AGP Executive Report

Severe Weather & Power: Tornadoes confirmed outside Chicago tore through towns like Merrillville and Streator, while Midwest storms knocked out power for hundreds of thousands and disrupted flights; in Iowa, a 54-year-old man died in Des Moines after a tree fell during the storms. Manufacturing Jobs: John Deere is expanding hiring in Iowa—30 new jobs at Dubuque Works and callbacks for 20 workers at Davenport Works—citing stronger demand for construction equipment. Agriculture & Soil Health: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig highlighted cover-crop growth in Howard County, stressing timing and affordability as farmers weigh profitability. Local Healthcare: Keokuk residents packed city hall for a forum on Insight Health Services’ rural emergency hospital plan, focused on stabilization and coordinated transfers. Energy & Infrastructure: Iowa City reported a lightning-caused fire at a 12-unit apartment building, while the Mississippi River bridge project at Lansing hit a major center-span installation milestone with ferry service paused during work. Business & Policy: Employer groups urged the 8th Circuit to revisit a class-certification ruling tied to ERISA tobacco surcharges, arguing it could ripple across health plan rules. Community & Workforce: The Iowa State Fair opened hiring for 2026 roles across concessions, livestock control, parking, and more.

Workforce & Training: Iowa’s first Workforce Pell Grant applications are open, offering federal help for 8–15 week non-degree trade training, with Kirkwood Community College saying it can boost entry-level pipelines in health care, manufacturing and IT. Ag Tech & Feed Industry: Iowa State’s $35M Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex is expanding hands-on training for grain handling and feed manufacturing while building workforce capacity across Iowa’s grain and livestock sectors. Poultry Policy: Sen. Chuck Grassley pressed USDA on delaying the poultry grower payment rule, arguing small family growers are being left waiting while some integrators and trade groups support the delay. Energy & Costs: Iowa gas prices have fallen for a third straight week, down 13 cents to an average $3.78, easing pressure after earlier spikes. Manufacturing Jobs: John Deere is rehiring at its Dubuque and Davenport facilities, adding 30 jobs in Dubuque and 20 in Davenport as demand for construction equipment improves. Local Infrastructure: U.S. 75 will close June 17–June 30 between Hwy 60 near Le Mars and Hwy 10 north of Maurice, with a DOT detour routing traffic via Orange City and toward Maurice. Water Use Regulation: Iowa DNR posted draft water use permits for public review, including a Pocahontas County request tied to Dutchland Dairy’s well and pond withdrawals. Community & Weather: Storms across the region left thousands without power and triggered cleanup efforts, with MidAmerican reporting major outage restoration work underway. Data Center Debate: Salix residents remain concerned after MidAmerican disclosed it’s evaluating a data center development site, with no firm timeline yet.

Energy & Storm Response: Severe storms knocked out power across Iowa and the Midwest, including 7,634 Iowa City-area customers and 9,000+ in Johnson County at peak, while Dubuque crews cleared downed lines and trees after hundreds of calls. Fraud & Business Compliance: Iowa’s STOP Fraud Act (HF2678) is now law, giving the Secretary of State tools to investigate fraudulent business filings using residents’ home addresses. Data Centers & Local Impacts: MidAmerican Energy is evaluating 900 acres annexed into Salix for a possible data center, and Eastern Iowa campgrounds are filling as construction workers arrive. Trade & Agriculture: Sen. Chuck Grassley defended USMCA reauthorization, warning against changes that could hurt Iowa agriculture. Local Government & Infrastructure: Ames approved a $350,000 airport parking expansion funded by the FAA, and Iowa City’s school finances face state oversight after budget-control concerns. Legal/Business Disputes: Des Moines sued fire truck sellers over alleged “parasitic” pricing and anti-trust conduct; Precision of New Hampton is suing the city over permit-related claims. Agriculture Health Watch: Iowa issued guidance as New World screwworm spreads beyond Texas, raising concerns for livestock trade. Community & Events: Webster City Market Nights returns with Classic Car Night, and Marshalltown is gearing up for an “All Wheels Welcome” RAGBRAI overnight.

Livestock Health Alert: Iowa’s Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is urging producers, pet owners, and vets to watch for New World screwworm after detections in Texas and a confirmed case in a dog in New Mexico, stressing wound checks and quick reporting; officials say there’s no food-safety risk and the public health risk is low. Ag Policy & Trade: Iowa ag coalitions are pushing to keep and extend USMCA as Trump signals doubts about renewal, warning that uncertainty could hit key export markets. Workforce & Manufacturing Training: ALPLA opened a new Learning & Development Hub in Iowa City to support a paid three-year apprenticeship and industry-certified training. Energy & Storm Impacts: Severe storms knocked out power for thousands across Iowa and Wisconsin, including major outages reported by Alliant Energy and Madison Gas & Electric. Consumer Protection: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced a $4.87M multistate GS Labs COVID test settlement, including restitution for Iowans tied to overcharges and delayed results. Agribusiness Events: ISU’s Northern Research Farm will host a public field day June 25 with crop and herbicide injury updates. Local Business & Economy: A report on the Quad Cities job market says employment is steady, but manufacturers remain worried about raw material costs.

Logistics & Incentives: Cedar Rapids backed a $14M transportation and logistics facility with tax incentives for Caledonia Haulers, targeting a 40,000-square-foot site and a Dec. 2028 completion. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Iowa is issuing guidance as New World screwworm cases expand, while testing operations shift to a central facility in Kerrville, Texas—raising new vigilance needs for livestock producers. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recall updates. Energy & Tech Infrastructure: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a cloud migration overhaul with AWS and Cognizant to save $525M+ over a decade, plus Casey’s reported strong earnings and fuel growth. Water & Environment: DNR unveiled a revised Pattison Sand water permit, and drought conditions remain widespread after late-May dryness. Construction & Public Works: Lansing’s Mississippi River bridge center-span installation is set for Friday, affecting ferry service; Iowa City’s City Park Pool won’t reopen this summer due to setbacks. Workforce & Education: NICC honored employer partners for aligning programs with local industry needs.

Animal Health Watch: Iowa’s Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship rolled out guidance for livestock producers, pet owners, and vets after New World Screwworm cases were confirmed in Texas and a canine case was reported in New Mexico, urging routine wound checks and immediate reporting if maggots are found. Bridge & Construction: Iowa 9/WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge work hits a key milestone with center-span installation June 12, closing the free car ferry and restricting river traffic for the day. Housing & Finance: Iowa Finance Authority named Des Moines resident Serena Moss as the state’s first “Chief Door Opener” for National Homeownership Month, awarding her a $10,000 prize and ongoing housing guidance. Water & Utilities: Central Iowa Water Works issued a mandatory outdoor lawn watering ban tied to high nitrate levels and treatment capacity strain affecting more than 600,000 people. Local Business & Jobs: Two Rivers Bank & Trust will convert to First Mid Bank & Trust this weekend, with a transition plan for customers and expanded services. Agriculture Update: USDA says Iowa planting is nearly wrapped up, with corn at 98% and soybeans at 97% as recent showers brought relief.

University of Iowa Athletics: The Iowa Board of Regents will weigh Carver-Hawkeye Arena renovations (about $50M–$70M, funded by gifts) plus a new field hockey operations building near Grant Field (about $8.65M, also donation-backed). Outdoor Economy: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order creating the Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation under the Iowa Tourism Office, aiming to grow the nearly $6B outdoor recreation sector and support parks, partnerships, and business development. Livestock Health: USDA confirmed five new New World screwworm cases, including animals in Texas and New Mexico, and an Ames-based lab team is now helping Texas with testing, quarantines, and sterile fly releases. Water & Growth Pressure: Linn County is launching expanded water monitoring tied to data center development, while Central Iowa Water Works issued a mandatory lawn watering ban to protect drinking water amid elevated nitrate levels. Local Development & Housing: Fort Dodge is moving ahead on a new downtown workforce housing plan to replace the vacant Trolley Center, and Sioux City won $1.7M in LIHTC for redevelopment of the former LAMB Theatre into affordable apartments. Energy Policy Watch: A year-round E15 ethanol blend bill cleared the U.S. House but faces an uncertain Senate path.

Rural Health & Drugs: Civica Rural Hospital Program is launching with a $3.2 million grant to help Iowa-area rural hospitals pool purchasing power for cheaper generics and reduce shortage pressure. Healthcare Retail Strategy: Kroger is leaning into prevention and health services, partnering with Hy-Vee in Des Moines for its Nourishing Change push. Roads & Safety: Iowa DOT is taking public input on Highway 18 upgrades from Sanborn to Spencer, aiming to cut crashes with “Super-Two” improvements like turning lanes. Local Energy Projects: Page County supervisors will hear an update on MidAmerican’s 50-megawatt Nodaway Valley Solar Project. Water & School Transport: Sioux City is seeing savings from electric buses, while Iowa districts continue adding EV fleets via EPA grants. Agriculture & Pork: World Pork Expo optimism continues, but economists warn USMCA review could disrupt integrated North American pork supply chains. Animal Health: USDA confirmed additional New World screwworm cases in Texas, keeping quarantine and monitoring front and center. Business & Growth: Heart of America Group is proposing a mass-timber East Village HQ in Des Moines for council review.

Agriculture Recognition: Nominations are open through June 30 for Iowa State University Extension’s “Iowans Impacting Agriculture” award, honoring people advancing Iowa farming through innovation, resource conservation, and community leadership. USDA Workforce: Federal News Network reports some USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service employees face a June 30 deadline to choose relocation or separation under agency reorganization plans. Livestock Rules in Congress: A farm bill proposal would limit states’ ability to regulate livestock raising, targeting California’s Proposition 12 and raising alarms for Iowa producers about patchwork standards. Manufacturing Layoffs: Whirlpool says it will cut another 288 jobs at its Middle Amana refrigerator plant (totaling 879 since summer 2025), renewing pressure on Iowa’s manufacturing base. Energy/Infrastructure: Lightedge, based in Des Moines, says it will start selling IBM Power Virtual Server to IBM i customers, expanding cloud options in the region. Local Development: Fort Dodge’s City Council will consider replacing the long-vacant Trolley Center with a mixed-use four-story building featuring apartments and retail, plus workforce housing tax credits. Road Safety: Iowa launches a second annual Move Over enforcement push June 8-12, with fines up to $210.25 and possible license suspension. Ag Tech Visit: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig toured O’Brien County Ag Supply, highlighting John Deere tech that helps cut input use while improving field observations. Corrections Expansion: Iowa plans three new medium-security prisons and major renovations as inmate population is projected to rise nearly 50% over three years.

Water & Public Health: A new report spotlights how Iowa water pollution is harming recreation and public health, with residents reporting algal blooms and unsafe swimming conditions. Ag Policy & Livestock: Congress is weighing a farm bill change that would block states from regulating livestock raising, a direct fight over animal welfare rules like California’s gestation-crate limits. Data Centers & Utilities: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. data centers by 2030, as communities question AI’s strain on local water supplies. Energy Infrastructure: Save Morgan Valley is hosting a town hall on the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center natural gas plant, pitched as support for future high-energy users including data centers. Local Industry & Housing: Sioux City’s former LAMB Theatre building is set for redevelopment after winning $1.7M in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, adding 54 affordable units. Business & Construction: Ankeny plans to start Hawkeye Park tennis court reconstruction next week, replacing courts and adding safety and lighting upgrades.

Wind Power Backlash: A new U.S. push is paying some offshore wind developers to abandon projects midstream, a move critics say is reshaping the energy market and slowing clean power buildout. EV Charging Upgrade: An Illinois-area EV driver shared a “full-service” EV charging stop with a canopy, convenience store, restrooms, and a big price sign—an example of how charging is getting more like traditional fueling. Iowa Politics & Jobs: Democrats are lining up behind Rob Sand for Iowa governor with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, as the race turns competitive amid budget and health pressures. Affordable Housing: Sioux City won $1.7M in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to redevelop the former LAMB Theatre into The Web Apartments, adding 54 affordable units. Local Construction: Ankeny plans to start Hawkeye Park tennis court reconstruction next week, replacing courts and adding fencing, wind screens, and energy-efficient lighting. Renewable Fuel Mandates: U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers are ramping up to meet EPA Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026–27. Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a South Texas calf, triggering animal movement restrictions and renewed vigilance for cattle producers. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Iowa diesel and E85/E15 prices easing in late May, with county-by-county lows highlighted. Ag Field Day: Iowa State’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm hosts a June 25 field day focused on oats, herbicide injury, and current growing conditions. Manufacturing Layoffs: Whirlpool announced another 288 layoffs at its Middle Amana plant, bringing recent cuts to 879 since last summer.

Livestock Health Watch: Iowa officials are monitoring New World screwworm after a confirmed case in a Texas calf, with USDA and state teams using a movement stop and sterile-fly plans that won’t be fully operational until late 2027; pet owners are also being urged to keep dogs and cats on year-round protection and report suspicious wounds. Industrial Reshoring Pressure: Whirlpool announced another 288 layoffs at its Middle Amana refrigerator plant, bringing cuts to 879 since last summer, underscoring strain in appliance demand and rural Iowa job stability. Ag Input Costs: Iowa farmers are pushing back on fertilizer pricing and market concentration, arguing consolidation is squeezing options and driving up what it takes to buy key nutrients. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show E85 and E15 prices easing in parts of Iowa for the week ending May 30, while regular gas averages remain volatile statewide. Local Housing & Renewables: Ottumwa broke ground on the Vogel Heights Housing Development with city-backed financing, while Wapello County supervisors remain at odds over wind and solar ordinances. Ag Tech & Community Events: Iowa State’s Northern Research and Demonstration Farm hosts a June 25 field day, and local water outreach efforts expand in Kandiyohi County to help private-well residents test for nitrates and arsenic.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Whirlpool says it will end second-shift production at its Amana plant July 5, cutting 288 more workers and bringing recent total layoffs to 879, as the company pushes a modernization plan. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Iowa officials are monitoring the New World screwworm after USDA confirmed a Texas case in a calf; Iowa’s agriculture secretary says there’s no food-safety risk from properly cooked meat while teams stand ready. Energy & Costs: A new national look at residential electricity prices shows Iowa up 7.5% year over year, with grid investment and demand pressures cited. Local Infrastructure: Iowa DOT and Wisconsin DOT set the June 11-12 center-span installation for the WIS 82/IA 9 Mississippi River bridge, closing the ferry and restricting channel traffic. Public Health & Water: Princeton’s nitrate-contaminated backup well highlights a broader “source-water reliability” problem for small Iowa towns. Workforce & Training: University of Dubuque launches a two-year helicopter pilot associate program aimed at easing EMS pilot shortages. Community Services: Iowa’s summer meal program expands to 530+ sites statewide, offering free meals for kids and teens.

