At least $107 billion worth of homes across the U.S. have two things in common: The properties are at high risk of flooding in the next 30 years, and they sit in neighborhoods permanently affected by the racist 1930s-era practice known as redlining, a new analysis by Redfin and the First Street Foundation reported this month. Although […]

Fourteen broadband providers received $15,542,302 in Empower Rural Iowa broadband grants from the state of Iowa this week, the office of Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Monday. The funding is the remainder of the $50 million in CARES funding designated for broadband grants from a previous round, and cover 21 counties and more than 2,800 homes, […]

Each year the Business Record gets the pulse on key issues affecting the region’s business community from our audience. Our annual survey asks business leaders to share what they feel are some of the top issues affecting business in Central Iowa, and in particular the Greater Des Moines region.  Below, we’ve published a glimpse of what […]

Johnston city leaders approved plans by telecommunication company MetroNet to begin construction on a network for high-speed fiber optic internet, TV and phone service through the city, Johnston announced this week. MetroNet, based in Indiana, provides fiber-optic connections to homes and businesses with speeds ranging from 100 megabits to 1 gigabit per second. Construction will […]

A program to help small businesses keep their utilities on is being expanded to help more businesses avoid having their gas or electric service disconnected. The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced Friday that eligibility requirements for the Iowa Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program has been expanded to include utility assistance for eligible small businesses […]

A research project led by Iowa State University into broadband delivery for rural communities is one of two finalists for a national grant by the Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and 35 wireless companies and associations.  A team of 10 core project researchers led by ISU professor […]

Myriad Advisor Solutions announced this week that it has begun laying fiber optic cable to power cutting-edge technology with the vision of creating a sustainable Smart Campus for businesses in the Quarter district, located at Ashworth Road and Grand Prairie Parkway in Waukee. Technology that will be available in buildings in the Smart Campus includes […]

By Kathy Bolten | Business Record senior reporter High-speed internet access will be provided to every West Des Moines residence and business through an ambitious plan unveiled last week by city officials and Google Fiber, a provider of fiber-optic broadband internet service. Under a development agreement approved this week by the City Council, West Des […]

An electric scooter rental program that’s popular but also potentially a dangerous nuisance will return to Cedar Rapids and expand, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports. The scooters and bikes — introduced last year and stationed on public walkways — are slated to return this spring, city officials said Tuesday. Last fall, city officials were weighing whether […]