Economic Development

Urban Community Concepts with Beth Hicks

As the Des Moines Metro grows and develops Beth Hicks found a way to be helpful to the 38 neighborhoods as a force to help connect them in an effort to build sustainability and...urban agriculture.  Yep, urban agriculture...good stuff!Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

A Visual Anchor for Waukee

The project has its roots in economic development by increasing the visibility of the Raccoon River Valley Trail and creating a gathering point in the rapidly growing community of Waukee, Iowa. David Dahlquist, Jim Miller and Cooper Riley visited the IOB Studios to talk about the million dollar pergola that, they say, will create a landmark destination much the same as the High Trestle Bridge between Madrid and Woodward.  An interesting conversation.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Deb Bengtson on The Windsor Heights Chamber

The new Executive Director for the Windsor Heights Chamber is Deb Bengtson who jetted from the West Des Moines Chamber to take the reins of the smallest chamber in the Metro.  Why?  We asked that and many more questions. Here is that in-depth conversation with Deb.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.

Save the Webster Theater!

We stepped outside of the Des Moines Metro to have a conversation with Jeff Pingle of Save the Webster Theater, an iconic movie house built in 1906 that sits in the middle of Webster City, Iowa. Jeff tells us about how they created a non-profit to raise funds for the effort and how you can help by supporting the project with crowd funding.  It's a great story!  Thanks to our good friend Deb Brown from the Webster City Area Chamber for putting this on our radar!Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.  Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page. 

The Iowa Business Council and Elliott Smith - 25 Feb. 2014

The Iowa Business Council today announced some changes in it's leadership for 2014 while that's some news we think the deeper question is just what is the Iowa Business Council and what do they do?  We asked and Elliott Smith the IBC executive director gave us the answers. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines. 

Chad Schreck and Home Base Iowa Greene County - 24 Feb 2014

Today it was reported that Greene County would be the very first Home Base Iowa a program that seeks to attract returning armed forces service personal.  We shared the story and then talked with Chad Schreck the Executive Director of the Midwest Partnership a group that assists in business development in Greene County and others.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.

Grinnell with Angela Harrington

We visited with Angela Harrington the President and CEO of the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce about all things...Grinnell.  Some interesting stuff and observations about the newest member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.

Katie Bradshaw from Jasper Winery - 18 Feb 2014

Wineries continue to be an economic force in Iowa. Today we visited with our friend Katie Bradshaw from The Jasper Winery about their business model and Iowa wine in general.  Always a pleasure!Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines. 

Retail Sales of Spirits with Todd Dunkel - 17 Feb 2014

Todd Dunkel is the co-owner of Iowa Distilling Company based in Cumming, Iowa.  Currently two bills are working their way through the Iowa Legislature that could have an impact on his business as well as micro-distilling companies across Iowa.  We talked about it and what it might mean for...business.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.

Terry Vorbrich and The Des Moines Economic Development Office - 11 February 2014

Up until last month we didn't know that Des Moines had an office of economic development. Today Terry Vorbrich tells the story of his department, what they do, how they do it and we celebrate all that is Des Moines.Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines.