The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) was founded in 2003 with a mission to stimulate economic growth through the creation and expansion of high-impact businesses. Fast forward 17 years and the EDC has now supported more than 1,100 Iowa businesses who have generated over $3 billion of positive economic impact. The connections and ecosystem the EDC

Iowa legislators approved a new "Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program" in May. The measure creates a program at the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to help manufacturers erase the cost of new technology intended to boost "productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness." While the office state rules are still being written, grants will

Marion, IA – Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is in search of its next single family residence to renovate after a successful completion and sale of the first Marion Community Build, a home rehabilitation program of Community Promise. The effort is a partnership with the City of Marion, Marion Independent School District, Linn-Mar

Venture Academics, an innovative project-based learning model launches this fall. Led by the Linn-Mar Community School District, this community based program is a partnership with Marion Economic Development and Community Promise. Venture Academics allows students to earn high school credit by meeting Iowa Core standards and applying knowledge to real-world

The City of Marion plans to mark the anniversary of the derecho on Tuesday, Aug. 10 with a series of events. The events are intended to honor the anniversary and reflect on the progress that has been made. “The 2020 derecho will be etched in our collective memory not only as the greatest natural disaster in Marion’s history, but also one of its

Marion, IA – Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) announces the completion of the first Marion Community Build, a home rehabilitation program of Community Promise. The effort is a partnership together with the City of Marion, Marion Independent School District, Linn-Mar Community School District, and multiple business partners. In August

A long-awaited reconstruction project in Uptown Marion is slated to begin on July 13, 2021. Work is expected to begin in the 1200 block of 7th Avenue and proceed westerly. Detours will be posted for through traffic, but all businesses remain open. “Uptown Marion is about to get an impressive upgrade,” said Brooke Prouty, director of the Uptown

The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is a regional planning agency serving Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington Counties. The ECICOG Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) was established for new and existing business within this six-county region to assist in their development and expansion. Due to the impacts of COVID on local businesses