DOING BUSINESS IN IOWA
Iowa Economic Development Authority
515-348-6200
opportunities@iowaeda.com
www.iowaeda.com
“Doing business in Iowa is about the relationship, not the transaction. Access to decision-makers, combined with our legendary Midwest work ethic, central North American geographic location, and low cost of doing business make Iowa an attractive place to do business.”
— Debi Durham, Executive Director,
Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority
TARGETED GROWTH SECTORS
Manufacturing: As Iowa’s largest industry, manufacturing accounts for 18% of the state GDP, with 4,100 manufacturers employing 14% of the workforce.
Finance: Iowa’s insurance industry output as a percent of GDP ranks first in the nation at 11%. Home to 2,500 financial services companies, the state is #1 in the concentration of bank employees.
Bioscience: Bioscience companies benefit from Iowa’s world-renowned research institutions and abundant access to raw materials. #1 producer of corn, pork, and eggs and #2 in soybeans in the U.S.
TOP PROJECTS
COMPANY | CITY | INVESTMENT |
Council Bluffs | $600 million | |
Atlas Roofing | Clinton | $212 million |
Michael Foods | Norwalk | $146 million |
Nestle Purina Pet Care | Clinton | $110 million |
International Paper Co. | Cedar Rapids | $103 million |
FAST FACTS
Population (July 2022 est.): 3,200,517¹
Largest Cities (2020): Des Moines (213,699); Cedar Rapids (137,581); Davenport (101,584); Sioux City (85,654); Iowa City (74,443)¹
Real GDP (2022): $197.8 billion²
¹U.S. Census Bureau
²Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
CERTIFIED SITES
Companies looking to build new facilities are searching for sites suitable for development that are relatively risk-free. The Iowa Certified Site Program parallels a typical site location process. A credentialed Iowa Certified Site has relevant site-related data and documentation accumulated and is designated as “development ready.”
TOP BUSINESS FACILITIES RANKINGS
| #2 AgriTech | 2024 State Rankings |
| #2 Wind Power (Installed MW) | 2024 State Rankings |
| #3 Manufacturing (Job Growth) | 2024 State Rankings |
| #3 Remote Work: Council Bluffs | 2024 Metro Rankings |
| Top 5 Most Affordable Cities (Small): Davenport | 2024 Metro Rankings |
| Top 10 Best Business Climate (Mid-Sized): Des Moines | 2024 Metro Rankings |
