News

Zero Zone Announces its Intent to Expand to Dyersville

Friday, September 10, 2021

Since 1961, when it first began operations in a dairy barn in a small town outside Milwaukee, Zero Zone, Inc. has earned the reputation of producing top-of-the-line commercial refrigeration units at competitive prices. Now—60 years later and over 500 employees strong—the company announces plans to expand its operations to Dyersville, Iowa, conditional upon local and state approvals. “Our values are those of the American Midwest,” says Rick Steer, Vice President & General Manager of the Zero Zone Systems Division, based in Ramsey, Minnesota. “Our corporate ownership is Milwaukee based, and operates multiple facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our mission is t...

Greater Dubuque Development Receives Recognition from Regional Economic Development Council

Monday, May 17, 2021

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, Greater Dubuque Development received two awards from the Mid-America Economic Development Council as part of their virtual Best Practices Conference. We were selected as winners in two categories: Workforce Development and Economic Impact Deal of the Year. The Workforce Development award is in recognition of our College Recruitment Strategy. Starting in 2019, we developed resources and a year-long schedule of events to connect area employers with college students. This includes the Student Employer Connection Guide, Summer Career Services Visit, Talent Dubuque program, and the AccessDubuqueJobs.com College Career and Professional Development Fair. The Economic Impact Deal of the Year recognize...

Greater Dubuque Development Receives Award for Business Retention and Expansion Efforts

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

On March 18, 2021, the Professional Developers of Iowa recognized Greater Dubuque Development for their Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) effort with area College Outreach and Recruitment at the virtual Best of BRE in Iowa Awards. Greater Dubuque Development has a comprehensive BRE program, highlighting a 12-month College Outreach initiative with the purpose of connecting employers with a pipeline of skilled talent now and into the future. As a result of their efforts, this program has created thousands of student-employer interactions through job fairs, an intern engagement program, Employer Connection Guides and more. The PDI Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Award...

Simmons Pet Foods Moves Forward With Project in Dubuque

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Simmons Foods is moving forward with plans to develop the former Flexsteel facility at 501 Seippel Road for a new pet food manufacturing operation in the Dubuque Industrial Center South. Simmons is the sixth-largest pet food manufacturer in the United States, producing both dry and wet food products. The project includes plans to hire 138 workers in the first phase and a total 271 new employees over the next three years with an average starting wage of $22.18. The project has qualified and approved for both state and local incentives. In reviewing the project, consideration was given to the potential for strong odors. Greate...

Broadband Expansion Initiative Receives Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award

Friday, October 23, 2020

On October 15, 2020, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) awarded the Broadband Expansion initiative with the Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award. The program was recognized in the category of Resiliency, Recovery, and Mitigation—submissions had to represent a successful recovery from a natural or man-made disaster and/or represent replicable measures undertaken to promote long-term resiliency in the event of future disaster. Starting in 2016, Dave Lyons, Sustainable Innovations Consultant for Greater Dubuque Development, worked with the City of Dubuque to build new partnerships in public and private sectors to expand the broadband network and increase providers. Part of the strateg...

Greater Dubuque Receives BEST of Iowa Excellence Award

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

On January 10th, 2020, Business Expansion and Strategic Trends (BEST) released their annual report and BEST of Iowa Excellence Awards. BEST is a collaboration of local economic development groups, Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy, the Iowa Area Development Group, MidAmerican Energy, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The collaborative focuses on strengthening policies and programs that support Iowa businesses and communities. The annual report is a compilation and analysis of Synchronist business interviews conducted throughout the year. In 2019, 800 interviews were conducted across 66 counties in Iowa. Greater Dubuque Development received a BEST of Iowa Excellence Award for goin...

