Rural / Urban

The Ag Accelerator - Game Changer for Progress

This week the Greater Des Moines Partnership launched, through the Cultivation Corridor, an agriculture accelerator. Building on the success of the insurance accelerator launched two years ago, this project seeks innovation and technology startups in agriculture who can offer answers to food production issues. In studio is Mike Colwell and Brent Willett. Oh, and we talk about the first four sponsors who put in $100,000 each the launch the program. 
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. You can catch us at 5:05PM on AM-940, FM-104.5 or in HD at 103.3 HD2. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines. Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page.  

STEM in Iowa and Why

On the final day of the Iowa State Fair we caught up with Carrie Rankin from the Governor's STEM Advisory Council to talk about, not only their huge display area but also the reason this effort is so important to Iowa and our economy. As you will hear, sometimes you have to "grow your own" something Iowa has done for decades.  Here is that conversation:
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. You can catch us at 5:05PM on AM-940, FM-104.5 or in HD at 103.3 HD2. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines. Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page. 

Beyond Elegance - A Post Retirement Story

A family wedding inspired Diana and Dave Bair to start a small business our of their home. Now, years later, Beyond Elegance has become the "go to" wedding and special events outfitter for linens to decor. Meet Diana and her story:
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. You can catch us at 5:05PM on AM-940, FM-104.5 or in HD at 103.3 HD2. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines. Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page. 

Community Revitalization through Sustainable Renovation

The Green and Main Project is like nothing we've seen. At it's heart is a desire to take existing structures, re-purpose them with sustainable methods and rebuild neighborhoods and communities and towns. The historic renovation of the building at 800 19th Street in Des Moines will allow it to be returned to full use from service provision, education, community meeting and living space. 
The second portion of the Green and Main Project is a focus on women and supportive programs that take a holistic approach to wellness, birth and life issues. To that end husband Chaden Halfhill and wife Cosette Boone sat down with us to discuss the project and the Kickstarter Campaign which ends shortly. Here is that conversation.
 Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. You can catch us at 5:05PM on AM-940, FM-104.5 or in HD at 103.3 HD2. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines. Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page.

Larry Cleverley the Iowa DOT and the DT Farmers Market

Not one to hold back, we catch up with Larry Cleverley of Cleverley Farms and talk about his struggle with the Iowa Department of Transportation and his Mingo farm. We also spend some time talking about his feelings about the Downtown Farmers Market, his decision to quit vending there and the changes that have come to the venue. Meet Larry: 
 Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. You can catch us at 5:05PM on AM-940, FM-104.5 or in HD at 103.3 HD2. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page.

Downtown Farmers Market Newbies - Brite Acres Farm

Often people think farmers need thousands of acres of land to make a living...not so fast. Meet Sara and Miles Brite of Brite Acres Farm in Carlisle. They are starting their first year with the Downtown Farmers Market and we'll learn more about what they raise during the growing season and how they make it during the winter. Good stuff ahead! 
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. You can catch us at 5:05PM on AM-940, FM-104.5 or in HD at 103.3 HD2. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page.

The Raccoon River Valley Trail, Economic Development and More

This past week in Perry, Iowa there was a large meeting with a focus on the Metro Area Trail System. Jim Miller, a financial adviser and avid cyclist was part of the event. We asked him to give us an overview on that, the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the economic impact it has on the communities along the trail. Interesting thoughts...
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only hour-long, business broadcast in the Midwest. It is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising/consulting agency based in Des Moines.  Connect with The Business News Hour on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more, here is our Facebook Page.

Voices from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association

At random we asked eight business leaders who are members of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association about their business and their biggest business concerns...the stuff they worry about the most. These are all owners or officers of companies involved in agriculture and we think you'll be surprised that the business issues they are worried about may well be the same that keep you up at night. We chat with:Mike Prieb from Buhler, KansasJohn Dyke from Downing, WisconsinBrian Kitch from Bourbon, IndianaRandy Anderson from Bluffton, OhioKendell Jensen from Thief River Falls, MinnesotaJim & Richard Cook from Clinton, MissouriMike Winter from Sioux Falls, South DakotaEnjoy!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, here is our Facebook Page.

The Agricultural Parts Business with Jeff Griggs

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association is made up of small businesses and large corporations. They supply agricultural and construction parts and equipment to many end users. Our guest is the president of NTPDA, Jeff Griggs of All States Ag Parts. We talk about the farm economy, the association and more. 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, here is our Facebook Page.

The Walnut Creek Watershed - The Economics of Change

Water. It seems that every day, for the past two months we've had a business news story about...water. Today we look at the economics behind the Walnut Creek Watershed Program with Clive City Councilperson Susan Judkins and from RDG Planning & Design Gregory Pierce who speaks to the many levels of incorporation from business owners to contractors to homeowners in Dallas and Polk Counties.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, here is our Facebook Page.