Poweshiek Development

09/03/2026

Our quarterly newsletter has been distributed to our email subscribers, sharing the latest updates and initiatives from Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative.

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's a great time to join. You'll receive local economic development news, updates, and opportunities straight to your inbox.

Subscribe here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/NxVBOGb

09/02/2026

Economic development is about turning plans into real results for our community.

Last summer, a downtown study identified ways to make Grinnell's downtown stronger, more public gathering spaces, new art, and a better experience for visitors. The next step was finding a way to pay for these improvements.

That solution is Prairie Thrift . This new nonprofit thrift store collects donations from the community and reinvests the proceeds back into downtown projects. It's a long-term funding source built to support Grinnell's future.

In its first month, Prairie Thrift saw strong community support, with about 2,600 visits from more than 2,200 shoppers. This shows real momentum for downtown Grinnell.

Every purchase and donation helps build a more vibrant, welcoming downtown for everyone.

Read the full story here:

Economic development is about more than creating plans—it's about turning ideas into lasting community impact.Last summer, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) partnered with the City of Grinnell, Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, and Poweshiek Development to complete a Downtown Assessm...

09/01/2026

Poweshiek Works: This Week's Area Job Openings

Local hiring drives local growth, and IowaWORKS is how Poweshiek County connects talent with opportunity. If you haven't already, like and follow the IowaWORKS page so you never miss a HotJobs update. New openings post every week, and the full expanded list is always available at the IowaWORKS office, covering openings across Central Iowa.
Job seekers: Your next career step might be right here. Stay connected, stay informed, and share these posts to help someone in your community find their next opportunity.
Employers: Every open position you don't fill is a missed chance to grow our local economy. Skilled workers are actively looking right now, so don't keep your openings a secret. List your jobs with IowaWORKS today and put your business in front of job seekers who are ready to work right here in Poweshiek County. Strong local businesses build a strong local economy. Let's fill these roles together.
📞 Contact IowaWORKS to post your openings or learn more about hiring support and resources available to local employers.

Good Morning, Job Seekers — and Happy National Trail Mix Day!

Much like a mix of nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate coming together for a great snack, this week’s HotJobs list is a blend of opportunities across Central Iowa!

While our in‑office HotJobs list includes a second page, remember that the list isn’t meant to be the end‑all, be‑all of your job search. It’s a tool to spark ideas, highlight companies to explore, and inspire you to discover career paths you may not have considered before.

Be sure to like and follow the IowaWORKS page — we rarely duplicate companies, and older lists (all available on our page) may still have active openings. We also post additional job opportunities throughout the week.

If your company would like to be included in the HotJobs list or featured on our page, just reach out and ask for Michelle or Frank at the IowaWORKS office.

Your IowaWORKS team has Career Planners ready to help with résumés, interview preparation, and career searches. We also offer educational resources and programs through our CareerBridge Team for Adult and Dislocated Workers. And if you need boots, tools, or equipment to start a new job, Ticket to Work may be able to help.
Use our referral system for a quick response: https://ow.ly/jPX550ZxJys

Have a great week, good luck in your search, and remember — we’re here to assist you every step of the way.


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Below is a text version of the attached graphic for anyone needing accommodation accessing the information.
Tank Cleaning Technician - Tri-Rinse - $22+ - Ackley
Concrete Laborer/Finisher - Ames Concrete Contractors - $20-$25 - Ames
Machine Operator - Amcor - $16-$19 - Ames
Shipping Coordinator - Re*****on Seeds - FT - Belle Plaine
Corporate Sanitation Manager - Daisy Brand - $27+ - Boone
Skilled Construction Team Member - Zellmer Buildings - FT - Boone
Inventory Cycle Counter - Ritchie Industries - FT - Conrad
Experienced Shop Technician - Boss Truck Shops - FT - Elk Run Heights
Heavy Equipment Operator - Martin Marietta Materials - FT - Gilman
Kettle Tender - Mom's Meals - FT - Grinnell
Facility Operations & Maintenance - Heartland Co-Op - FT - Grundy Center
Overhead Door Technician - OnTrack Overhead Doors - $18-$25 - Iowa Falls
Elevator Operator - Cargill - FT - Iowa Falls
Multi-Site Supervisor - Seaboard Foods - FT - Iowa Falls
Caregiver - Sevita - $15+ - Marshalltown
Diesel Mechanic - Rasmusson - FT - Marshalltown
Iowa Valley Community College - CDL Training - FULL PROGRAM OPEN! - Opportunity - Marshalltown
Apprenticeships!! - Labors Union 177 - LiUNA - FT - Marshalltown
Shipping Supervisor - Packaging Corporation of America - $63k+ - Marshalltown
Production Team Member - Midwest Manufacturing - FT - Marshalltown
Assembler/Machine Operators - Lennox International - $20+ - Marshalltown
Manufacturing Spray Paint Team - Emerson - FT - Marshalltown
Production Worker/Assembler - Paragon International - $17+ - Nevada
Maintenance Technician - Burke (Hormel Foods) - FT - Nevada
Tool Designer - AFC Industries - $24-$28 - Newton
Manufacturing Associate - TPI Composites - FT - Newton
Kitting Coordinator - The Vernon Company - $20-$22 - Newton
Field Technician HVAC - training - Brooker Corporation - $17-$25 - Newton
Countertop Fabricator & Installer - Big Creek Granite - $20-$30 - Norway
Electronic Technician - Musco Sports Lighting - FT - Oskaloosa
Wind Technician - Siemens Gamesa - FT - Otho
Production - Pella Corporation - $23+ - Pella
Production Operator - Vylor - FT - Reinbeck
Iowa Premium (National Beef) - Maintenance Technician - $25-$35 - Tama
Caregiver - Visiting Angels - FT - Tama
Fleet Technician 3 (Entry Level) - PepsiCo Beverages North America - 30 - Waterloo
Construction Craftsperson - Woodruff Construction - FT - Waterloo
Production Coordinator - Hydrite - FT - Waterloo
Production Scheduler - Mary Ann's Specialty Foods - FT - Webster City