Two Leading Dubuque Employers Announce Plans to Jointly Purchase the Roshek Building

Monday, December 16, 2019

On November 29th, 2019, Cottingham & Butler and Heartland Financial USA announced plans to purchase the Roshek Building at 700 Locust Street in downtown Dubuque. The two companies have formed a partnership, Roshek Property LLC, in order to make the purchase from Dubuque Initiatives. Together, they have plans to invest an additional $2.85 million to improve the building for their respective operations. They have collectively committed to creating at least 32 new full-time jobs through the project. Cottingham & Butler is the 25th largest insurance broker in the country, employing more than 700 individuals in Dubuque. They currently have offices acros...

Workforce Solutions Team Receives Regional Recognition

Monday, December 16, 2019

In early December, Greater Dubuque Development received recognition from two separate regional organizations for our Workforce Solutions team. The Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) selected our Career Services Visit initiative as the winner of the “Best in the Midwest” in the Workforce Development category at the 2019 Economic Development Awards ceremony held December 9th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. This prestigious award considered programs in 12 states in communities with populations over 50,000. Kristin Dietzel, Vice President of Workforce Solutions, accepted the award on behalf of Greater Dubuque Development. The awards are part of the annual Mid-America Competitivenes...

Greater Dubuque Area Receives National Recognition for Corporate Facility Investments

Friday, March 15, 2019

On March 4, 2019, Greater Dubuque Development and the Greater Dubuque area were recognized again by Site Selection Magazine with the Big Muddy Cup. The award is given to the leading metro area along the entire Mississippi River in per-capita corporate facility investments. Greater Dubuque Development was involved with 12 projects that qualified for the award, including the relocation of Flexsteel Industries’ manufacturing facility to the Dubuque Industrial Center South, Medline Industries’ relocation within the Dubuque Industrial Center West, and the Camso expansion in Peosta. The projects’ value per capita in the Greater Dubuque area exceeded those of metros includin...

Greater Dubuque Development Communications Receive International Recognition

Monday, October 15, 2018

The Greater Dubuque Development Corporation received both Gold and Silver Excellence in Economic Development Awards for the 2016-2017 Annual Report and "You Can Make It In Greater Dubuque" promotional piece, respectively. The awards were presented by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) at a ceremony on Tuesday, October 2 during the IEDC Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Congratulations to Emily Graves, Director of Communications, for her internationally recognized work.

Alliant Energy Solar Project Receives Top Honor from Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure

Thursday, April 19, 2018

On April 19, 2018, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) annouced Alliant Energy’s Dubuque Solar Project earned the Envision Platinum rating for sustainable infrastructure. The award is the highest honor given by the organization. This is the first solar project to receive recognition of this level and the second project in Iowa to receive the Envision Platinum rating. The project encompasses two solar fields in our community—a 5.9-acre brownfield site on 12th Street downtown and a 21.1-acre site in the Dubuque Industrial Center West, the largest solar garden in the state of Iowa. The annual output of the solar gardens i...

Opportunity Dubuque Takes Top Honors at Mid-America Economic Development Council Conference

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Opportunity Dubuque Takes Top Honors at Mid-America Economic Development Council Conference Dubuque, Iowa, December 6, 2017 - The Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) selected Opportunity Dubuque as the winner for the Workforce Development category at the 2017 Economic Development awards held December 4, 2017 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Kristin Dietzel, Vice President of Workforce Solutions, accepted the awards on behalf of Greater Dubuque Development and Northeast Iowa Community College. The awards are part of the annual Mid-America Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum held by MAEDC. Opportunity Dubuque is an employer-driven job training model developed in response to local employers&rsquo...

Flexsteel Breaks Ground on Dubuque Manufacturing Facility

Monday, October 02, 2017

Flexsteel Industries, Inc., along with the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (GDDC), held a ground breaking ceremony for Flexsteel’s Dubuque manufacturing facility on October 2 at 10:00 a.m. at 501 Seippel Road. In May 2017, Flexsteel announced plans to build a $25 million facility on 22 acres of land in Dubuque Industrial Center South. This retains more than 200 jobs in the city, including those in product design and development, industrial engineering, office, management, trucking, and various manufacturing roles. Flexsteel expects to complete construction in late 2018, at which time operations will transition to Seippel Road. Speakers included Karel Czanderna, President and CEO o...

