April 30, 2021
IARN COVID-19 restrictions didn’t stop Iowa officials from finding a way to meet with leaders in Japan, which is one of the state’s leading Ag export markets.
Governor Kim Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig – along with several Iowa and U.S.-based organizations – recently participated in a virtual trade mission with Japan. The Iowa delegation continued conversations with Japanese companies following a successful in-person meeting in 2019 to reinforce strong relationships and expand trade and investment opportunities for the state, according to Brad Frisvold with the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s International Trade Office. IEDA coordinated the effort.
D.M. official: Dico site expected to be cleaned up by end of year
But even when cleaned, âit will still be a Superfund siteâ Friday, April 30, 2021 3:43 PM
Cleanup of the contaminated Dico site at 200 S.W. 16th St. in Des Moines is expected to be completed by the end of the year, a city official said. Photo by Duane Tinkey
Cleanup is expected to be completed by year’s end on a 43-acre toxic site located near a prominent entryway into downtown Des Moines, city officials said during a public meeting today.
In addition, the city of Des Moines will likely take possession of the former Dico site in about 30 days, officials said.
Bob Saar
for The Hawk Eye
Des Moines County Conservation Board members, supervisors and department heads took in the county s scenic views Tuesday as they toured the Flint River Trail.
Leading the UTV tour on a golf cart was Des Moines County Conservation Director Chris Lee, who said the purpose of the journey was to give the group of eight an overview of the bike trail as it exists today. We re going to look at both the city portion, from the Burlington riverfront up to just past Tama Road. Then we re going to look at the county portion, from Starr s Cave all the way up to Big Hollow, Lee said. It will take a good few hours, by the time we jump and transport the machines across the highway, and go through and stop and talk here and there. Overall, it s almost 20 miles by the time you add it all together.
Community colleges, CIRAS to lead statewide manufacturing technology consortium
BY BUSINESS RECORD STAFF Thursday, April 29, 2021 2:47 PM Iowa’s community colleges and Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) today announced a new consortium to support the manufacturing sector in adapting to “Industry 4.0” the global move toward digitalization and automation.
The new consortium includes key state associations and agencies that have agreed to partner for the best interest of manufacturing businesses, the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees and CIRAS said in a news release.
The partnering organizations will implement a statewide education and awareness campaign, with a goal of meeting the training needs of manufacturers of all sizes throughout Iowa, the organizations said. “In addition to customized training for the existing workforce, the group will develop and enhance certificate, diploma, and