grid and improve reliability. Mining & Land: Four abandoned-mine reclamation projects in Mahaska and Marion counties will cover about 150 acres, with nearly $4.9 million aimed at improving water quality and soil health.

Farm Costs: The Trump administration announced an $8 billion relief package as diesel and fertilizer prices squeeze farmers during harvest; an Iowa farmer says diesel is costing him an extra $1,000 a day. Transportation: North Liberty-based Heartland Express reported third-quarter revenue of $179.5 million and net income of $1 million, while improving its operating ratio from a year earlier. Energy and Data Centers: Alliant Energy’s proposed Linn County power plant heads to county supervisors after a planning commission tie vote, with residents raising environmental and cost concerns amid growing electricity demand. Food and Agriculture: Des Moines opened the 40th Borlaug Dialogue, bringing more than 1,200 global food-system leaders to Iowa. Jobs: Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.2% in September, its fifth straight month unchanged.

Agriculture: Iowa’s corn and soybean harvest remains about 20 percentage points behind its five-year pace after a wet September. Farmers are also facing higher fuel and input costs, weaker margins and market uncertainty as harvest intensifies. Jobs & Manufacturing: A North Iowa RV maker plans to cut 50 jobs, while an Iowa manufacturer is among those hit by further layoffs amid restructuring and tariffs. The state’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September. Business Growth: Echo Electric moved its Mason City branch to a larger Clear Lake facility, tripling its space to expand inventory and serve industrial, commercial and residential customers. In southwest Iowa, Joe George has taken a new regional economic development role aimed at attracting businesses and supporting growth. Energy & Development: Linn County supervisors approved a host agreement ahead of a vote on the proposed Morgan Valley gas plant, as data-center power needs fuel debate over Iowa’s energy options.

Iowa Jobs: The unemployment rate held at 3.2% for a fifth month, but the number of Iowans working fell by more than 4,000 in September. Healthcare and construction employment reached record levels, while manufacturing shed jobs. Energy & Data Centers: Sioux County’s proposed data-center rules move to a final vote Oct. 27 as Linn County residents raise emissions concerns over a proposed gas plant. Separately, the federal government is backing a restart of Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant as electricity demand grows. Biofuels & Crops: The EPA plans to restore more than 770 million renewable-fuel credits to 2026–27 blending requirements, a potential boost for Iowa ethanol producers and corn growers. Iowa specialty-crop projects will receive more than $435,000 in federal grants. Harvest: USDA reports Iowa’s corn was 95% mature and 14% harvested; soybeans were 31% harvested.

Manufacturing: Winnebago Industries will cut 51 jobs at its Forest City specialty-vehicles operation on Nov. 9, citing softer demand and dealer inventories. The move follows more than 300 Iowa layoffs since 2025, as tariffs add pressure to production costs. Energy: The federal government is offering up to $4.4 billion to restart three shuttered nuclear plants, including Iowa’s Duane Arnold Energy Center, as electricity demand grows. Agriculture: USDA raised its U.S. corn and soybean production forecasts, projecting record soybean output, while harvest progress remains behind average. Food and Feed: The FDA approved Kemin Industries’ chromium propionate for broiler breeder and laying-hen diets, expanding its use in poultry and livestock feed. Workforce: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September, while healthcare and construction employment reached record levels. Sixteen Iowa businesses also received grants for advanced-manufacturing training.

Rural Water: A new analysis found organic farming was linked to 32% less nitrogen leaching, as rural communities face rising costs to treat drinking water. Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn also pointed to water quality and cancer rates as concerns for the state. Manufacturing: A North Iowa RV maker plans to cut 50 jobs, while a Maquoketa metal business plans to more than double its size. A proposed Lee County steel mill remains a major economic and policy debate. Agriculture: Wet fields have slowed Iowa’s harvest: 14% of corn and 31% of soybeans were harvested, both well behind five-year averages. A proposed EPA rule could help protect corn ethanol demand by requiring larger refineries to make up for waived blending requirements. Energy: A wind project is moving ahead in Des Moines County, and Linn County supervisors approved a host agreement for a proposed power plant. Concerns about grid readiness and water use are also growing as data center development advances.

