Supporting 281 New Jobs and Community Quality-of-Life Projects
DES MOINES, Iowa (December 19, 2025) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board today approved a series of awards supporting business expansions, community quality-of-life initiatives and entrepreneurial services across the state. Collectively, the approved projects are expected to create 281 new jobs and generate approximately $135 million in new capital investment in Iowa.
The business investments are located in Coralville, Davenport and Sioux City, while Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) program awards will support projects in Lake Park, Maquoketa, Pella and West Des Moines. The board also approved grants through the Entrepreneurial Investment Award (EIA) program to strengthen startup services statewide.
Manufacturing and Industrial Projects Drive Job Creation
Morrison Weighing Systems to Relocate Operations to Coralville
Family-owned Morrison Weighing Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of high-speed weighing and labeling systems, will relocate operations from Illinois to Coralville. The company designs in-motion weighing scales and data collection software used by food processing and manufacturing businesses across North America.
Morrison plans to purchase and expand an existing facility in the University of Iowa Research Park, representing a nearly $1.5 million capital investment. The project is expected to create 11 new jobs, including five incented positionswith a qualifying wage of $33.05 per hour. The IEDA Board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.
Electro Freeze to Relocate and Expand in Davenport
H.C. Duke & Son, dba Electro Freeze, a global manufacturer of foodservice equipment, plans to relocate operations from Illinois to Davenport. The company will lease a 300,000-square-foot vacant industrial building as part of the project.
The $7 million investment is expected to create 200 new jobs, with 70 incented positions earning a qualifying wage of $31.16 per hour. The project was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.
Sioux Honey Expands Production in Sioux City
Sioux Honey Association, the world’s largest beekeeper cooperative, will expand production capacity in Sioux City with the purchase and expansion of a local facility. The cooperative produces more than 40 million pounds of honey annually, including its nationally recognized Sue Bee and Aunt Sue’s brands, which are certified to contain at least 95% U.S.-grown ingredients.
The project represents a $130 million capital investment and is expected to create and retain 70 jobs, including 33 incented positions with a qualifying wage of $29.47 per hour. The board awarded the company a $2 million forgivable loan and tax benefits through the HQJ program.
Community Attraction and Tourism Grants Enhance Quality of Life
The IEDA Board awarded Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to four projects that will strengthen recreational, cultural and educational amenities across Iowa:
-
City of Lake Park — $900,000 to renovate Silver Lake City Park, including new playground equipment, a paved loop trail with lake seating, upgraded shelter facilities, new sporting areas and wayfinding signage.
Total project cost: $3,054,137 -
City of Maquoketa — $628,000 to construct a new splash pad in partnership with the local YMCA, enhancing recreation options near cultural attractions and a state park.
Total project cost: $2,863,990 -
City of Pella — $500,000 to renovate the historic Pella Community Center, originally built in 1916, improving infrastructure, accessibility and multipurpose programming space.
Total project cost: $8,087,500 -
Des Moines Children’s Museum — $787,000 to relocate and expand the museum from Valley West Mall to a larger facility in West Des Moines, supporting additional exhibits and family programming.
Total project cost: $3,939,179
The CAT program supports projects that enhance Iowa’s quality of life by funding recreational, cultural, educational and entertainment facilities. Award recommendations are made by the CAT Review Committee and approved by the IEDA Board.
Startup and Entrepreneurial Support Expanded Statewide
Three organizations received Entrepreneurial Investment Award (EIA) grants to strengthen Iowa’s startup ecosystem:
-
New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) — Cedar Rapids
Awarded $200,000 over two years to support development of the Iowa Aviation Technology Center, advancing statewide efforts to build aviation technology talent and startups. -
The Iowa Center — Des Moines
Awarded $150,000 over two years to expand business coaching services in rural and micropolitan communities, helping entrepreneurs overcome access and resource barriers. -
Pathfinders RC&D, Inc. — Fairfield
Awarded $200,000 over two years to create scalable systems that improve capital readiness, referrals and business planning support for rural entrepreneurs.
The EIA program provides competitive grants to Iowa-based organizations that directly support entrepreneurs and early-stage startups in creating, locating or expanding businesses in the state. Award recommendations are made by the EIA Review Committee and approved by the IEDA Board.
