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Economic development officials in Ottumwa are dealing with the recent announcement that John Deere will close its factory there and consolidate its operations in Des Moines and Louisiana

Economic development officials in Ottumwa are dealing with the recent announcement that John Deere will close its factory there and consolidate its operations in Des Moines and Louisiana. Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress executive director Marc Roe says within hours of last Tuesday’s announcement, he began collaborating with Iowa Workforce Development and Indian Hills Community College to brainstorm how to retrain and retain those workers. “Ottumwa, any community isn’t about one business. It’s going to change our landscape for sure, but, you know, it doesn’t have to determine the future of the community. That’s up to us to do,” Roe says. John Deere will leave about 400 people out of jobs, in addition to an abandoned industrial complex in the middle of Ottumwa. Roe hopes to attract new manufacturing, retrain local employees through workforce development or the local community college, and find new ways to retain families who are building businesses or going to school in Ottumwa.

Ottumwa, IA · 6h
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AGDAILY.com

partner publisher · 1.8K followers
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John Deere announces plant closures amid hiring plans

John Deere plans to close two Iowa factories as it shifts equipment production to other U.S. facilities and Brazil. The post John Deere announces plant closures amid hiring plans appeared first on AGDAILY .

Clarion, IA · 3d

KCRG.com

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72 years of family-owned quality at Marshall’s Furniture in Washington

Mike Driscoll takes us inside Marshall’s Furniture to share the story behind the 72-year-old, family-owned business and why the trip to Washington, for quality furniture and exceptional customer service, is worth the drive!

Washington, IA · 4d
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ktvo.com

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Proposed $15 billion steel project draws questions from Lee County residents

LEE COUNTY, Iowa. - A proposed $15 billion steel manufacturing complex in Lee County is drawing attention across southeast Iowa, as residents seek answers about its potential impact on the community. Mesabi Metallics says the facility would process iron ore from Minnesota into finished steel products. Company officials say the...

Lee County, IA · 3d
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KWQC

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Proposed $15B steel plant in Lee County draws jobs optimism, environmental concerns

LEE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - Lee County could soon be home to the largest steel plant in the United States, however, the plans are also drawing concerns from those who live near the site. “It is absolutely disgusting to see the greed of local politicians and businesses and their support...

Lee County, IA · 4d

kciiradio.com

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The Bookworm’s Burrow Bookstore Opening this Weekend in Washington

A new bookstore is opening in downtown Washington this weekend. The Bookworm’s Burrow Bookstore will be holding a grand opening celebration on Saturday. The Bookworm’s Burrow is a book and game store that celebrates stories in all forms and they’re officially opening their doors this weekend, inviting the community to stop in, explore, shop, and meet the owner at their grand opening.

Washington, IA · 3d

740thefan.com

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John Deere to close two Iowa manufacturing plants

John Deere plans to close two Iowa manufacturing facilities and shift production elsewhere over the next several years. According to Progressive Farmer, the company will move windrower and round baler production from Ottumwa to Des Moines and transfer Hagie STS sprayer production from Clarion, Iowa, to Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Iowa...

Clarion, IA · 3d

ktvo.com

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John Deere workers say they were given no warning about Ottumwa facility’s closure

OTTUMWA, Iowa - After just announcing it’d be offering jobs to the workers it had laid off previously, John Deere is now announcing that it will be closing its Ottumwa facility. On Wednesday, the company announced it would be closing two factories in Iowa, citing “changes in customer demand,...

Ottumwa, IA · 4d

Cedar Rapids Gazette

partner publisher · 637 followers

Lee County officials hear from residents on proposed steel mill project

FORT MADISON — Kelly Jameson has lived in the Green Bay Bottoms all her life. As a third generation resident, raising the fourth, she’s passionate about her community. And, she’s passionately against a proposed steel mill that is planned for the area. If Mesabi Metallics builds the largest steel mill in the United States just three miles from her house, she said, it defeats the whole reason she has stayed in her hometown. “This is currently a nice, rural community … when the reason we choose to live here is gone, why would we stay?” she asked at a public information meeting held in Fort Madison Wednesday evening. Lee County supervisors and officials from Mesabi Metallics held an informational meeting at the Quality Inn & Suites in Fort Madison, allowing area residents and business leaders to express their views on the potential for a steel mill. Roughly 200 people packed the hotel conference room, leaving standing room only. Jameson was one of about two dozen speakers Wednesday night, although her dissenting comments were in the minority. City administrators, economic development workers, supervisors and mayors of neighboring communities spoke in favor of the project and the opportunities it would bring. Local