Farm & Fuel: Wet fields have left Iowa’s harvest well behind pace: 14% of corn and 31% of soybeans were harvested, both far below five-year averages. The EPA’s proposal to make larger refineries replace biofuel volumes waived for smaller ones could help protect demand for Iowa corn ethanol and related jobs. Energy: Federal financing of up to $4.4 billion is aimed at restarting three closed nuclear plants, including Iowa’s Duane Arnold Energy Center, as electricity demand rises with data centers and manufacturing. The plants could restore 2.25 gigawatts of power. Manufacturing: Winnebago Industries’ Forest City plant has cut 78 jobs, including 51 in a new round of layoffs, adding pressure to Iowa’s RV sector. Workforce: A South O’Brien science teacher’s six-week placement at Sheldon manufacturer Rosenboom linked classroom learning with plant operations, part of a state program building ties between schools and Iowa businesses.

Defense Manufacturing: The Army plans to detonate 68 barrels of obsolete lead azide at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in November. The controlled blast will pause construction on the nearby 155mm artillery production line for about four hours. Manufacturing: Maquoketa’s Mississippi Valley Metals plans a nearly $2 million industrial park facility that will more than double its footprint. The first phase is due to open in 2028, with room to expand. Agriculture & Food Processing: Iowa has opened grants to help expand meat processing, including equipment support for community meat lockers. Dry weather also helped farmers regain ground on a harvest delayed by September rain. Workforce: Iowa awarded advanced-manufacturing training grants to 16 businesses, while NIACC will receive $528,000 to expand short-term workforce programs. Energy: Nuclear power is part of Iowa’s discussion about attracting data centers, as communities weigh the infrastructure and energy needs of new projects.

Energy & Data Centers: Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant is among three shuttered reactors targeted for restart with up to $4.4 billion in federal loans, as electricity demand grows from data centers and industry. Workforce Pipeline: Kirkwood Community College’s proposed $88 million bond would modernize training facilities for trades, health care and cybersecurity—fields facing strong demand. Farm Operations: Iowa temporarily suspended state taxes and penalties on dyed diesel used to transport specified agricultural products, through Feb. 4, 2027; other uses remain prohibited. Industry Growth: Iowa opened grant applications to expand meat processing, while 16 businesses received advanced manufacturing training grants.

Energy and Data Centers: The federal government is working to restart Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant as electricity demand rises. A state task force says nuclear investment could also open opportunities for Iowa manufacturers and construction firms. Workforce: NIACC will receive $528,237 to expand short-term training in advanced manufacturing, construction, skilled trades and health care. Food Processing: Iowa has set aside $105,000 for grants of up to $20,000 to help small meat processors buy equipment and expand capacity; applications are due Nov. 20. Farm Innovation: Grinnell farmer Braxton Brand has turned spray-drone work into a growing custom application business, targeting 10,000 to 15,000 acres a year. Labor Market: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September, while health care and construction employment reached record levels. Farm Support: Farmers can apply for crop-insurance discounts by planting fall cover crops.

Jobs: Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 3.2% in September, while healthcare and construction employment reached record highs. More than 60,000 jobs remain open statewide. Agriculture: Farmers can apply for a $5-per-acre crop insurance discount for eligible cover crops; nearly 1.4 million acres are enrolled in Iowa’s cover-crop program this fall. A record U.S. soybean crop is also expected to lift exports. Data Centers & Energy: Sioux County’s proposed data-center rules are headed for a final reading after debate over power costs, farm impacts and protections for neighbors. Construction: Davenport-based McCarthy Improvement named Coty Fournier president. The heavy civil and industrial contractor has served clients across the Midwest and Southeast since 1897. Hospitality: Cedar Crossing Casino in Linn County plans to open Nov. 19, six weeks ahead of schedule, following a reported $275 million investment.

