economic development

The City of Cedar Falls is moving forward with plans to build a new gas power plant. Cedar Falls Utilities, which is behind the project, says the plant will support the city's energy independence as the region's electrical grid is increasingly strained.

The issue of data centers is heating up in a small community just south of Sioux City. Residents say they were left in the dark, and Woodbury County officials are considering new regulations.

Data centers are massive and thirsty for water and power. Iowans are split on whether they're good neighbors. On this episode, the data center debate as cities and counties throughout the state are weighing potential data center installations. First, a Brookings Institution researcher on what rural communities stand to gain and lose from these developments. Then, Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz joins to discuss the ordinance they passed earlier this year and how it compares to other local governments' approaches to recent data center proposals. Iowa’s state geologist discusses whether Iowa's groundwater supply can handle the demand from data centers. And a public health researcher joins to discuss the public health implications from data centers powered by nonrenewable sources.

Each year, Choose Iowa awards grants to local farmers and agriculture-related businesses. The state initiative also helps promote products made and grown in Iowa — and it’s continuing to grow. One western Iowa farm is thriving with support from the program.

After the devastating floods in the summer of 2024, northwest Iowa communities continue to wait for federal buyout funds for nearly 270 homes, leaving local leaders urging swifter government action.

After seven years in the dark, Waverly’s Palace Theatre is hosting a grand reopening celebration this weekend. The nearly century-old movie theater has undergone major renovations and is opening just in time for the release of Wicked: For Good.