AGP Executive Report

Workforce Housing Push: Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $39.84 million in workforce housing tax credits for 39 counties, backing 69 projects and about 2,093 new units—an effort aimed at helping employers find workers and giving families more stable options. Nuclear Restart Financing: The U.S. Department of Energy closed a loan of up to $1.9 billion to NextEra for the Duane Arnold Energy Center restart near Palo, with NextEra targeting a return to service around 2028-2029 and touting major job and economic benefits. Education & Talent: The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop named alumnus Tony Tulathimutte the inaugural $150,000 Jack Galef Award winner, while Iowa also selected 44 students as the 2026 National Math Stars in a first-in-the-nation statewide partnership. Local Governance & Growth Friction: Hardin County’s zoning commission declined to update its ordinance for a planned BESS project near Radcliffe, and Ida County released a first draft data center ordinance that would heavily restrict where facilities can go. Politics & Public Mood: New polling coverage suggests Democrats’ midterm generic-ballot lead is smaller than in 2018, even as Republicans face a more open fight for Senate control. Community Safety: Des Moines police investigated gunfire near Roosevelt High School and Hubbell Elementary, with no injuries reported. Business Brief: Casey’s reported fiscal Q1 profit of $273.7 million.

Iowa Business & Economy: Iowans are being warned to treat suspicious five-star product reviews with caution, as the Better Business Bureau says fake posts often use generic names, repetitive wording, odd grammar, or bursts of reviews that look like bots. Workforce & Housing: Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley toured a Waverly workforce housing development, highlighting state incentives aimed at keeping new homes attainable as construction costs and appraisals remain tough for smaller communities. Agriculture & Markets: Grain futures ticked mostly higher overnight, with wheat leading; the day’s focus includes USDA export inspections and crop progress updates delayed for the holiday. Politics & Business Climate: A new AP report says Republicans’ Senate control is no longer secure as Democrats compete in once-distant states, with the midterm fight expected to top $3.4 billion—an outcome that could shape how quickly major economic and regulatory priorities move. Healthcare & Research: University of Iowa-led work received $165,000 from the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association to build preclinical models for timing therapies for CMT1A and CMT1E.

Construction & Labor Demand: Cedar Rapids’ building boom is keeping eastern Iowa union workers busy, with hyperscale data centers and a new casino driving long hours and supply-stretching challenges. Local Planning Clash: Urbandale’s city council rejected a land-use change needed for a Buc-ee’s, citing traffic and fit with the area’s plan. Rural Mental Health: The Midwest “Farm Dog” initiative is tackling rural suicide stigma by funding farm-tailored mental health care and connecting farmers to resources via QR-coded apparel. Agriculture Costs & Markets: Diesel prices are hitting record highs, raising planting and harvest costs for Iowa and nearby states, while corn prices are rallying unusually ahead of harvest—though input and global pressures are still squeezing margins. Iowa Business & Money: Iowa’s public utilities sales tax collections rose 5.7% in 2024, and Iowa City Community School District approved an $8M loan to bridge cash flow. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker shows several Iowa cities with low but persistent scam reporting in July, underscoring ongoing fraud risk.

Midterm Politics: Reports say Republicans in tight races are quietly removing Trump references from campaign websites as his approval sinks and voters focus on the economy and gas prices. U.S. Senate Watch: A Reuters factbox lays out the nine Senate races most likely to decide control, with Democrats needing four pickups. Iowa Economy & Energy: An Iowa Environmental Council report says Iowa’s coal-fired share rose in 2025, while MidAmerican Energy disputes the framing over reliability and cost. Banking Deal: Equity Bank will merge with Lincoln Savings Bank, expanding Equity’s Iowa footprint after a roughly $124M deal. Ag & Trade: New U.S.-Canada tariff fallout is hitting dairy exports, and Trump’s beef import plan is drawing backlash from cattle groups and GOP lawmakers. Iowa Tech & Privacy: Both Iowa governor candidates say they’d back state rules for automated license plate readers, citing constitutional concerns over Flock-style camera networks. Local Business: Downtown Ottumwa restaurants report a sales boost from a new monthly “Lunch Club” initiative. Public Safety: Manchester is hosting Iowa’s State Fire Convention, drawing about 1,300 registrants and boosting local fire department resources.**

