Economic Development

The Boat, The River and West Des Moines

Michael LaValle is no stranger to start-ups. He is the General Manager and Culinary Director of the Embassy Club, he founded The Hub on the Des Moines River and he and his bride operate Trellis located in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. He is also a riverboat captain on the Jonathan Anderson White paddle wheel boat.  And that is where this story gets interesting.  Tired of fighting flooding conditions downtown Michael has asked the City of West Des Moines for permission to float his riverboat there.  That sparked an interesting debate. Here is our conversation and attempt to move this neat economic development idea along.  Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Housing Tomorrow - The Present and Future for the Metro

The Des Moines Metro has some housing issues when it comes to entry level home ownership to rentals.  Eric Burmeister from the Polk County Housing Trust Fund talks about the economic reality of everything from wages to transportation to housing.  We cover lots of ground here and some of the information may surprise you.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

A Non-Profit Home Financing Alternative

We hear, all the time, about how frustrated people, especially first-time home buyers, are when it comes to finding financing. Meet Stephanie Preusch from the Neighborhood Finance Corporation a twenty-five year old non-profit mortgage bank that can get folks into a house for about 5% down. They can also help individuals qualify for up to a $10,000 forgivable loan to fix your new home up.  Yeah, we thought so too!Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Talking Angels with Mike Colwell

This week the Plains Angels, an investment group based in Iowa, said in a release they had sent $2.4 million in start up investment to seven start-ups. Five from Iowa and two from neighboring states. Mike Colwell from the Business Innovation Zone reviewed each new company and talked about an upcoming event for next Wednesday.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Let's Create a Community that is Walkable

It's not about "tree hugging" but economic development.  We welcome Larry James, JR. to our studio to talk about the economic development associated with allowing people to more more naturally between home, work and shopping. Oh, and it's not about "tree hugging" but following the consumer trend toward new ways to think about transportation. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.  

Trash Talk and Economic Development - Honest!

Trash talk!  No, we haven't switched format to politics but to Earth Day with Jen Fletcher from Des Moines Parks and Recreation. We're looking for 1,200 volunteers to join up and clean up for Earth Day.  And, we talked about the economic impact parks and recreation have on any community. Come on...get trashy with Trash Bash!Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Well, You Could Be in Manufacturing! Yes, Really!

It might surprise many Iowans as to the states rich history in manufacturing.  Sure, if you are in that field you already know and you already know there are scores of great paying jobs waiting for willing workers right here in the Hawkeye State.  Michele Farrell is working to spread that word with Elevate Iowa.  She's also handing out...money. Here is that conversation: Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

The Economics of Immigration

After we spend a minute establishing the relationship and chatting about former President George Herbert Walker Bush our friend Ron Langston talks about the reality of economics in a global sense and why we need "...adults in the room" when it comes to immigration. We think you'll find his reasoning thoughtful and a call to leadership that we need more than finger pointing.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Toxic Talk Radio? It Ain't Us!

So, when you travel distances by vehicle, and spinning the radio dial seeking news and information that isn't "toxic"...good luck.  Here's a quick piece on two trips, what we heard and why it's NOT what we do: Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Justin Mandelbaum on An Artistic Endevor

We love this project!  Justin Mandelbaum, whose family has been part of Des Moines for over 150 years, made the decision to come back to his home town and create something special.  Des Moines Arts is a non-profit development for artists which will be housed in the abandoned Century Link Building.  And, because Justin has done this before...he's not guessing at its success.  Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only business broadcast in the Des Moines Metro and a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.