Economic Development

Ideas to Become a "Smart City"

What is a "Smart City"? Is it the people who guide the government? The people who serve on boards and commissions? The voters or the non-voters? How about the people who desire a better life? Meet Mark Modzelewski (he knows...so call him Mark!) from Treeline who says it's not about giving away the farm to capture the new and bright shinny thingy for economic development. Mark says you can build a strong a vibrant economy for your town, city, county and state by focusing on what you already have. The people who  create, drive business and will build your economy. It's pretty...smart.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

TrustBelt 2017 & Why It Matters - Ron Starner

There is a resurgence in manufacturing, jobs and the economic success of business in what was formally known as "The Rust Belt". Here we talk to the founder of the TrustBelt Conference, Ron Starner the Executive Vice President of Conway, the company that publishes Site Selection magazine, about what is going on and how this region pivoted from heavy industrial manufacturing to a diverse economy in everything from small entrepreneur efforts to large IT and knowledge-based businesses. Enjoy! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Entrepreneurship, Jobs, Flint and More with Congressman Kildee

This week TrustBelt 2017 by Conway Global came to Des Moines. Think of this event as a two day look at manufacturing, the new economy, jobs, technology and ground breaking ideas to enable economic growth in the 16 states that had been called the Rust Belt. Here we sit down with Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) who represents the cities of Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and others and talk about everything from water in Flint to Shinola in Detroit. We think you'll enjoy his progressive, straight forward attitude about economic development there...and here. Besides, it was great to hang out with a fellow Michigander for a bit.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Outlets of Des Moines - New in the Metro with T.J. Just

Opening later this month is Outlets of Des Moines a new shopping area in Altoona. Here we visit with General Manager, T.J. Just about the effort, employment, consumers shopping habits, brick & mortar, promotion and the upcoming charity preview night on the 19th. The back-story of something new in the Des Moines Metro. Have a listen: 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Foundry - A Media Peek

The media was invited to an event at The Foundry a very unique (for the Des Moines Metro) mixed-use redevelopment project that will transform a 25,000 square foot 19th Century railroad maintenance building into three distinct sections. The Hall - A food and beverage restaurant and beer venue. The Distillery - A commercial production facility and The Kitchen - A non-profit commissary kitchen with a social mission to fight hunger, homelessness and provide skills training. Here we visit with Jorgen Jensen of the Foundry Project about the history behind the building and what they uncovered during the multi-million dollar renovation and then some information from Scott Bush the man behind the Foundery Distilling Company. This is...very...cool with a "hat tip" to Invision the architects of the project. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Immigration and The Greater Des Moines Partnership

Here we visit with Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Talent Development for the Greater Des Moines Partnership about DACA (Dreamers), Immigration Laws, Congress, Regional Jobs, the Economy and a group known as The New American Economy. What is the impact of foreign born workers here in the Des Moines Metro and why have so many moved to our region?  All asked and answered...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Ever Changing Job Market, Business and Technology with Brian Waller

Everything is changing and at a rapid pace. Here we explore how technology has invaded every aspect of our lives and our businesses. How that change has altered how we market, advertise and learn. Brian Waller is the President of the Technology Association of Iowa and we talk about all of those issues and the lead role Iowa has in the world of transformational technology. Truly interesting radio. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Des Moines Water Works Foundation

We've all heard about the Des Moines Water Works, the folks who bring water to thousands of Metro businesses and residents but...what do you know about the Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation? Here Sam Carrell the Executive Director of the foundation and Hannah Inman the Board Chair talk about the fifth largest municipal park in the nation, a bit of surprising history and the multi-million dollar campaign to upgrade and redevelop some 1,500 acres in the middle of Des Moines. Think economic development and water.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Young African Leadership Initiative and Drake University

Proof that we live in a global economy. This summer 25 young people from Africa are in Des Moines and taking part in YALI the Young African Leadership Initiative. Our contributor Laura Kinnard of Drake University has been working with them on their business plans which they hope to take back to their home countries and implement. With us in studio is Elizabeth Kasujja from Uganda. Her grandmother was a princess. Her business is a healthy drink called Sante and she is using that to support her Social Entrepreneurial organization called Clear Your Mind focused on access to mental health care and depression treatment. Sarah Sangara is from the Congo. Her business is empowering women with children by loaning land to and teaching them how to grow soybeans to provide support for their families needs and to send their children to school. Her other concept is to build a website that promotes entrepreneurs and the positive things going on in the Congo. Her grandfather was a King. We think you'll truly enjoy this conversation! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Creating Opportunities with the Ag Tech Accelerator

"Perhaps the only surprise is that this program wasn't started long ago." Those are the words of Megan Vollstedt the Executive Director of the Iowa Agri Tech Accelerator which is part of the Cultivation Corridor. Here we talk about what the accelerator hopes to accomplish by giving agricultural startups a platform to grow their ideas and take them to market. Strap in...Megan is truly on fire for agriculture and this new adventure.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.