AGP Executive Report

Iowa Transportation & Construction: Iowa DOT crews are updating about 1,800 speed-limit signs as the state’s rural default limit rises to 60 mph, with Woodbury County warning the work could strain budgets since sign changes weren’t planned. Public Safety: Des Moines County reports a rash of road sign thefts that can create serious hazards, and officials are asking residents to help track down missing signs. Food & Agriculture Compliance: Iowa regulators opened a statewide safety investigation into Black Hills Energy after concerns from a 2025 pipeline inspection. Consumer Protection: Iowa AG Brenna Bird won a case aimed at restoring competition and free speech in digital advertising, targeting “Big Six” practices. Health & Food Recalls: FDA-linked outbreaks are driving recalls and warnings, including cyclospora concerns tied to Hy-Vee, Aldi and Jewel-Osco packaged salads, plus a salmonella peach recall that includes Iowa. Animal Welfare Enforcement: Federal authorities seized 32 dogs from an Iowa breeder after a court order cleared USDA access. Energy & Infrastructure: Council Bluffs rejected a data center moratorium, while residents continue pushing back on a proposed transmission line route. Market Watch: Cattle futures ended a holiday-shortened week lower.

Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Iowa AG Brenna Bird and other attorneys general reached a multistate settlement over alleged egg price manipulation, with Versova/Centrum Valley Farms (Sioux Center, tied to Iowa), Cal-Maine Foods and Hickman’s Egg Ranch agreeing to pay $3.3M and donate 53 million eggs, pending court approval. Local Governance & Data Centers: Ames residents packed a listening session to challenge Lightedge’s proposed airport-area data center, citing water, power, environmental impacts, and trust in follow-through. Utilities & Pipeline Safety: The Iowa Utilities Commission opened a broader investigation into Black Hills Energy after earlier findings of more than 100 safety issues across a northwest Iowa pipeline system, raising the prospect of civil penalties. Consumer Protection: Iowa AG Bird sued Temu under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, alleging deceptive marketing, misleading pricing, and improper data collection. Infrastructure Watch: Iowa speed limits are rising on some highways to 60 mph as DOT updates thousands of signs, with counties handling remaining rural changes. Community & Industry: Arconic announced a $175M aluminum casting expansion at Davenport Works, backed by $6.55M in Iowa tax credits.

Egg Price-Fixing Settlement: DOJ and 17 state AGs reached a civil deal with major egg producers, including Iowa’s Versova (Sioux Center), requiring $3.3M in payments and about 53 million donated eggs to food banks, with no criminal charges announced. Consumer Fraud Watch: Iowa AG Brenna Bird sued Temu, alleging deceptive product claims, improper data harvesting, and price misrepresentation under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. Construction & Safety: U.S. 218 in Waterloo shifts to continuous single-lane closures starting July 6 through mid-October; separately, a catwalk collapse at a Farley site sent two workers to hospitals after a ~40-foot fall. Agriculture & Markets: USDA’s weekly crop report points to improving fieldwork days with northern rain helping crops, while Iowa ethanol use and soybean crush both rose year over year. Workforce & Policy: A House farm labor bill would expand H-2A access for year-round agriculture, a key ask for pork producers. Logistics: Ruan expanded customs brokerage for U.S.-Mexico shipments, adding tech-driven clearance and compliance support. Energy & Infrastructure: Sioux County data-center developers say an end user was secured before a moratorium; Iowa also moves to 60 mph on rural two-lane roads starting July 1.