Banking Deal: Equity Bank says it will merge with Iowa’s Lincoln Savings Bank in a roughly $124M deal, turning Lincoln’s 16 branches (including three in the Des Moines metro) into Equity Bank locations by year-end. Energy & Cost Savings: Benton and Iowa County residents have until Sept. 30 to join a group solar rate through Grow Solar, aiming to lower electricity costs via bulk purchasing. Healthcare & Local Economy: Lucas County Health Center reports $1.6M in community benefits in 2025, supporting 432 jobs and $48.4M in local spending, underscoring the rural hospital’s economic role. Local Business Boost: Dyersville businesses credit Field of Dreams tourism plus summer events like RAGBRAI, MLB and the Velocity Festival for strong sales. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Iowa cities including Clinton and Wayland each logged scam reports in July, with online purchase scams driving losses. Community & Culture: Theatre Cedar Rapids is nearing the unveiling of a $9.5M auditorium renovation ahead of a “Mary Poppins” premiere in November.

Data Centers & AI Labor: Meta is testing dual-armed robots at its Altoona, Iowa data center to plug cables and reset servers, aiming to cut physical labor needs as AI infrastructure spending climbs. Local Energy & Recycling: Iowa-based Renewablade is turning retired wind turbine blades into concrete retaining-wall blocks for a Premier Credit Union project in downtown Des Moines. Agribusiness Philanthropy: Farm Credit Services of America pledged $15,000 to South Dakota’s “Hog Wild for a Better Barn” campaign to buy 450 new hog pens for the state fair. Iowa Higher Ed & Talent Pipeline: North Dakota State University’s new president says expanded tuition reciprocity is a key enrollment tool, building on Minnesota student retention. Workforce & Health Care: Allina doctors at Unity and Mercy hospitals filed a strike notice after three years without a contract, raising pressure on staffing and pay negotiations. Local Business Watch: 7 Brew plans to hire 80+ employees in Dubuque ahead of its mid-October opening.

Iowa Politics & Trade: Iowa’s cattle debate is heating up as Rep. Zach Nunn and Ag Secretary Mike Naig push for policies that protect domestic beef while responding to Trump’s moves on cheaper ground-beef imports, with the political fallout showing up in Iowa’s Senate race. Local Business & Development: Urbandale’s rejection of a Buc-ee’s plan is prompting other Iowa cities to pitch locations, including Newton, as the Texas chain accelerates expansion. Ag Economy: Midwest heat is lifting crop prices, with corn futures jumping and improving farm cash outlooks—good news for Iowa growers watching margins rebound. Consumer & Safety: Restaurant inspections in the region flagged serious issues, including dead mice, expired food, and kitchen closures. Community & Events: Cedar Rapids’ NewBo Art Fest draws nearly 40 artists for a Sunday market showcase, while River Action’s “Taming of the Slough” triathlon returns Sept. 12 with a paddle-bike-run course. Infrastructure & Resilience: Sioux County is set to receive $2.87 million in FEMA hazard-mitigation funding for flood buyouts, helping families move on after the 2024 flooding.

Data Center Policy Fight: Fort Madison is pushing its Planning & Zoning Commission to keep researching data center zoning rules, including a new “High Infrastructure Impact Development” ordinance with tiered review for projects that strain electricity, water, roads, and emergency services. Education Savings: Iowa State Treasurer Roby Smith cut ISave 529 fees again, dropping the plan’s cost to 0.15% (effective immediately), aiming to make college saving cheaper for families. Banking Deal: Lincoln Savings Bank is merging into Equity Bank, adding 16 locations across eastern and central Iowa, with customers expected to see streamlined transfers of bill pay and ACHs. Rural Economy & USDA: Iowa native Glen Smith, an Atlantic farmer, was confirmed as USDA undersecretary for rural development, a move Grassley and state agriculture leaders say supports rural businesses and infrastructure. Local Tax Politics: Ankeny voters will decide on a 1% local-option sales tax that city officials say could prevent property taxes from rising for the first time in 14 years. Labor & Organizing: Iowa labor experts discussed unionization pressure points, including falling union density and ongoing challenges for workers like UnityPoint nurses.

