Rural Iowa

Rural Economic Development with Bill Menner Part One

It's always a pleasure to learn more about what is happening in the rural areas of Iowa and nobody better to ask than Bill Menner from the USDA Rural Development Office for Iowa.  Here, in Part One, we talk about some of the challenges and opportunities for Rural Iowa. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency based in Des Moines and 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.

TelePharm with Roby Miller

Each month Mike Colwell shares with us guests that come to the Greater Des Moines Partnership program at the Business Innovation Zone.  This month Roby Miller of TelePharm will share his story and, we have it first.  Listen in as Roby tells us how he is breathing life into Rural America and their drugstores. Here is that 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.

Farm Progress 2014 with Dena Morgan

It's one of the worlds largest agricultural expositions and it happens next week near Boone, Iowa. We visit with Dena Morgan from the Farm Progress Companies about the annual Farm Progress Show.  Why is it an important event? What changes have happened over the years? What is there to see and do and experience? 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 Distilling Company and Todd Dunkel

First it was Iowa wine followed by craft beer and then it was craft distilling. There have been lots of changes in the world of distilling spirits and we sat down with Todd Dunkel of The Iowa Distilling Company to talk about the opportunities and the challenges in his business. We also talked about new ideas coming from his place in Cumming, Iowa. 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.

Jennie Smith and Butcher Crick Farms

We love us some Jennie Smith from Butcher Crick Farms because she is sooooooo fun! Specializing in heirloom veggies, Jennie has built a business of sourcing local restaurants with her fresh veggies and her...wait for it...fabulous tomatoes. Always a great interview here is Jennie! 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.

Greene County Growth and the New Casino for Jefferson

In what some are calling a surprising vote, today the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved, on a 3-2 vote, a casino license for the Greene Country Community of Jefferson, Iowa. We visited with Chad Schreck the Executive Director of the Midwest Partnership the economic development arm for Adair, Audubon, Greene and Guthrie counties as to what this, and other incentives, mean for his area.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. 

Larry Cleverley, Farming and the Iowa DOT

Larry Cleverley is well known in the Des Moines Metro as a provider of fresh, organic produce to restaurants and individuals. In this extended interview we talk about organics, consumer choice and the Iowa Department of Transportation and their efforts that very well may close down Cleverley Farms near Mingo.  It's an issue that has roots back to the mid 1930's.  Listen in: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

Economic Development - Rural Style

Since 2009 the United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development has invested more than $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.  What?  The USDA?  Bill Menner joins us for an interesting conversation about what is going on, why it is happening and what can rural communities do to stem the outward migration to urban centers.  Fascinating 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.

Iowa Water Quality and Iowa Being Transparent

We don't do politics on the News Hour but...we do follow business issues that impact the state. Today we saw an interesting story about the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and their request to keep soil and water testing results from the voluntary efforts to reduce pollution...secret.  We visit with Adam Mason about his group and the questions of transparency with regard to Iowa agriculture.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

Michael Sadler and CenturyLink - 5 February 2014

Michael Sadler is the Assistant Vice President of Public Policy for Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. That means he is a lobbyist who hangs out at the legislature looking out for CenturyLink and its interests. Why and what you need to know in a wide ranging interview from legislation to broadband for Rural America. Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines, Iowa.Thanks for listening!