The Small Business Journal

During a special meeting in March, the Indianola City Council approved a special election to change the city’s form of government. The change would reduce the city council’s size by two members and throw out the position of an elected mayor. “Having an elected mayor, whose role by our charter is chief executive officer of … Continue reading »

The City of Norwalk offers tax abatement for improvements made to commercial and industrial properties. “It is basically an incentive package to help incentivize people to make improvements to their properties or to build new within the community,” Josh Haggen, director of Community Development in Norwalk, said. The tax abatement applies to the value improvements … Continue reading »

Carlisle is in the process of hiring a new city administrator and school superintendent. “Those are positions where, at least if you were in business, you would want someone who is business friendly,” city clerk administrator, Neil Ruddy said. “The city position would have more of an impact on businesses than the school district, but … Continue reading »

The City of Carlisle held a public hearing Monday about its proposed five-year improvement plan. The Carlisle Improvement Plan (CIP) helps the city council plan future city projects.  According to city clerk administrator, Neil Ruddy, several projects proposed in the plan would directly affect small business in Carlisle. The RISE Project: The Revitalize Iowa’s Sound … Continue reading »

Indianola city officials are beginning a study of how and where city residents spend their money. City Manager Eric Hanson said the comprehensive retail study will uncover where Indianolans spend their money, even when they’re outside of the city. “The reason I’m excited about it is it provides us data in terms of leakage,” Hanson, … Continue reading »