Agribusiness & Food Safety: President Trump signed an executive order pushing USDA to make it easier for smaller processors to sell meat products, while also calling for “modernizing” inspection rules—an Iowa State expert warns consumer safety must stay front and center. Water Quality & Farming Costs: Iowa expanded its Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project to Benton, Black Hawk, Grundy and Tama, offering free kits as farmers work to cut nitrates flowing toward the Cedar River. State Budget & Schools: Iowa City Community School District approved an $8 million loan to cover payroll and cash-flow timing ahead of October state funding. Rural Business & Health Care Access: A Waterloo-area cancer center marked 10 years, touting over 105,000 patient encounters and expanded local oncology support. Local Economy & Growth: DeWitt broke ground on five regional detention ponds at Crossroads Business Park to make nearly 125 acres shovel-ready for industrial development. Consumer & Retail Policy: A SNAP waiver soft-drinks ban in South Dakota is moving forward, but retailers warn enforcement will be messy and other states have faced court setbacks. Banking: People’s Savings Bank opened a new Reinbeck location with a ribbon cutting and community events.

Political money in Iowa: Elon Musk’s America PAC has started spending about $800,000 across 15 House and Senate races, including Iowa, per federal filings. Ag and fuel policy: At the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Renewable Fuels Association leaders discussed new EPA small refinery exemptions for 2025 and a California push to enable E15 sales. Cattle trade fallout: Iowa Ag Secretary Brook Rollins weighed in on beef import tax policy after rural backlash, as ranchers warn of market volatility. Cost of living pressure: A new look at Iowa’s “living wage” finds housing may be cheaper than the national average, but families still pay more for food, insurance, utilities, transportation, and child care. Workforce focus at Iowa State: ISU President David Cook says the biggest recurring challenge is finding and keeping workers, shaping how the university connects students to Iowa jobs. Local business shift: Cedar Rapids’ Peppercorn at the Bank will end regular restaurant service Oct. 29, pivoting toward events and catering. Community and health services: Classroom Clinic keeps expanding telehealth mental health services to Iowa schools, now serving 56 districts.

Nuclear Energy Roadmap: Gov. Kim Reynolds released the final Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force report, urging a statewide feasibility study, a new “nuclear-ready” program for communities, workforce and supply-chain planning, and possible financial incentives as electricity demand rises and Duane Arnold looks toward restart. Regulatory Watch: Iowa DNR posted recent enforcement actions and draft air-quality permits for public comment, including Title V operating permit reviews tied to major facilities. Attorney General vs. Amazon: Iowa AG Jeffrey N. Jackson sued Amazon over an alleged ad-pricing scheme that, the complaint says, overcharged more than 1.2 million advertisers and drove up costs for consumers; the case is joined by the FTC and many state AGs. Opioid Grants: Iowa’s AG awarded $1.6M+ in first-round opioid settlement grants to five groups focused on prevention and harm reduction, after criticism over delays. Local Business & Growth: Equity Bank is set to expand in Iowa via acquisition of Lincoln Savings Bank, and Iowa City approved an $8M loan for operating expenses as districts grapple with funding pressure. Community Projects: Larchwood secured a $1M grant toward a proposed $4M community center, with construction targeted for fall if bidding goes smoothly. Health & Safety: Iowa confirmed 45 kratom-associated deaths since 2024 and Reynolds is pushing for a total statewide ban. Housing Market: Bettendorf-area reporting points to mixed signals—statewide inventory is up, but local listing trends may differ.

Politics & Trade: House Republicans are venting tariff frustrations in a closed-door meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, with Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn saying he wants the administration to “take care of folks back home” as the U.S.-Canada trade war escalates. Banking & Deals: ExchangeRight’s Net-Leased Portfolio 74 DST was fully subscribed, closing a $63.34 million offering with monthly distributions tied to long-term leases across multiple states including Iowa. AI Infrastructure Backlash: A new pushback campaign targets AI data centers, aiming to soften voter resistance in battleground areas where opposition to new facilities is rising. Iowa Workforce & Education: Iowa’s ICN selected a new group of high school students for the Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council, pairing tech learning with cybersecurity training and projects. Local Business: Rio Burritos is planning a second Cedar Rapids location at 2300 Edgewood Road SW, with a new menu and year-round tamales. Community & Health: Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice is recruiting volunteers for fall training in West Burlington, expanding in-home and virtual support options. Agriculture & Policy: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended a White House beef import deal after ranchers pushed back at the Iowa State Fair.