Livestock Health Watch: Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the state is monitoring USDA’s confirmation of New World screwworm in a Texas calf, stressing there’s no food-safety risk from the parasite and Iowa is “standing by” to respond if it threatens local cattle. Animal Health Preparedness: NASDA highlights animal disease prevention as the top concern for state agriculture departments, pointing to updated USDA response planning and tighter coordination with vets and producers. Ag Trade: Iowa farmers are urging renewal of USMCA ahead of a July review, arguing the deal keeps key Canada and Mexico markets open for corn, soybeans, ethanol and tractors. Energy & Water: Google pledged to replenish more water than it uses at data centers by 2030 and says it’s backing Iowa efforts to convert 5,000 acres in western Iowa to perennial hay and pasture to cut fertilizer and improve water quality. Business & Finance: Sen. Joni Ernst asks SBA to probe lenders USDA recently barred from its loan-guarantee program, warning about taxpayer risk in government-backed lending. Infrastructure: Lane reductions are coming for months on Cedar Rapids’ Blairs Ferry Road due to the I-380 overpass project, and the Lansing, Iowa–Wisconsin Mississippi River bridge center-span install will shut the free car ferry June 11-12. Manufacturing/Workforce: Whirlpool is ending its second shift at the Amana plant, affecting fewer than 300 workers, with union criticism of the move. Local Industry: Bosselman Pump & Pantry plans to expand by acquiring 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations across the Midwest, including multiple in the Des Moines area and Davenport. Agritech: BioCV Inc. (Ames) launched an intelligent sow monitoring system in North America using smart ear tags and analytics to flag heat, fever, farrowing and lameness earlier. Food Access: Iowa’s Department of Education says more than 530 meal sites will serve free summer meals statewide for kids through SUN Meals programs.

Drought Watch: Iowa’s dry spell worsened in late May, with about three-quarters of the state now classified as abnormally dry or worse, and topsoil moisture trending downward after May rainfall came in 2.06 inches below normal. Water & Climate Risk: Iowa farmers are bracing for “the worst of both” as climate change can mean long dry stretches followed by intense downpours that raise flooding risk even when soils are hard-packed. Livestock Health Threat: USDA confirmed the New World screwworm in a Texas calf, with Iowa’s lab testing samples and pork and cattle stakeholders watching closely as officials expand response zones and treatment plans. Data Center Push (and pushback): Developers are approaching Fairfax and Linn County about new data center sites near Morgan Creek, while residents cite traffic and land-use concerns. Road Safety: Iowa is raising speed limits on paved hard-surface roads from 55 to 60 mph starting July 1, with signage and enforcement adjustments expected. Rail Safety: A fatal semi-train crash in Poweshiek County is renewing attention on crossing safety, especially where crossings lack gates. Workforce/Community: West Marshall honored two longtime staffers—counselor Patti Edler and teacher Tammy Keigan—after decades of service as they retire. Business & Growth: SBA’s Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition is offering up to $1 million in growth funding for entrepreneurs, with Iowa-area participation highlighted.

Waterway & infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment for work at Lock and Dam 5 in Minnesota City, including removing a lower guidewall section and building an end cell, with construction targeted for late 2027–2028. Ag policy & markets: The National Pork Producers Council is urging a swift USMCA renewal ahead of a July review, warning that ongoing uncertainty is already affecting producers. Pork industry updates: Zoetis highlighted its “Champions of Care” initiative at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, naming three honorees. Livestock health threat: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a South Texas calf, triggering quarantines, movement controls, and expanded trapping and sterile fly releases—an issue that could ripple into livestock and food production. Iowa research & health: The University of Iowa launched INSIGHT, a five-year, $6 million initiative (aiming for $10 million) to study how environmental exposures like nitrates and PFAS affect health outcomes, including rising cancer rates. Local business & manufacturing: Peosta-based Mi-T-M won Iowa’s “Coolest Thing Made in Iowa” for its emission-free ePowerStation. Public safety: Eastern Iowa Airport and federal officials are investigating reports of drones near the flight path at Cedar Rapids. Education: Iowa’s new education standards law takes effect for 2027–28, expanding statewide testing to include social studies and updating health education requirements.