The State of Iowa is located in the heart of the United States and has plentiful resources that make it a prime location for development. There are more than 800 firms in Iowa controlled by international companies, with sales of more than $15 billion that are employing approximately 42,000 Iowans. Targeted industries such as food, food ingredients, biosciences, manufacturing, and renewable energy are growing with international firms such as Siemens, Toyota, Barilla, AEGON, ING, Nestle, and Danisco — who have all found a home in Iowa.

Iowa is a preferred location for national and global industry. International firms are finding success in Iowa by taking advantage of the state’s unique business incentives, natural resources, time-saving transportation infrastructure, productive work force, unparalleled quality-of-life amenities, and affordable business climate. In 2007, Iowa was rated as having the second lowest cost of doing business in the country (Milken Institute Cost of Doing Business Index, 2007)

A leader in the advanced manufacturing sector, Iowa provides companies a great rate of return on investment. Iowa companies exported over $9 billion in manufactured and value-added goods last year, soaring from $8.4 billion in 2006 to $9.6 billion in 2007. Iowa’s 2007 exports increased 14.32 percent, outpacing the national average of 12.11 percent.

The Iowa Values Fund, a $500 million business development initiative enacted in 2003, provides an array of direct financial assistance programs to aide companies seeking an Iowa location. To date, the Iowa Values Fund and other state assistance programs are expected to create or retain nearly 31,000 jobs, spanning nearly 450 projects in virtually all of Iowa’s 99 counties. Iowa also provides companies with tax credits and incentives on land, utilities and capital investment.

Among Iowa’s advantages:

• • Natural resources: Number one in the production of corn, soybeans, and eggs, Iowa has plentiful raw materials for food manufacturing. With the largest amount of biomass available on the planet, Iowa is the first in the nation to build an ethanol plant that will use corncobs and other plant material as the raw ingredients. Water and electrical power are also readily available.
• • Renewable energy capital of the United States: With 19 ethanol plants either under construction or being expanded, production capacity of ethanol plants in Iowa will double this year. The new capacity will increase the state’s ethanol production to 3.3 billion gallons a year, about twice the amount of gasoline consumed in Iowa over the course of a year. Iowa’s booming wind industry ranks fourth in the nation in wind energy output. More than 1,000 wind turbines stand tall on the landscape, capable of producing enough electricity to power 318,000 homes each year. Iowa has proven to be the ideal location for both operating wind turbines and manufacturing the turbines themselves. Iowa’s proven leadership and location in the epicenter of wind power development in the United States provides a solid foundation for this industry’s success.
• • Transportation hub: Iowa’s central geographic location is a unique feature and sets it apart from other Midwestern transportation hubs. Two major coast-to-coast, border-to-border interstate arteries pass through Iowa, principal roads in America’s transportation system.
• • Educated work force: Iowa is consistently recognized as a national leader in education and consistently ranks very high in the quality of elementary and secondary schools, as well as high-school graduation rates. An educated work force means more motivated employees, lower startup costs, lower training costs, fewer job-related accidents, shorter training periods, and an excellence — a pride — in quality and productivity.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) staff is headquartered in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. The state has offices located Japan and Germany, and also has a presence in China and Mexico. IDED’s dedicated team of professionals can assess opportunities and assist companies that are looking to expand or locate a business in the United States.