Falling Corn And Soybean Commodity Prices Hurting Midwest Economy
(Omaha) — A monthly survey of business leaders and supply managers in Iowa finds the state’s leading economic indicator fell for the fourth straight month in October. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says Iowa’s Business Conditions Index for the month was, in a word, “tepid.” Goss says the entire nine-state Midwest region is experiencing a similiar downward slide, as new export orders are dropping.
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The U-S dollar is becoming stronger though, which Goss says has an impact across the board.
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After rising to its highest level in more than three years in June, Goss says the overall index reading has hovered in a range pointing toward positive — but slower — growth for the regional economy over the next three to six months, with agriculture being key.
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Durable goods producers in Iowa, including ag equipment makers and nondurable goods manufacturers, especially food processors, reported much slower growth than earlier in the year.
New Fish Farm To Be Developed At Webster City
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) – A company is planning to build a large indoor fish farming operation in Webster City that will employ 150 people.
VeroBlue Farms is preparing to purchase two buildings in the central Iowa city, including the former Beam Building more commonly known as the Kenco Building.
The company’s president, Keith Driver, says the 270,000-square-foot building will have about 215 fish tanks that can each store about 10,000 gallons of water. Driver says about 20,000 pounds of fish each year can be raised in each tank.
The fishing farm will raise Barramundi, which Driver says is meaty and popular in Australia.
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Story City Says No To New Truck Stop
STORY CITY, Iowa (AP) – The City Council has voted against a truck stop at the Story City ramp off Interstate 35.
People jammed the council meeting Monday night and shared their concerns before the vote.
Opponents said the truck stop would mean an increase in pollution and crime, including sex trafficking. Supporters said the truck stop would spur economic growth and bring about 50 new jobs to town.
Mayor Mike Jensen says he had favored building the truck stop because his city needs the development, but he now thinks that “with all the oppositions and the emotions in this, the council made the right decision.”
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Marshalltown Proposed Cancer Center Rejected
ANKENY, Iowa (AP) – A state council has denied the approval of a certificate sought by a new Marshalltown hospital to operate a cancer treatment center.
The State Health Facilities Council voted 3-1 to deny the certificate for the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center. The hospital’s CEO, John Hughes, says it’s disappointing that the panel rejected them but respects their process.
Leaders with the hospital say one of the main reasons they wanted to open the center was to decrease the travel burden on cancer patients and offer treatment locally.
Council chairman Bill Thatcher says Marshalltown hospital’s center would have been too close to Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, which already offers high-quality services.
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