Archived Economic Development E-Newsletters

E-Newsletter

The Department of Economic Development provides an e-newsletter to share information and opportunities with the business community. Stay up to date with Urbandale Economic Development by signing up. Access archived editions of the e-newsletter.

Economic Development Newsletter February 2023 (PDF)

• Aaron DeJong Promoted to Director of Economic Development; Curtis Brown transitions full-time to City Manager's Office
• Applications Now Open for Summer Internship Funding
• New Downtown Urbandale Assistance Available
• Grant Funds Available to Support Commercial Stormwater Improvements

Economic Development Newsletter May 2022 (PDF)

• Comprehensive Plan will Shape Urbandale: Share your Ideas
• Worldwide Logistics breaks ground on new Urbandale Headquarters
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program applications due June 1, 2022
• Urban Loop 5-year Anniversary Video Series 

Economic Development Newsletter April 2022 (PDF)

• Worldwide Logistics to begin construction of new Urbandale Headquarters in the Urban Loop 
• R&R Realty to build 212,500 sf Industrial building at 100th Street and Northpark 
• New Comprehensive Plan Development Process to Begin in April

Economic Development Newsletter January 2022 (PDF)

• City Council Creates New TIF District for Merle Hay District Revitalization 
• Record Breaking Year for Urbandale Building Permits 
• Urban Loop Named one of 2021 Top Ten Bridges in US 
• Urban Loop Development Projects Map Updated and Now Interactive 
• Change in Weight Ordinance Adjusts Local Truck Routes

Economic Development Newsletter October 2021 (PDF)

• Urbandale Ranked One of the Best Places to Live for Second Year in a Row 
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program seeking applications 
• Iowa Bankers Association opens new headquarters in Urbandale 
• Urbandale and Grimes Approve New Annexation Boundary 
• State Offers a New Business Designation to Attract and Retain Talent

Economic Development Newsletter August 2021 (PDF)

• New Site Preparation Assistance Polity for Transitioning Properties
• Railroad Repair on 100th Street to begin Monday, August 9
• Merle Hay / Buccaneer Arena Revitalization gaining Momentum
• Recently Approved Projects in Urbandale

Economic Development Newsletter May 2021 (PDF)

• Merle Hay Mall and Des Moines Buccaneers Project Presented to IEDA Board
• Douglas Avenue Road Improvements Underway
• Urbandale Maintains Strong Bond Rating from Moody's

Economic Development Newsletter March 2021 (PDF)

• Pandemic Impact Survey for Iowa Businesses and Nonprofits
• 2021 Road Construction Projects to Begin
• Merle Hay Campus Revitalization Project Submitted for Iowa Reinvestment Act
• Iowa Student Internship Program

Economic Development Newsletter December 2020 (PDF)

• Des Moines Buccaneers plan new arena at Merle Hay Mall
• Mayor's State of the City address video available
• DART proposing changes to service in northwest Urbandale
• Updated workforce information available

Economic Development Newsletter October 2020 (PDF)

• Meredith Drive half-diamond interchange and Iowa 141 flyover in the Urban Loop are open

Economic Development Newsletter September 2020 (PDF)

• Money Magazine rates Urbandale as a Best Place to Live for 2020
• Urbandale Video produced in Partnership with Iowa Economic Development Authority
• United Way 21-Day Equity Challenge
• Urban Loop Project Updates and Resources
• 104th Street Opening This Week

Economic Development Newsletter August 2020 (PDF)

• Interstate Improvement in the Urban Loop Nearing Completion
• New Fiber Optic Network Coming to Urbandale
• Blueprint Magazine Article Featuring Urbandale
• New Developments in Town to Know About
• 104th Street Reconstruction Nearing Completion

Economic Development Newsletter June 2020 (PDF)

• 38 Urbandale Businesses receive financial assistance through the Small Business Recovery Grant Program
• Updated Class A Office Incentive Guidelines
• Iowa Banker's Association to Build New Headquarters on Northpark Drive
• Major Progress on US 141 Flyover and Meredith Interchanges on I-35/80
• Building Activity Still Strong in Urbandale

Economic Development Newsletter April 2020 (PDF)

• A Message from the Mayor to the Urbandale Business Community about Coronavirus
• Opportunity to Support Urbandale Neighbors Impacted by Coronavirus through Endow Urbandale
• Urban Loop Projects Update: Four New Investments Approved by City Council
• Douglas Avenue Corridor Benefits from Public and Private Projects
• Urbandale Approves Reduced Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Economic Development Newsletter December 2019 (PDF)

• Growth in the Urban Loop
• City Council Approves Merle Hay Apartments Project; Another Step toward Housing Affordability in Urbandale
• Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Citizen and Business of the Year

Economic Development Newsletter July 2019 (PDF)

• City of Urbandale Polk County Voters to Consider Local Option Sales Tax on August 6
• Assistant Director Aaron DeJong Joins City of Urbandale Economic Development Department

Economic Development Newsletter June 2019 (PDF)

• Perspectives on Future Urban Loop Development Areas Ready to be Shared
• Construction Updates: Urban Loop 86th Street and Meredith Drive Interchanges and Iowa 141 Flyover

Economic Development Newsletter February 2019 (PDF)

• City Council Takes Action to Encourage Investment and Employment with Incentive Extension
• Urban Loop Updates: 100th Street Construction Video, New Projects and Construction Timelines Map!  