Greater Dubuque Development Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

The Greater Dubuque Development Corporation received a Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Greater Dubuque 2022 Campaign Prospectus Brochure project, in the category of Special Purpose Print Brochure from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 19, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held Sept. 17 - 20, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Another Major Expansion for Camso: $6.3 Million Investment and 40 New Jobs

Sunday, May 14, 2017

For the second time in five years, Greater Dubuque Development had the privilege to work with Camso Manufacturing USA on a major expansion. Camso plans to relocate to a new building within Peosta, Iowa and purchase machinery and equipment. The company estimates a $6.3 million investment in the project and plans to add 40 jobs. Camso is the world leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of off-road tires, wheels, rubber tracks, and undercarriage systems to serve the material-handling, construction, agricultural, and power-sports industries.

Greater Dubuque Takes Top Honors at MAEDC Conference

Monday, December 12, 2016

The Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) presented Greater Dubuque Development Corporation with four honors at the 2016 Economic Development awards held December 5, 2016 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Dan McDonald, Vice President of Existing Business, accepted the awards on behalf of Greater Dubuque Development. The ceremony was part of the annual Mid-America Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum held by MAEDC. Greater Dubuque Development Corporation took First Place in the following categories: Annual Report for the 2015-2016 Report Business Retention & Expansion for the InfoAction Program Workforce Development for the HR Action Program Greater Dubuque Development was also awarded the 2016 Dea...

Greater Dubuque Development Claims Three Awards at International Economic Development Council Annual Meeting

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The spotlight was on Dubuque at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Meeting on September 27, 2016.Mayor Roy D. Buol, Dr. Liang Chee Wee, and Greater Dubuque Development Corporation all received recognition from the international organization of economic developers. Mayor Buol received the Leadership Award for Public Service, an honor recognizing an elected official who, for at least ten years, has been a committed advocate for economic development in the public sector. For over twenty years, Mayor Buol has worked diligently as a public servant, an advocate for Dubuque citizens, and a supporter of workforce development initiatives. Dr. Liang Chee Wee...

CS Technologies to install fiber-optic line in Dubuque

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

CS Technologies will construct a 15.7 mile fiberoptic network this fall that extends from downtown Dubuque toward the city’s West End. The project is made possible by a partnership between the City of Dubuque and CS Technologies. The company will pull fiber through nearly 59,000 feet of city-owned conduit. CS Technologies also will construct approximately 23,500 feet of new conduit to complete the nearly 16 miles of new fiber. The project will provide enhanced services to employers in the Greater Dubuque area who are looking for expanded capacity, better speeds, lower costs, and improved reliability and redundancy.

BioResource Development makes a multimillion-dollar investment in Dubuque

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

BioResource Development will begin construction this fall on a multimillion-dollar biomethane system within the City of Dubuque’s Water and Resource Recover Center. The system will allow the city to utilize its biogas more efficiently and generate revenue in the process through a partnership between the City of Dubuque, BioResource Development and Black Hills Energy.

Dubuque, Iowa Highlighted in “Growing Jobs” book

Monday, August 01, 2016

Dubuque’s economic turnaround and job growth were prominently featured in the book “Growing Jobs” by Thomas Tuttle. The book promotes collaboration and community engagement as key aspects of economic development and prominently features Dubuque and Austin, Texas.

Alliant Energy Makes Solar Investment in Dubuque

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Locally produced, clean energy creates significant economic and environmental opportunities for Dubuque, and an innovative collaboration between Alliant Energy, A.Y McDonald Mfg. Co. and the City of Dubuque is helping the Greater Dubuque area seize those opportunities. These partners will develop the largest community solar project in Iowa, partnering on a two-site solar array. The sites include the former A.Y. McDonald Foundry at 12th Street and a green-field site near the Dubuque Industrial Center West. Both sites will bring under-utilized property into production and are located near existing Alliant Energy distribution infrastructure.

