Melissa is an exceptional partner in regional economic development. Her ability to coordinate seamlessly with Alliant Energy ensures that Winnebago and Worth counties are always positioned for growth. She is proactive, deeply knowledgeable, and highly collaborative- bringing her into a project early is a guarantee that things will move forward efficiently and successfully.
— Chad Hansen , Alliant Energy
NW Iowa farmer appointed state director of USDA Rural Development
21 Sep 2025
News
President Trump has appointed a farmer and long-time state legislator from Rockwell City to serve as State Director for USDA Rural Development.
Mike Sexton, a fourth generation farmer, resigned from his seat in the Iowa House on Friday. Sexton and his wife raise grain-fed sheep on their Calhoun County Farm, without hormones or antibiotics, and sell lamb chops, ground lamb and other cuts of lamb from the Sexton Sheep Farm online store.
In 2013, Sexton received an entrepreneur of the year award from the Iowa Small Business Development Center for creating software for livestock operators, to keep track of nutrient loads from applying manure to farmland.
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The owners of nine small-scale meat processing shops in Iowa are splitting $355,000 in state grant money to expand their businesses.Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig said the “Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grants” have to be matched by the business and these grants are leveraging investments of nearly $2 million.“This is...
The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) recently awarded more than $1.3 million to bolster homelessness prevention efforts in every Iowa county. Funding comes through the new Iowa Homelessness Prevention Fund (IHPF) and will help hundreds of Iowans at-risk of homelessness.“The Iowa Finance Authority is proud to invest in proactive solutions that...
Cities of Rake & Thompson become HBI Communities
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