Economic Development Newsletter December 2018 (PDF)

• Technology Association of Iowa Honors Catalysts in Iowa Tech Scene
• Urbandale’s Courage League Sports Founder and President Receives ESPNW Award, All-Inclusive Playground Update

Economic Development Newsletter September 2018 (PDF)

• Urban Loop Update: Momentum Continues to Grow!
• Urbandale’s New Fire Station Improves Fire Protection Coverage; ISO Rating Improves
• City Staff to Visit Columbus, Ohio Metro for Development Strategy Exchange

Economic Development Newsletter July 2018 (PDF)

• Source Allies Invests and Expands, Creates 36 new Jobs 
• Crescent Electric Supply Company Breaks Ground on New Urbandale Facility
• City Council Awards Contract to Confluence for Community Entrance Signage Master Plan

Economic Development Newsletter May 2018 (PDF)

• Traffic Volume Growing in Urbandale
• New Investments Meeting Residential Growth

Economic Development Newsletter December 2017 (PDF)

• City Council Approves Agreement with Deere & Company for Office Building Project
• Paradigm Building the First Major Investment Announced in the Urban Loop
• Third Fire Station Approved by Voters, to Open Summer 2019
• Internship Funding Available through the Iowa Economic Development Authority

Economic Development Newsletter October 2017 (PDF)

• Urbandale Unveils New Interstate Corridor Brand
• Urbandale Fire Department Supports Business Investment with Customer Service and Efficiency
• Urbandale Mayor and City Council Recognize Contributions of Manufacturers

Economic Development Newsletter July 2017 (PDF)

• 100th Street Interchange Update: Access Abundant Development Opportunities
• Mobile Food Vendor Pilot Program Approved
• Engage in Urbandale! Volunteer and Giving Opportunities Defined

Economic Development Newsletter March 2017 (PFD)

• City Council Awards Contract for 100th Street Interchange Ramp Grading Work
• Energy Control Technologies Investing in Space; Growing Employment 
• MPO Purchases Freight Container Data; Pilot Website to Launch Soon

Economic Development Newsletter January 2017 (PDF)

• Last Approval Complete for Interchange at Meredith Drive and Iowa 141 Flyover Ramp 
• City and Chamber to Support Urbandale Entrepreneurs in UI’s Venture School Program
• City Council Approves $209 Million Five-Year Capital Improvements Program

Economic Development Newsletter December 2016 (PDF)

• New Resource Available for Recruiting Talent to Urbandale
• City Council Approves Expansion of Downtown Urbandale TIF District

Economic Development Newsletter October 2016 (PDF)

• Iowa Workforce Development Completes Study of Urbandale Workforce
• New Members Appointed to the Economic Development Advisory Board

Economic Development Newsletter September 2016 (PDF)

• Interchange Justification Report Approved – Full Diamond Interchange at 100th Street Moving Forward

Economic Development Newsletter July 2016 (PDF)

• Urbandale Adopts Complete Streets Policy
• Unique Urbandale Arboretum Opens to the Public

Economic Development Newsletter April 2016 (PDF)

• Hy-Vee, Inc. Purchases Former K’s Merchandise Building, Plans for Hy-Vee Training and Fulfillment Center
• Urbandale’s FarmHer to Showcase Women in Agriculture on TV Show this fall
• Parks & Rec Offers Opportunities to Enjoy the Outdoors, Engage with Community

Economic Development Newsletter March 2016 (PDF)

• 100th Street Construction Underway 
• City and Chamber Support Urbandale Entrepreneurship with UI Venture School Scholarship

Economic Development Newsletter January 2016 (PDF)

• Consider Becoming a Home Base Iowa Business and Support Urbandale’s Effort to Welcome Veterans
• New Year, New Tools for Using DART’s Service in Urbandale

Economic Development Newsletter December 2015 (PDF)

• Urbandale Develops Partnership with University of Iowa to Support Entrepreneurship
• Delta Dental of Iowa Recognized as Economic Impact Award Winner by Greater Des Moines Partnership
• Fastpath, Inc. Expanding Space and Employment

Economic Development Newsletter October 2015 (PDF)

• Internship Funding Available through the Iowa Economic Development Authority

Economic Development Newsletter August 2015 (PDF)

• ProbioFerm, LLC Expands with New Facility
• Congratulations to Two Urbandale Companies on Recognition for Outstanding Growth
• Access Revolving Loan Fund for Business Success

Economic Development Newsletter July 2015 (PDF)

• Homemakers Furniture Adding New 120,000 Square Foot Facility
• Innovation in Urbandale: Our First Soofa

Economic Development Newsletter May 2015 (PDF)

• Mercer to Expand Urbandale Workforce by 300+ Jobs

Economic Development Newsletter April 2015 (PDF)

• City and Chamber Partner with SBDC to Serve Businesses in Urbandale
• Access Info about Incentives and Development in Urbandale at April 30 Event
• Uniquely Urbandale: Giovannetti Community Shelter Serves a Dual Purpose

Economic Development Newsletter March 2015 (PDF)

• City Council Approves Douglas Avenue Urbanization Project; Area Eligible for New Incentive
• Invest in Happiness: Urbandale in the Rankings

Economic Development Newsletter January 2015 (PDF)

• City Council Focused on Economic Development, Approves New Financial Incentives
• Governor Presents Certified Connected Community Designation to Urbandale
• Uniquely Urbandale: Built Environment Excels

Economic Development Newsletter November 2014 (PDF)

• High Performing Urbandale Businesses Recognized with Awards

Economic Development Newsletter October 2014 (PDF)

• Advisory Board Members Bring their Expertise to Urbandale Economic Development Effort

Economic Development Newsletter August 2014 (PDF)

• Analysis Shows Urbandale has Lowest Tax Rate among Metro Cities
• Urbandale Enhances Value Proposition for Talented Workforce through Unique Collaboration
• Urbandale Population Continues Steady Growth