economic development

A small city on the Mississippi River will take more time to write zoning rules that could affect plans for one of the largest data centers in the state.

Rock Valley will receive $22 million for flood buyouts from FEMA. City leaders say the long-awaited funding will help dozens of families close one chapter of recovery and begin another.

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.