SNAP Funding Shake-Up: States could owe millions next year for SNAP payment errors, with Iowa Hunger Coalition warning the shift could mean less help for people who need it. Energy & Utilities Oversight: The Iowa Utilities Commission is expanding a safety investigation into Black Hills Energy after hundreds of pipeline issues surfaced in northwest Iowa. Antitrust & Food Prices: DOJ and 17 states reached a settlement with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing, requiring $3.3M in fines and 53M donated eggs—an Iowa-linked case that underscores pressure on grocery costs. Manufacturing & Jobs: Whirlpool workers in Iowa are losing jobs despite tariffs, while Wells Fargo layoffs in West Des Moines add to a growing total. Local Industry Moves: Bonomi North America is buying Webster City’s Perin Machining Company, and KENT WORLDWIDE marked a grand opening for a new cat litter manufacturing facility in Iowa. Agriculture & Water Quality: Iowa expanded a streamside buffer program across all 22 counties in the Greater Des Moines Watershed to cut runoff. Community & Workforce: Iowa State recognized spring dean’s list and president’s list students, and Sioux Center Health is rolling out AI to reduce admin work and improve documentation.

Egg Price-Fixing Settlement: Iowa AG Brenna Bird announced a multistate deal with major egg producers that resolves allegations of coordinated bidding to inflate egg price quotes—companies will pay $3.3M and donate 53M eggs, with Iowa receiving $89,931. Energy & Infrastructure Oversight: The Iowa Utilities Commission opened a safety investigation into Black Hills Energy’s pipeline operations after inspectors found more than 100 issues in northwest Iowa; a show-cause hearing is set for Aug. 27. Local Tech Growth vs. Water/Power Concerns: Woodbury County supervisors approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications in unincorporated areas, as Salix’s annexation could enable a large project. Farm Labor Policy: House Ag Chair GT Thompson unveiled the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act to overhaul the H-2A program, including expanding access for dairy and year-round livestock operations. Used Wind Turbine Blade Liability: The Iowa Supreme Court ruled a Texas company’s top executive can be held liable for used blades stored in Iowa without recycling, after the state sought penalties and an injunction. Workforce & Business: Iowa State University’s engineering program received higher-learning approval, and Iowa is accepting applications for a new manufacturing workforce training grant.

Energy & Utilities Oversight: The Iowa Utilities Commission opened a statewide pipeline safety investigation into Black Hills Energy after a June 2025 inspection found more than 100 issues across 16 categories in northwest Iowa, and regulators are now looking for broader company-wide safety and management problems. Local Infrastructure & Construction: Mason City crews begin 19th St SW paving with short daily closures and detours starting Tuesday. Data Centers & Local Governance: Dubuque County supervisors debated revisions to a 12-month data center moratorium, with attorneys warning about court risk and pushing for clearer ordinance language. Industrial Growth: Dubuque-based Hodge broke ground on a $16M material handling facility off Seippel Road, with plans for a larger phase two. Agriculture & Weather: USDA crop progress shows Iowa corn and soybeans still behind last year’s pace but generally rated good to excellent, while El Niño forecasts point to drier July conditions. Retail & Food Business: Casey’s, based in Ankeny, outlined a push to add at least 400 stores over three years while expanding prepared foods and using tech to run more efficiently. Public Safety & Health: Iowa DOT crews are adjusting operations for a summer heat wave, and Bremer County supervisors discussed opioid settlement funding and roadside management.

Ag Policy & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Monsanto in a Roundup liability fight, ruling federal pesticide law can block state failure-to-warn claims—an outcome closely watched in farm states. Iowa Utilities: The Iowa Utilities Commission opened an investigation into Black Hills Energy’s pipeline safety compliance after a 2025 inspection found more than 100 issues across northwest Iowa communities. Data Centers & Local Planning: Salix is weighing a potential 900-acre data center campus after MidAmerican interest surfaced, while other Iowa counties have been moving toward moratoriums amid water and power concerns. Agriculture Watch: USDA crop progress shows Iowa corn and soybeans still behind last year’s pace, with corn and soybean condition slipping slightly even as the Pro Farmer index shows modest improvement in some areas. Heat Preparedness: Iowa City opened cooling centers as heat index values near 110°F, including recreation centers, pools, splash pads, and library hours. Economic Development: Davenport received a $100,000 state grant to stabilize and restore historic Raphael’s Emporium, aiming to bring new tenants to a long-vacant building. Workforce & Education: The University of Dubuque won approval to launch a four-year engineering program starting fall 2027, targeting local workforce needs.