Equal employment opportunity and program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by emailing [email protected]
For the deaf or hard of hearing, use Relay 711.

08/28/2026

Poweshiek Development is pleased to spotlight the Ahrens Foundation as an Investor Level Member.
Since 1993, the Ahrens Foundation has been a driving force for good in Poweshiek County, supporting education, healthcare, and economic vitality across our community.
"Poweshiek County isn't just where we operate, it's the heart of our mission," says Gosselink. "The foundation exists because of the people, history, and values of this community."
Congratulations to Julie on her 25th anniversary with the foundation!
Read our full article at: https://www.poweshiekdevelopment.com/features

08/27/2026

Connecting Brooklyn Businesses with Downtown Revitalization Resources

On August 10th, we partnered with Region 6 Resource Partners, the Brooklyn Economic Development Group, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to bring local business and building owners together to learn about the potential CDBG Commercial Façades Program.

Julie Winter with Region 6 shared information about the program and what it could mean for downtown Brooklyn.

Check out our blog post for more details: https://www.poweshiekdevelopment.com/post/connecting-brooklyn-businesses-with-downtown-revitalization-resources

08/26/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dana McFarland to the Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative Board!

Dana grew up in Lynnville before moving to Sully, where she and her husband raised their family for 24 years. In 2024, she made the move full-time to Lake Ponderosa, where she now lives. Dana is a Realtor with Century 21 Signature Real Estate, bringing valuable real estate and community insight to our board.

When she's not working, you'll find Dana spending time with family, exploring country roads on the Ranger, or enjoying boat rides on Lake Ponderosa.

Dana is especially excited to help small businesses across Poweshiek County build sustainability and grow. A mission that lines up perfectly with our own. In fact, when asked to describe our mission in one word, Dana said it best: Connection.

Welcome to the team! We're so glad to have you!

08/25/2026

A big thank you to the City of Hartwick for hosting Sacha Wise and Jimmy T. from IEDA on July 28th, and for showing us around and sharing your community with us. The visit gave us a firsthand look at the community and a chance to introduce local leaders and businesses to the resources available through the state.

Thank you to Sacha and Jimmy for taking the time to connect with Hartwick and share what IEDA has to offer.

We appreciate the City of Hartwick's hospitality and continued partnership as we work together to support economic development across our county.

Check out our blog post for more details: https://www.poweshiekdevelopment.com/post/connecting-hartwick-with-state-resources

08/24/2026

Save the date! Join us on August 27th from 3-7pm for a fun-filled community event located in and around Central Park in Grinnell, IA (925 3rd Ave)!
Come see tractors, enjoy a variety of food trucks, and check out Melissa's presentation.
Follow the Grinnell Lions Club page for more details as the day approaches!