Lee County, IA · 4d

ottumwaradio.com

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SIEDA Announces Changes to LIHEAP Applications in Wapello County

South Iowa Economic Development Association (SIEDA) is announcing changes to the application process for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Wapello County. Beginning November 1, 2026, Wapello County residents applying for energy assistance will have three options for submitting their applications. The changes are intended to streamline the...

Wapello County, IA · 6d

KCAU 9 News

partner publisher · 47.9K followers

‘I’m just a chicken guy,’ 11-year-old selling shirts to update Iowa county fair’s chicken cages

At the Iowa State Fair, we met a young contestant who was showing his chickens for a judging competition. Just a few months later, he's turning his attention to his own county fairgrounds.

Moravia, IA · 7d

ottumwaradio.com

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Fairfield Chamber Kicks Off Small Business Season with Punch Card Program

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting residents to support local businesses during Small Business Season, running November 1 through December 31, 2026. This year’s theme is “It’s the Thought That Counts,” a reminder that supporting local doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive — sometimes it’s as simple as choosing a local shop for a gift, recommending a favorite restaurant, sharing a business’s social media post, or telling a friend about a great experience.

Fairfield, IA · 5d

We Are Iowa

publisher · 87.6K followers

John Deere to close Ottumwa and Clarion factories, citing changing customer demand

Ottumwa, IA · 4d

KWQC

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Lee County, Iowa, to hold special meeting on proposed steel mill

FORT MADISON, Iowa (KWQC) - Lee County officials will hold a meeting on the proposed $15 billion steel plant Wednesday. There will be a presentation on the county’s negotiations with Mesabi Metallics about the plant and time for the board of supervisors to answer questions, according to a media release.

Lee County, IA · 5d

Pen City Current

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County creating input options on steel project

LEE COUNTY – A meeting planned for Wednesday night to give Lee County residents their first look inside negotiations between county officials and Mesabi Metallics around a $15 billion proposed steel mill is shaping up to be a big event. Lee County Supervisors released information on the event Monday...

Lee County, IA · 5d

Pen City Current

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County sets public meeting on Mesabi project

LEE COUNTY – Lee County officials have announced a meeting Wednesday to inform the public about the ongoing negotiations with Mesabi Metallics, the company wanting to build a $15 billion steel facility in Iowa. Lee County Auditor Sherri Yasenchok sent out a special meeting notice Monday afternoon announcing the...

Lee County, IA · 6d

KBUR

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John Deere officials announced Friday the company will be hiring 400 new workers across its factories

John Deere officials announced Friday the company will be hiring 400 new workers across its factories. In addition, more than 275 employees will be called back to its Waterloo operations, bringing total callbacks to approximately 1,000 since 2024. Deere officials said with these callbacks, all employees previously on layoff in Waterloo, the Quad Cities, Ottumwa, and Dubuque have been asked to return to work. However, about 125 employees remain on layoff status in the Des Moines area. Deere officials said in a news release that hiring would take place at facilities in Moline, Milan, Davenport, Dubuque, and Ottumwa.

Waterloo, IA · 7d

ottumwaradio.com

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Watch for a corn basis rally opportunity

A market analyst says improving corn basis could create opportunities for farmers to move grain instead of paying continued storage costs. Sam Hudson with Cornbelt Marketing tells Brownfield farmers have slowed grain selling, which helps the situation. “If you’ve seen basis rally in your area 30 cents compared to what...

Ottumwa, IA · 6d

ottumwaradio.com

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Cover Crop and No-Till Field Day Planned Near Harper on November 24th

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Keokuk and Washington County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, will host a cover crop and no-till field day near Harper in Keokuk County on Tuesday, November 24th from noon to 2 p.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Clear Creek Heritage Association. The no-cost...

Keokuk County, IA · 7d