Housing & Safety: States and cities are loosening building code rules to cut construction costs, including allowing some low-rise apartments to use just one stairway, but critics warn these changes could raise risk where safety standards were shaped by past tragedies. Iowa Construction Watch: Marshalltown paused a decision on chain-link fencing for the Center Street viaduct, with the city weighing alternatives and costs. Iowa Jobs & Pay: A Des Moines hiring study shows job openings and wages up in Q1, but pay growth still trails inflation. Ag Weather & Risk: Frost, flooding, and slow growth are pressuring crops, while Iowa’s nitrate concerns keep resurfacing as monitoring and water restrictions draw attention. Pork Industry Update: USDA reports U.S. hog inventory edging lower; Iowa remains the top state by headcount. Legal/Ag Policy: The Supreme Court blocked many Roundup “failure to warn” lawsuits, limiting state-law claims against Monsanto. Manufacturing & Tech: Dyndrite joins a DoD effort to speed AI-driven qualification for additive manufacturing, and American Packaging Corporation in Story City announced a CEO transition. Local Economy: Cedar Crossing Casino nears opening in Cedar Rapids, with nearby businesses already adjusting and hiring. Workforce Health: PRRS risk is shifting for pork producers, with veterinarians urging year-round biosecurity as outbreaks show up outside the usual season.

Water Quality & Agriculture: Iowa’s nitrate problem is back in the spotlight as a lawn watering ban and winter nitrate-removal operations highlight ongoing pressure on drinking-water sources and nutrient reduction efforts. Energy & Infrastructure: Woodbury County approved a one-year moratorium on new data center proposals in unincorporated areas, citing water and power concerns while leaving existing projects alone. Pork & Livestock: USDA reports U.S. hog inventory at 73.7 million head as of June 1, with Iowa holding the largest state inventory at 24.7 million. Trade & Business Planning: Analysts say USMCA renewal odds have dropped ahead of the July 1 mandatory review, with uncertainty potentially pushing businesses toward annual decision-making. Local Development: Downtown Davenport Partnership unveiled a refreshed downtown brand and pointed to more than $68M in planned investment projects. Manufacturing & Supply Chains: A textile exporter says global politics, tariffs, and sourcing limits (like polyester and dye) are forcing U.S. buyers and Iowa-area manufacturers to adapt logistics and messaging fast. Health Policy: A legal fight over SNAP food restrictions continues, with courts emphasizing Congress sets the rules.

SNAP Food Rules in Court: A federal judge blocked Iowa and other states from restricting SNAP purchases of soda and candy, arguing the administration can’t change what Congress defines—raising stakes for Iowa’s summer food program plans. Ag Trade & Policy: Coverage highlights how USMCA underpins major U.S. ag exports to Canada and Mexico, while farm groups push for renewal and a new farm bill draft that keeps SNAP cuts contentious. Iowa Manufacturing & Jobs: Cedar Rapids’ newest manufacturer and a wave of hiring/promotions in the Corridor point to continued investment, alongside notes on Whirlpool layoffs in Amana. Energy & Infrastructure: Iowa’s heat wave is driving HVAC demand and higher electricity use, while nuclear and grid discussions keep data centers and power planning in focus. Local Business & Community: Business Notes track new hires and expansions, including Mortenson leadership in Iowa and a Clear Lake grant to build the world’s largest Buddy Holly guitar. Education & Leadership: West Sioux School District names a new superintendent and principals as construction nears completion.

