Monona County  Economic Development

If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration has a new loan program designed just for you.

SBA’s America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability.  Each small business is limited to one ARC loan.

ARC loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available or until September 30, 2010, whichever comes first.  Click HERE to find out more.

California Manufacturer Locates in Onawa

Horizon Ag–Products headquartered in Modesto, California will open its first mid-west manufacturing facility in Onawa this fall. The company produces organic soil additives in five manufacturing facilities mostly along the west coast. This is the company’s first  venture into their growing Midwest markets. Company President and CEO, Michael Farmar said, “We looked at a number of buildings in Iowa before settling on the 19,000 sq. ft. property in Onawa. The proximity to I-29 and the building met our manufacturing and distribution needs. The cooperation we received from the city in getting the site ready is what sold us on Onawa. We had tremendous coordination assistance from Sara Struble with the Monona County Economic Development Partnership.” Onawa Municipal Utilities will provide power to the Horizon Ag Products project.

HUBZone Program

This workshop provides Monona County business owners valuable information about applying for and winning federal government contracts and provides the information on how to benefit from being a certified HUBZone business.  The workshop and assistance is FREE!  Click HERE to download the PowerPoint presentation.  Email or call for a copy of the video presentation.
 

Iowa Sales Network

MyEntreNet

Iowa's Online Community for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

If you own your own business, then it's time you joined an exciting network of rural entrepreneurs; one where you can access and exchange valuable business information, chat live with a certified business counselor and other business owners, find out news of interest to your local business community, and learn about various classes, events, and workshops. You work long hours, wear many hats and face daily challenges. Connect with others who understand small business, and the experts that are dedicated to your success.  MyEntre.Net is your Online Community of Iowa Entrepreneurs and Service Providers growing, learning and sharing with each other.  Explore the many free resources found at the MyEntre.Net website today!  Dream Big. Grow Here.
 

ENTREPRENEURS WANTED

A diverse mix of information is available from MCEDP on the topics small business owners want to know about.  The information is available on PowerPoint and can be downloaded.  Pick a topic that interests you then contact MCEDP for more information.

Can your business weather an economic downturn

Healthcare alternatives for your business

Leading a branded organization

Leaving your business without losing your shirt

Making sense of new technology

The power of Market Research

Entrepreneurial communities - Models that work

IDED Innovation & Commercialization Division

Making Connections-Where's the Money

Online resources for small business

Creating a High Performance Organization

Making Your Company Memorable

Dare to be Different

"Iowa's Unlimited Future' article: Business Expansion Journal
... Struble says officials are in the process of identifying sites that would be locally certified as shovel ready, located in proximity to Interstate 29 and rail lines served by Union Pacific. “We are doing the groundwork to provide a quick turn around to support companies,” she says. The county doesn't have a large manufacturing base and has room for growth in its manufacturing sector. “We are located in an Enterprise Zone which provides a large number of tax advantages,” Struble notes. “We also offer several TIF areas in the county.”  Read the article...

MCEDP 2009 Annual Summary

This non-profit organization began in 2006 with an aggressive goal to advance a focused economic development growth agenda to enhance, position and market Monona County as the preferred business location in west central Iowa.  The Partnership asks that every business in Monona County take an active role in growing our county.  Take a closer look at our Strategy for Growth and our  2009 Annual Summary of accomplishments.