Iowa Water & Agriculture: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig pushed back on “blame the farmers” claims at the Farm Progress Show, pointing to a 2025 Polk County study linking farm pollution to central Iowa nitrate levels and highlighting the Sept. 9 deadline for cover-crop signups under the $319M “Farm to Faucet” plan; the state is also expanding a cattle conservation effort as beef prices stay high but herd numbers remain low. Statehouse & Business Climate: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate was named co-chair of the NASS Business Services Committee, underscoring Iowa’s work on business identity theft and fraud prevention; meanwhile, Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa employers will get the lowest possible unemployment insurance tax rates for a fifth straight year. Education Savings: State Treasurer Roby Smith announced a third ISave 529 fee reduction, cutting the plan’s only fee to 0.15% ($1.50 per $1,000) effective Sept. 1. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Leon, Iowa tied for 15th in the state for July scam reports, with losses including a romance scam; separate Iowa City and other local updates continue to show phishing and online purchase as common themes. Local Economy & Growth: The Greater Des Moines Partnership will hand out 2026 Economic Impact Awards to seven companies, including American Equity’s downtown HQ move and a major expansion by Holmes Murphy. Higher Ed & Workforce: UNI received $970,000 for upgrades to its Foundry 4.0 Center, and Kirkwood opened job-shadow applications for the 2026-27 school year.

M&A & Manufacturing: Stellar Industries, an employee-owned Iowa firm, bought Minnesota’s Midwest Fire, keeping Midwest’s Luverne operations and adding the fire apparatus business to Stellar’s portfolio. Energy & AI Power Demand: Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel said AI data centers are a major opportunity for Berkshire Hathaway Energy, noting data centers already account for about 8% of its Iowa load. Local Real Estate: A Des Moines developer paid $1.6M for a historic 1895 warehouse at 108 E. Fourth St., proposing a $13.7M renovation into office space using historic tax credits. Business Climate & Regulation: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over claims it secretly inflated ad prices for more than seven years, including Iowa. Agriculture Data: USDA is launching a satellite-and-tech pilot to improve crop acreage and yield estimates after farmer complaints about staffing cuts and data accuracy. Sports & Community Deals: UNI will sell naming rights for the UNI-Dome for the first time, and The Huddle is set to open in Waukee’s Kettlestone Central development. Public Finance Watch: Iowa City Schools faces a state review after a new oversight committee found a “systemic breakdown” starting in fiscal 2023.

Amazon Antitrust: Iowa and 21 other states, joined by the FTC, sued Amazon alleging it used manipulated ad auctions to overcharge sellers by tens of billions, with costs allegedly passed to consumers. Ag Policy Clash: At Iowa’s Farm Progress Show, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins defended new foreign ground-beef imports aimed at lowering prices, while Tyson Foods disputed claims it would restrict buyers to American-owned firms. Racetrack Deal: Polk County and Prairie Meadows approved a long-term lease that keeps the property publicly owned, shifts obligations away from taxpayers, and is projected to generate more than $500M for the county plus major private investment. Banking Investment: NBA champion Harrison Barnes bought a $25M stake in a Paton, Iowa bank, highlighting how pro athletes are putting money into rural finance. Health Care Watch: University of Iowa Health Care bought Mission Cancer + Blood for $280M, raising concerns about higher patient bills after a billing change not disclosed to the Board of Regents. Workforce & Education: Jaron Wilde was named Tippie associate dean of undergraduate programs, and Western Iowa Tech marked 60 years with yearlong events. Public Safety: Iowa officials warned about kratom and synthetic variants after confirmed deaths, as a new state job posting targets accounts payable and P-card processing.

Amazon Ad Lawsuit Hits Iowa: The FTC and 22 states, including Iowa AG Brenna Bird, sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” that secretly inflated prices in its ad auctions, with claims of tens of billions in overcharges affecting about 1.2 million advertisers. Local Business & Community: Ernst named Henningsen’s Meat Processing (Atlantic area) and The Bread Board (Pella) as Small Business of the Week, highlighting Iowa’s food makers. Ag & Farm Economy: Iowa will host the annual Farm Progress Show in Boone, featuring 550 companies, while USDA reports Iowa corn is 6% mature and 77% rated good-to-excellent. Education & Civic Pipeline: Eastern Iowa’s Civics Bee is back for 2027, with applications opening Sept. 7 for grades 6-8. Tourism: Iowa Travel Industry Partners recognized Gov. Kim Reynolds for her support of the state’s tourism economy. Weather & Operations: Low Mississippi River levels are forcing costly changes for Dubuque-area marina operators ahead of Labor Day.