Ag Trade & Policy: USMCA’s six-year review is back in focus, with the pact supporting about 13 million U.S. jobs and moving roughly $60B in U.S. agricultural goods to Canada and Mexico. Markets Watch: Grain traders are trying to find a bottom ahead of upcoming USDA reports as weather and export demand keep futures choppy. Food & Farm Economics: A new Farm Bureau marketbasket survey puts the average cost of a 10-person Fourth of July cookout at $73.82, up about 4% year over year, while farmers still receive less than six cents per food dollar. SNAP Fight: A federal judge blocked Iowa’s SNAP “junk food” restrictions, and Iowa leaders say they’ll keep pushing for waivers even as the ruling threatens summer food aid. Energy & Heat: With Iowa heat pushing into the 90s, HVAC demand is expected to surge; MidAmerican also urges small thermostat and usage tweaks to manage higher electricity demand. Local Spotlight: Clear Lake won a $50,000 T-Mobile grant to build the world’s largest Buddy Holly guitar in the Surf District. Business Notes: BankIowa promoted Robb Loftsgard to lead the Corridor market, covering Cedar Rapids to Iowa City.

New Manufacturing Jobs: Sub-Zero cut the ribbon on a $140M, 600,000-square-foot Cedar Rapids plant and says a major hiring push starts this summer, with the first phase targeting nearly 200 full-time jobs. Data Center Siting & Power Strain: Henry County supervisors heard concerns as data centers and bitcoin mining chase scarce electricity, with residents warning about higher local costs and regulators weighing next steps. Local Traffic Impacts: Iowa DOT plans a temporary traffic signal in Swisher ahead of a July I-380 ramp closure, citing congestion tied to regional backups and nearby data center construction. Industrial Park Growth: Webster City officially opened Gateway Industrial Park, highlighting state support for certified rural sites and new momentum for job-creating development. AI/HPC Data Center Expansion: Edged topped out its first building at Project Lola in Council Bluffs, while Z Squared acquired an Arkansas site to build an AI/HPC campus. SNAP Restrictions Blocked: A federal judge paused SNAP waivers that would have limited purchases of soda and candy, fueling fresh debate over public health rules versus program authority. Iowa Dairy Investment: Iowa’s Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation grants are sending nearly $400K to Eastern Iowa projects, backing upgrades in processing, robotics, feeding, and herd health tech. Workforce & Hiring Scrutiny: A new focus on “résumé inflation” is pushing Iowa employers to tighten verification and screening to reduce legal and operational risk. Rural Water & Soil Health: A “Water Quality 101” event in Somers spotlights nitrate concerns and conservation practices like cover crops and strip-till. Energy & Rural Health: Lawmakers toured Iowa hospitals tied to the Rural Health Transformation program, pointing to modernization efforts in access and care delivery. Whirlpool Amana Layoffs: Whirlpool says second-shift production will end July 5 as part of modernization, affecting about 288 additional jobs after earlier cuts.

Ag Lending & Local Banking: TS Bank welcomed Michael Dentlinger as vice president of ag and business banking in Atlantic, bringing five years of ag and commercial lending experience and training through Iowa’s banking programs. Farm Economics: A north Iowa grain producer says there’s “not a lot on the table” to boost margins as input costs stay high and corn/soy prices have fallen. Conservation on the Ground: A central Iowa farmer expanded strip-till and cover crops, planting wheat and rye ahead of corn/beans to cut erosion and protect seedlings. Ag Tech & Data: Iowa’s DOT rolled out SICPA’s secure temporary tag system to curb counterfeit temp plates and improve officer and public safety. Manufacturing Expansion: AU Solutions will build a $17M manufacturing facility in Newton, aiming to create 22 jobs, supported by Iowa tax credits. Wind Industry Compliance: O’Brien County continues talks on a new decommissioning agreement tied to the Highland Wind Farm repowering. Energy Outlook: Iowa researchers see potential for geological hydrogen, but say it will take funding and better data sharing to unlock exploration. Cattle Feedlot Programming: Iowa State’s Iowa Beef Center is hosting Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days across four locations in August, focusing on data-driven feedlot decisions and new tech. Policy & Legal Fight: Seventeen Republican AGs, including Iowa’s, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide. Infrastructure & Safety: Counties are scrambling to meet a July 1 speed limit sign change tied to a new state law raising two-lane highway limits by 5 mph.

