Iowa s average industrial electricity cost per kwh is 24 percent below the U.S. average.

What type of industrial space is 14 % below the U . S . average?
What does Iowa rank in cost of doing business in the US?
How often does the U . S . Wind Industry Annual Market Report report the capacity of refineries in Iowa?

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2 Iowa s business climate has never been more favorable. Iowa has the lowest cost of doing business in the nation, is perfectly positioned with its central location and has a diversified and robust economy. Companies operating in Iowa benefit from a business-friendly state government, business-minded tax incentives and a skilled and productive workforce within a right-to-work state. Read more about the many business advantages companies enjoy in Iowa. Companies doing business in Iowa enjoy one of the nation s most business-friendly economic climates. The proof is in the numbers. Iowa consistently has the lowest cost of doing business in the United States. (America s Top States for Business - CNBC, 2010) Iowa s average industrial electricity cost per kwh is 24 percent below the U.S. average. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2010) Iowa s average lease rates for industrial space are 18 percent below the U.S. average. (NAI Global, 2010) Iowa s construction costs for industrial space are 14 percent below the U.S. average. (RSMeans, 2010) Iowa s workers compensation costs are among the nation s lowest. The average cost of workers compensation insurance for manufacturers in Iowa is 16 percent lower than the national average. Iowa law provides for employer choice of doctor. (Actuarial and Technical Solutions, 2009) Iowa s nine largest communities ranked as Best Places for Business. (Forbes Magazine, 2010)

3 Iowa s central geographic location and abundance of transportation options make the state a quick and easy place for businesses to distribute product. Three interstate highways, I-35, I-80 and I-29 pass through Iowa offering coast-to-coast, border-to-border access in the U.S. transportation grid. The state s network of highways, intercontinental and short line railroad and barge routes combine to provide efficient and cost effective transportation choices. Iowa has nearly 4,000 miles of rail freight track operated by 19 railroad companies four of which are major, national carriers. (Iowa Department of Transportation, 2008) Last year, more than 250 million pounds of cargo were transported through Iowa s airports. (Iowa Department of Transportation, 2010) There are 65 barge terminals that shipped and received tonnage in Iowa 57 on the Mississippi River and eight on the Missouri River. (Iowa Department of Transportation, 2009)

4 Iowa has a diversified economic environment in which to do business. Key industries in the state include: advanced manufacturing; renewable energy and biorenewable chemicals; food processing; and insurance and financial services. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Iowa ranks first in the Midwest in terms of valueadded per manufacturing worker. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2009) Iowa is ranked seventh nationally in terms of the importance of manufacturing to the state s economy. (Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2009) Approximately 4,100 manufacturers employ more than 206,000 Iowans and generate more than $8.7 billion in payroll. Iowa exported $10.8 billion worth of manufactured and value-added goods. (Global Trade Information Service, 2010) Iowa s manufactured exports have grown by more than 29 percent over the last five years. (Global Trade Information Service, 2010) RENEWABLE ENERGY AND BIORENEWABLE CHEMICALS Iowa is one of only two states in the nation to manufacture all of the main components of a wind turbine turbines, blades and towers. Iowa ranks second in the nation in wind generation output. (AWEA, 2010) Home to major manufacturers and 80 industry suppliers, Iowa is the leader for workers employed in manufacturing for the wind industry and second for construction and operations and management. (Environmental Law & Policy Center, 2010 and U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report - AWEA, 2010) Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production 40 ethanol refineries with a combined annual capacity of over 3.6 billion gallons. (Renewable Fuels Association, 2010) With 13 biodiesel plants in operation, Iowa s biodiesel production increased from 50,000 gallons in 1999 to million gallons in (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, 2010) Iowa is leading the way in developing and expanding the market for value-added biomassbased fuels and chemicals with a concentration of raw materials and abundant agricultural resources. According to the USDA, fuels created from biomass will increase to 10 percent by 2020 and to 20 percent by 2030.

