IEDA Board approves assistance for six established companies, three startups and six community quality of life projects

IEDA Board approves assistance for six established companies, three startups and six community quality of life projects

IEDA awarded innovation funding to startup

September 19, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for six companies, which will assist in the creation and retention of 305 jobs and result in $267 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Altoona, Ankeny, Eldridge, Fairfield, Iowa City and Knoxville. The board also approved assistance for startups in Coralville, Iowa City and Waukee. In addition, projects in Bondurant, Shenandoah and West Des Moines received a Destination Iowa grant and projects in Lenox, Newton and Louisa County received a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant. IEDA recently approved assistance from Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Innovation Fund for a startup in Iowa City.

Wisconsin manufacturer to expand operations in Altoona

Robinson, Inc. is a metal fabrication company that has been in operation for 50 years. The company, currently in Wisconsin, plans to lease an 800,000-square-foot newly constructed manufacturing facility in Altoona and invest in new machinery and equipment. The project represents a capital investment of $75.8 million and is expected to create 100 jobs, of which four are incented at a qualifying wage of $36.65 per hour. The board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

New Horizon Cuisine to construct a new facility in Ankeny

A full-service sauce and flavor manufacturer, New Horizon Cuisine produces premium meat and vegetable extracts for the U.S. food industry at their USDA/FDA registered facility. The company plans to construct a new 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Ankeny, where they currently have a smaller space and need additional room to grow. The project represents a capital investment of $14.5 million and was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 11 jobs, of which three are incented at a qualifying wage of $35.71 per hour.

LMT Defense to increase production in Eldridge

Lewis Machine & Tool Co, dba LMT Defense, manufactures defense products for the U.S. Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies worldwide. The company plans to expand to a second location in Eldridge for plating and coating operations. The 7,500-square-foot adjacent warehouse space will establish a zero emissions operation with modern equipment. The expansion will increase production and extend their products from smaller items, like rifles, to cannon-sized barrels. The project was awarded a $300,000 forgivable loan through the HQJ program. It represents a capital investment of nearly $5.5 million and is expected to create 34 jobs incented at a quality wage of $24.97 per hour.

Dexter Laundry to expand headquarters in Fairfield

Founded in 1894, Dexter Laundry manufactures commercial and industrial laundry equipment with a full line of washers, dryers and advanced management systems. The 100% employee-owned company plans to construct a 22,500-square-foot addition to their headquarters in Fairfield for a new paint system to support an increase in output. The project is expected to retain six jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $25.25 per hour. It represents a capital investment of nearly $9 million and was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.

P&G to add production line in Iowa City

Procter and Gamble is a multinational company offering a broad range of packaged goods for consumers like personal care, household and health products. The company plans to add a new production line to their Iowa City facility. The expansion will include the construction of a 150,000-square-foot building and purchase of new equipment. The project will create 100 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $31.85 per hour. The $150 million capital investment was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.

Weiler to expand Knoxville operations

Weiler is a family-owned business that manufactures equipment for the asphalt paving market, including pavers, compactors and soil stabilizers. The company plans to construct a new 69,000-square-foot manufacturing facility as they continue to experience growth. The project was awarded $250,000 in direct financial assistance and tax benefits through the HQJ program. It represents a $12.3 million capital investment and is expected to create 54 jobs, of which 49 are incented at a qualifying wage of $27.06 per hour.

Awards made to three startups

Building on 40 years of neuroscience research, Coralville’s NeuroPed, Inc. developed their initial product for post-stroke management and diagnosis support. Their technology platform, a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) that is integrated with electronic health records, will help predict cognitive and behavioral outcomes from localized brain damage, enabling clinicians to design targeted rehabilitation plans and make evidence-based decisions. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, key personnel, proof of concept work, product refinement and market planning and entry activities.

Harvest Increase Agriculture, Inc., headquartered in Iowa City, created a fertilizer additive, SUPRGrow, that boosts corn and soybean yields. The sulfide-based seed treatment offers a cost-effective solution to enhance plant growth. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for proof of concept work, key personnel and market planning and entry activities.

Waukee-based medtech company Pathware, Inc. is developing an AI-driven computational microscopy platform that aims to improve lung cancer biopsy procedures by providing rapid sample feedback to clinicians at the point of care. After submitting and earning clearance by the FDA, Pathware intends to expand the technology to include lymph node, thyroid, breast, prostate, GI and additional tissue indications. The company was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan to build space for production and clinical testing.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

Destination Iowa grants awarded to three projects

The City of Bondurant plans to establish the Silo Commons, a unique outdoor performance and community venue. The development will include a permanent amphitheater affixed to the silo, a 110-foot-tall rock-climbing course on the silo, an event lawn that can accommodate up to 850 people, an interactive bouldering feature, plaza space, mural and light displays and a direct connection to the Chichaqua Valley Trail system. The venue is expected to generate up to 30,000 visits annually through programmed events alone. The $3 million project was awarded a $749,000 grant.

The Southwest Iowa Nature Trails Project, Inc. and City of Shenandoah plans to build the Wabash Trace Rapp Park Connector Trail, linking the 63-mile-long Wabash Trace Nature Trail to the outdoor recreation opportunities in southwest Iowa. The different components aim to upgrade and create safer off-road connections to different sporting activities, local shops and the 200-acre Rapp Park. It is estimated that the trail will draw 75,000 annual visitors. The $2.5 million project was awarded a $600,000 grant.

The City of West Des Moines plans to construct an events center at the community’s RecPlex, a successful indoor sports complex. The new 100,000-square-foot enclosed facility will include sufficient spectator seating for large-scale events and allow for the conversion of ice arenas into multipurpose configurations. It will attract visitors from across the country year-round, with direct annual spending estimated at $6.8 million. The $40 million project was awarded a $5 million grant.

The Destination Iowa program invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life and attract visitors and new residents. It helps Iowa communities make strategic investments to create and support infrastructure projects for lasting tourism opportunities. Award recommendations for these funds are made by an internal and external review committee and presented to the IEDA Board for approval.

CAT grants awarded to three projects

The City of Lenox was awarded $162,000 to renovate the public swimming pool complex, including the shallow pool area, spray features, climbing wall and basketball hoops. The total project cost is $541,000.

The Des Moines Area Community College Foundation was awarded $580,000 to construct a multi-use pavilion at their Newton Campus Legacy Plaza that can host concerts, farmers’ markets, cultural festivals and ice skating in the winter. The large, covered structure will also include a signature public art installation. The total project cost is nearly $3 million.

The Louisa County Fair Association was awarded $364,000 to build a multipurpose barn at the fairgrounds in Columbus Junction to show all swine, beef, goat and sheep at the fair. The space is designed to host large gatherings, accommodating over 3,000 people. The total project cost is over $1.2 million.
The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

SSBCI funding awarded to Iowa City startup this month

Iowa City’s Inseer, Inc. leverages a proprietary AI computer vision system to enhance workplace safety, improve ergonomics and boost productivity in manufacturing environments. Through a short video that captures and analyzes movement data, employees can quickly receive risk assessment solutions and objectively offer any safety corrections. The company was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan for key personnel.

Award recommendations for the SSBCI Innovation Fund assistance are made by the SSBCI Review Committee to the IEDA director for approval. The committee met on September 16, 2025, to review eligible applications.

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Download a spreadsheet with today's HQJ awards.