AI Accountability: Iowa joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled families and endangered children; the state is seeking enforcement under its consumer-protection law and stronger safeguards. Agriculture: Iowa awarded 13 specialty-crop grants totaling more than $435,000 for research, education and market development. Infrastructure: Cedar Rapids completed the 164-foot tower for Alliant Energy’s LightLine pedestrian bridge, part of a project connecting two neighborhoods across the Cedar River. Manufacturing: Winnebago Industries is laying off more workers at its Forest City plant. Iowa also awarded an initial $1.4 million to expand advanced-manufacturing workforce training. Steel: A proposed Lee County mill could bring 1,700 permanent jobs and 6,000 construction jobs, but its $1.4 billion incentive package and environmental impact remain under scrutiny. Data Centers: Iowa residents are raising health and environmental concerns over rapid expansion, even as Salix approved a memorandum of understanding with Google.

Manufacturing: Winnebago Industries is laying off workers at its Forest City facility. Iowa has also awarded $1.4 million to expand advanced-manufacturing workforce training. Agriculture & Innovation: Corteva marked Pioneer’s 100th anniversary in Johnston, celebrating a century of seed breeding that began with Henry A. Wallace’s hybrid corn. Wet September rains put Iowa’s corn harvest well behind its normal pace, but drier weather is helping farmers catch up. Biofuels & Energy: The EPA proposed fully reallocating renewable-fuel volumes waived through small-refinery exemptions, a change Iowa farm and fuel groups say could support ethanol demand. Linn County supervisors approved a host-community agreement for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center. Rural Investment: Iowa awarded $435,000 in grants to specialty-crop growers, and the John Deere Foundation committed $18.5 million to connect more farmers with food banks.

Manufacturing Workforce: Iowa awarded $1.4 million in initial grants to expand advanced-manufacturing training, while Iowa Valley colleges also plan to grow short-term workforce programs. Farm and Food Supply: John Deere’s foundation is directing $13 million to Iowa food banks and farm-to-food-bank programs, with funding expected to help three networks work with about 100 more farmers. Harvest and Biofuels: Wet September has left corn harvest 20 percentage points behind its five-year pace; an EPA proposal to fully reallocate renewable-fuel volumes lost to refinery exemptions could support ethanol demand if adopted. Local Processing: Iowa meat lockers can seek grants of up to $20,000 for equipment to increase meat and poultry processing capacity. Major Projects: Lee County supervisors say talks continue about a proposed steel mill, but the company has not officially announced plans to build there.

Biofuels: The EPA proposed restoring 100% of renewable-fuel volumes waived for small refineries, a move Iowa farm and fuel groups say would sustain demand for corn and other feedstocks. Food and Farming: John Deere’s foundation pledged $18.5 million for food-bank partnerships, including $13 million in Iowa to connect more than 100 farmers with local food banks. Manufacturing Workforce: Iowa awarded $1.39 million to 16 advanced-manufacturing businesses to train an estimated 631 workers. Ethanol: Council Bluffs-based SIRE is acquiring a Nebraska plant, lifting its combined annual production capacity to about 230 million gallons while retaining the facility’s workers and local grain purchases. Harvest: Drier weather helped Iowa farmers advance harvest, but just 14% of corn and 31% of soybeans were harvested by Oct. 11—well behind typical rates after a wet September.

Steel Investment: A proposed $15 billion steel complex in southeast Iowa could bring more than 1,700 jobs, but questions remain about whether the Minnesota-based developer will build it. Iowa has pledged up to $1.36 billion in tax incentives if the mill becomes operational. Data Centers & Power: Microsoft bought more than 600 acres in Woodward for a data center, while Linn County supervisors weigh a $5.3 million host agreement for Alliant’s proposed Morgan Valley gas plant. Manufacturing & Biofuels: Collins is expanding its Des Moines manufacturing facility, and Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy plans to acquire Greenamerica Biofuels’ Ord facility from Pilot. Farm Outlook: Iowa has the nation’s largest hog inventory, at 24.7 million head, even as the U.S. total fell 2% year over year. A warmer, wetter fall could also delay fertilizer applications, with Iowa State experts urging farmers to wait for soil temperatures to reach 50 degrees and keep falling.