Rite-Hite Announces Expansion

Monday, May 02, 2016

Rite-Hite announced plans to expand their current production facility in the Dubuque Industrial Center. The $8.9 million project will add 138,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with 24 new employees.

Cottingham & Butler Adds Jobs and Investment in Dubuque

Friday, April 22, 2016

Cottingham & Butler announced plans to add 90 new positions to their local workforce over the next three years and invest $2.4 million to expand their operations into the Roshek Building in downtown Dubuque. Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority approved state assistance for the company’s expansion. “We have a super team that is doing an incredibly good job,” David Becker, CEO of Cottingham & Butler, said. “Because of that, we’ve been having a chance to work with additional companies across the country, and it takes additional employees to do that.” This project is the company’s second expansion in Dubuque within the last 15 months. With thi...

Major Expansion for Roasting Solutions/Verena Street Coffee

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Roasting Solutions d/b/a Verena Street Coffee Announces Major Expansion

Friday, January 01, 2016

Roasting Solutions, LLC (dba Verena Street Coffee) is a local company that has seen tremendous growth since opening its current coffee roasting facility five years ago. Led by the 4th generation of the Gantz family, Eric and Michael Gantz, the company’s popular coffee brands are sold in 700+ grocery stores – A number that grows every day. The company plans to invest approximately $7 Million on state-of-the art production equipment, land, and to construct a new national headquarter location and manufacturing facility in the Dubuque Industrial Center South.The project will create at least 10 new jobs. Greater Dubuque Development has worked with the company on th...

Truck Country Opens New Facility in Dubuque

Sunday, March 01, 2015

Truck Country opened a new 52,000 square foot dealership in Dubuque. The new facility is nearly double the size of the former location and features 21 service bays, a new alignment rack, detail bay, a flywheel resurfacing area, and an enhanced parts show room.

RIE Coatings Selects Dubuque as Location for Expansion

Sunday, February 15, 2015

RIE Coatings is announcing plans to open a new production facility in Dubuque with production slated to begin July 1, 2016. The company will hire 12-15 employees initially and occupy approximately 25,000 square feet of space at 5301 Chavenelle Road, Dubuque, Iowa. RIE Coatings provides specialty high performance coatings to companies within a variety of sectors including technology, agricultural, construction, aerospace, electronics, energy, industrial, automotive, marine, fastener, and military industries. At their Dubuque facility, the company will be supplying coatings to customers throughout Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. “We are excited to have Dubuque as our new production facility. As our second satellite location, Dubuque fully supports our overal...

Flexsteel Announces Expansion and Relocation Plans in Dubuque

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Flexsteel Industries announced plans to relocate their manufacturing operations to a new site in the Dubuque Industrial Center South. The company will invest over $28 Million to construct and equip a new state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot facility. The current manufacturing plant is located at 3400 Jackson Street. This announcement comes as a welcome development after months of collaboration by private and public entities. The hard work and partnership of Flexsteel management and employees, United Steelworkers Local 1861, Teamsters Local 120, Operating Engineers Local 234, the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, Dubuque Initiatives, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority once again demonstrates the powe...

A "Win-Win" for Accelerated Broadband Expansion in Dubuque

Monday, December 21, 2015

On December 21st, the Dubuque City Council approved a first-of-its-kind proposal for accelerating broadband (high-speed Internet transmission) capacity in Dubuque. It follows a new collaborative model, which Greater Dubuque Development, led by Dave Lyons, Director of Sustainable Innovation, helped design and create, where the public and private sectors work together to share infrastructure and reduce costs for all parties. The project enables Wisconsin Independent Networks (WIN) to expand broadband capacity and access in the Greater Dubuque area. “Constructing fiber networks is very expensive, especially in urban areas, even more so in rocky terrain like Dubuque,” said WIN CEO Scott Hoffman. “Through this partnership ... both th...