Central Park, 925 3rd Ave, Grinnell, IA
Thursday, August 27 | 3:00pm - 7:00pm

08/24/2026

Poweshiek Works: This Week's Area Job Openings
Good morning! Local hiring drives local growth, and IowaWORKS is how Poweshiek County connects talent with opportunity. If you haven't already, like and follow the IowaWORKS page so you never miss a HotJobs update. New openings post every week, and the full expanded list is always available at the IowaWORKS office, covering openings across Central Iowa.
Job seekers: Your next career step might be right here. Stay connected, stay informed, and share these posts to help someone in your community find their next opportunity.
Employers: Every open position you don't fill is a missed chance to grow our local economy. Skilled workers are actively looking right now, so don't keep your openings a secret. List your jobs with IowaWORKS today and put your business in front of job seekers who are ready to work right here in Poweshiek County. Strong local businesses build a strong local economy. Let's fill these roles together.
Contact IowaWORKS to post your openings or learn more about hiring support and resources available to local employers.

Good Morning, Job Seekers!

This week’s HotJobs list features opportunities from 26 communities across Central Iowa, with no duplicated positions from last week. In today’s low hire, low fire environment, it’s more important than ever to put your best foot forward when applying. Take time to update your résumé and tailor your cover letter for each position — small adjustments can make a big difference.

Most employers use the STAR method during interviews: Situation – Task – Action – Result Think through a few examples ahead of time so you can speak confidently and fluidly when it’s time for your interview. Use our referral system for a quick response: https://ow.ly/jPX550ZxJys
Your IowaWORKS office has Career Planners available to help you prepare, practice, and strengthen your application materials.

There is also an expanded HotJobs list available through the Marshalltown IowaWORKS office, with even more opportunities to explore.

Stay cool in this heat and have a wonderful week.


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Below is a text version of the attached graphic for anyone needing accommodation accessing the information.
Certified Nursing Assistant - Village of Ackley - FT - Ackley
General Laborer - Central Iowa Fabrication - FT - Alden
Warehouse Associate - Hussmann Corporation - FT - Altoona
Packaging Operator - Barilla - $19-$29 - Ames
Dump Truck Driver - Con-Struct - $21-$29 - Ames
Press Operator - Heuss Printing - $19-$28 - Ames
Tool Room Machinist - Technical Services, Inc. - FT - Ames
Installation Tech - Upfit - MacQueen - FT - Baxter
Material Handler - Ventura Foods - FT - Bondurant
Production Associate - Thombert - $21+ - Brooklyn
Plant Packager - Green Products - $17-$19 - Conrad
Petroleum Service Technician - Heartland Co-Op - FT - Elberon
Certified Med Aide - Mayflower Community - FT - Grinnell
Service-Technician - Ascendance Truck Center - FT - Grundy Center
Downstream Tech - Advanced Drainage Systems - $18.50+ - Iowa Falls
Safety & Operations Coordinator - ESCO Group - FT - Iowa Falls
Welding & Machine Operator - Central Iowa Machine Shop - FT - Marshalltown
HVAC Apprentice - Ethington Heating & Cooling - $15-$25 - Marshalltown
Production - JBS USA - FT - Marshalltown
Roll Clamp Driver - Packaging Corporation of America - $18+ - Marshalltown
Mechanic Welder - Progress Rail - $24+ - Marshalltown
Diesel Mechanic - VanWall - FT - Marshalltown
Lead Millwright - Mid-States Companies - $28-$32 - Nevada
Sewing Team Member - Pella Products - FT - New Sharon
General Laborer (Pallet Repair) - Kamps Pallet - $17+ - Newton
Maintenance Assistant - Newton Health Care Center - FT - Newton
Forklift Operator - TPI Composites - FT - Newton
Line Mechanic Apprentice - MidAmerican Energy Company - FT - Oskaloosa
Equipment Operator - TK Concrete Inc. - FT - Pella
Construction Laborer - RW Excavating Solutions - FT - Prairie City
Mill Assistant - Mid-Iowa CoOp (Mid-Iowa Milling) - FT - State Center
Entry Level Manufacturing - American Packaging Corporation - FT - Story City
Consumer Safety Inspector - USDA Food Safety and Inspection Svc - $19-$38 - Tama
Production Operator - Magna International - FT - Victor
Plumbing and/or HVAC Technician - Edwards Plumbing and Heating - FT - Vinton
Automotive Technician - Blake's Auto Repair - FT - Webster City
Production Specialist - Persistent Biocontrol - $18-$23 - Webster City
General Laborer - Scrap Processors Inc. - $20-$23 - Webster City
Woodworker - Iowa Custom Wood Company - $15-$25 - Williamsburg

Equal employment opportunity and program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by emailing [email protected]
For the deaf or hard of hearing, use Relay 711.

08/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Brooklyn Business Builder Series! We're so grateful for the time you invested in growing your business and Poweshiek County.

A huge thank you as well to our incredible partners who shared their time and expertise to make this series possible!

The Iowa Center, Brooklyn, Iowa Chamber of Commerce
Michael J Manatt Community Center Brooklyn Economic Development