SNAP Legal Shake-Up: A federal judge struck down state rules restricting what people can buy with SNAP, targeting pilots in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia—meaning Louisiana’s new soda/candy limits can’t be enforced unless a higher court steps in. Food Industry & Antitrust: Cal-Maine and other egg suppliers are nearing a DOJ and state settlement over alleged price coordination, with reports pointing to civil penalties and a requirement to stop sharing sensitive pricing info. Iowa Agriculture & Livestock Markets: CME coverage shows hog herd levels steady year-over-year as pork prices tick higher, while cattle futures rose on tight supplies and strong cash bids. Dairy Policy Watch: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is urging Senate action on the Agricultural Act of 2026 discussion draft, pushing for dairy program reauthorizations and permanency on key pricing provisions. Iowa Business Growth: Webster City’s 478-acre Gateway Industrial Park earned an Iowa Certified Site designation from IEDA, clearing the way for faster industrial expansion. Energy & Infrastructure: The Iowa Conservative Energy Forum’s Energy Dialogue highlighted Duane Arnold’s future, renewable growth, and the need for transmission upgrades as data centers expand. Public Safety & Local Ops: Cedar Rapids responded to a major industrial fire with no reported injuries; the cause remains under investigation.

Fireworks Safety: Des Moines is cracking down for the Fourth—consumer fireworks are only allowed on private property (July 3, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; July 4, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.), with parks and public spaces off-limits and $200 fines for violators. Public Health: UnityPoint Health’s Finley Hospital is urging people to skip home fireworks after national injury stats, warning that ER surges are coming and that kids should never handle fireworks. Livestock & Agriculture: Iowa Swine Day coverage highlights PRRS as a stubborn hurdle despite better management, with ISU experts pointing to biosecurity, herd strategies, vaccines and the virus’s fast spread and mutation. Young Farmers: A Polk City producer says new farmers can succeed by thinking beyond tradition—using cover crops, networking, and understanding USDA “young farmer” eligibility. Food & Retail: UNFI recognized Frontier Co-op with a Legacy Supplier Award at its selling show, spotlighting innovation and community impact in Iowa’s natural products supply chain. Local Economy & Growth: Casey’s says it plans to add 400 stores over three years as it rolls out a new strategic plan. Infrastructure & Planning: Woodbury County approved a one-year data-center moratorium amid transparency concerns and local debate over tax and land impacts. Policy Watch (SNAP): A federal judge blocked Iowa and other states’ SNAP soda/candy restrictions, keeping those items eligible while the legal fight continues. Energy & Markets: Dataprana announced two Houston-area AI/HPC data-center sites totaling 92MW, aiming to energize within about a year for the first phase.

Iowa Economic Development: The IEDA Board approved incentives for two manufacturers and three community projects, backing a Pries Enterprises aluminum extrusion expansion in Independence and an AU Solutions ag-chemical facility in Newton, plus CAT grants in Le Mars, Ogden and Wellman—aimed at 65 jobs and $51.5M in new investment. Energy & Infrastructure: MidAmerican crews traced a major KMAland outage to a Clarinda substation transformer, restoring service after reconfiguration. Ag Health Watch: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says New World screwworm is a growing livestock threat as it spreads north from Texas, with Iowa and USDA monitoring animal movement. Data Centers Debate: Ames and other Iowa communities are weighing data center growth and regulation, with residents pushing for clearer answers on power, water and local impacts. SNAP Policy Shock (National, with Iowa stakes): Federal court rulings keep soda and candy eligible under SNAP, while broader SNAP payment-error cost rules could pressure states’ budgets. Local Main Street: Marshalltown’s Central Business District is taking applications for the 2026 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant, offering $25,000–$100,000 for building rehab and upper-story housing.