5 FOOD PROCESSING Iowa is home to 27 of the largest 100 food manufacturers/processors. (Food Processing Magazine, 2010) INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Iowa s insurance industry output as a percent of gross domestic product ranks second among the 50 states. Iowa is home to the world s largest cereal mill (Quaker Oats) and caramel color plant (Sethness), and is home to North America s largest spice plant (Tone s). The food industry is a major component of Iowa s overall economy contributing almost six billion to the state s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), representing approximately 24 percent of Iowa s manufacturing GDP and employing more than 50,000 Iowans. (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2008) In recent years, Iowa has lowered its insurance premium tax by half to just one percent one of the lowest rates in the nation. Iowa has seen a solid financial services industry expansion. There are 41,100 insurance industry professionals currently employed in Iowa. (Iowa Workforce Development, 2010) 2009 and Iowa Workforce Development, 2010) Iowa creates a natural home to global food processing and ingredient companies as the number one producer in corn, soybeans, eggs and pork. Diamond V has earned a global reputation of trust and reliability within the animal feed industry. One of the newest additions to the industrial corridor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is our $25 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which will enhance our ability to better service customers and keep pace with the growing demand both in the U.S. and around the world. Why Iowa? We ve been able to capitalize on Iowa s superior business climate, central geographic location and excellent transportation infrastructure. Since 1943, we re proud to call Iowa home. John Bloomhall President & CEO, Diamond V

6 CORPORATE INCOME TAX Iowa s corporate income tax policies offer significant advantages for business: Single-factor, non-unitary tax Iowa s tax is based only on the percentage of total sales income within the state. 50 percent deductibility of federal taxes from Iowa corporate income. Iowa corporate income tax may be reduced or eliminated by state tax credit programs. No personal property tax for corporate inventories of goods-in-process, raw materials or salable goods. No property tax on industrial machinery, equipment or computers. No sales or use tax on purchases of industrial machinery, equipment and computers used for manufacturing or to process data by insurance companies, financial institutions or certain commercial enterprises. No sales tax on materials used in the manufacturing process or purchases of electricity or natural gas used directly in the manufacturing process. REFUNDABLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT Iowa is one of only a few states in the United States that has consistently offered a refundable research activities credit even while federal research credits have fluctuated with intermittent expiration dates and reinstatement periods. Iowa s refundable credit for increasing research activities is up to 6.5 percent of the company s qualifying research expenditures in Iowa. Companies approved for expansion in an Enterprise Zone or under the High Quality Jobs program may be eligible for a supplemental tax credit for qualifying research and development activities. WORKFORCE The success of a company depends heavily on the strength of its workforce. Iowa has all of the key elements to provide a smart, productive workforce necessary to foster business growth. The combination of Midwest work ethic and a leading education system results in one of the most productive workforces anywhere. Iowans consistently rank number one in the United States for SAT college entrance exam scores. Iowa is a right-to-work state. Iowans tend to stay in one job an average 12+ years. (Iowa Workforce Development, 2010) Iowa has the 10th highest number of bachelor s degrees in natural science and engineering conferred per 1,000 individuals years old. (National Science Foundation, Science and Engineering Indicators, 2010) Iowa is 10th in the nation in amount of funding per capita for research and development at the academic level. (Development Report Card for the States, 2007)

7 The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) works with businesses and communities to bolster Iowa s economy and position the state for growth. IDED can assist your company by providing the following types of assistance: Direct financial assistance, tax credits and job training funds. Confidential location reviews and site location assistance to businesses considering Iowa. Technical assistance for Iowa businesses considering expansion, new companies to Iowa and foreign direct investment. Free searchable database of information on existing buildings, available sites and Iowa communities. Regulatory process assistance provided to Iowa companies. Training and support available to all companies expanding in Iowa. Iowa works in partnership with public/private service providers and other state agencies to actively promote new employee training, incumbent worker preparation, lifelong learning and development and expansion of the state s labor pool. CONTACT US Please visit for more information on how Iowa can assist you, to learn more about Iowa s business climate, assistance and expansion programs, available buildings, sites and more. Contact us anytime at or (international). All inquiries are handled confidentially. FOLLOW US