Doing Business

Existing Businesses

Explore what makes Marion County, Iowa's, workforce so strong and the many opportunities available to them.

Ready to expand your business or explore new markets? Let us help you connect to resources for research, planning, site development, and marketing. Our job is to connect our local prime businesses with the data and resources you need to continue to innovate, expand and succeed. We know that in rural areas such as ours, over 86% of all new jobs come from existing companies.

Annual Business Report    Available Sites    Available Buildings    Laborshed Report    Utilities

Talent Initiatives

Leadership Red Rock

  • Focus: Workforce Retention & Upskilling
  • Description: Leadership Red Rock is a multi-session program focused on elevating knowledge on key trends as well as building leadership skills. Applications are accepted in the fall.  Sessions are held once per month at various locations from November to March.

Regional Broadband Study

  • Focus: Business & Workforce Attraction & Retention
  • Description: Marion County is part of an eleven-county group in Central Iowa within the Greater Des Moines Partnership to complete a regional broadband study. This project includes surveys to gather actual internet speeds which will assist in the attraction of providers as well as access to funding.

Top 10 Under 40

  • Focus: Workforce Attraction & Retention
  • Description: Each year, Marion County Development recognizes ten outstanding young professionals who live and work in Marion County. This program shares their stories via digital marketing and honors their accomplishments at an announcement event.

Succession Planning

Marion County Development and our local communities are working on succession planning resources for Marion County companies. If you are interested in learning more, please contact ceysink@marioncountyiowa.gov.

Resources

State, regional, and local agencies provide a variety of resources for expanding and existing companies working to grow their business. Get connected today to navigate your future.

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Resources

AdvanceIowa

Coordinates a network of family owned businesses who discuss succession planning in addition to consultive services for growth phase companies.

Alliant Energy

Rebate programs. Business development resources.

Career Academy of Pella

Career prep program for High School students. Apprenticeship program.

Central College

Four year liberal arts college.

CIRAS

Provides product research, education and networks for manufacturing companies in Iowa. Located at ISU.

515-509-4379
ciras@iastate.edu
Website

DMACC Business Resources

Assists businesses with accessing training funds in 260(e) and 260(f) programs. Also helps with connecting businesses to resources.

515-256-4913
dbr@dmacc.edu
Website

Future Ready Iowa

State initiative to upskill residents & students.

515-725-3882
Website

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Ten county regional economic partnership business & workforce recruitment.

Iowa Area Development Group

Regulatory assistance. Rural economic development grant and loan program.

800-888-4743
bhansen@iadg.com
Website

Iowa Department of Transportation

State roads.

515-239-1101
Website

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Several incentive programs such as new jobs tax credit, high quality jobs, etc.
Workforce attraction marketing program. 
 

Iowa Economic Development Authority-International Office

Iowa has trade offices in several locations around the globe.

Iowa Workforce Development

Regional offices, post job, labor market information, posters and more.

515-281-9619
Website

IowaSOURCE Link

Primary resources and mentoring for business connection in Iowa. Site includes how to establish a business as well as templates to assist existing business.

Knoxville Chamber of Commerce

Some chambers provide revolving loan funds and resources on incentives.

Marion County Development

Marion County Development works countywide to enhance the area's economy.  We work with our economic development regions and state agencies on broader economic development issues and opportunities.  In addition, we work with our local communities to provide a link to regional iniatives.

Marion County Engineer

Rural and Marion County roads.

Mid Iowa Development Fund

The Mid Iowa Development Fund knows that our strength lies in collaboration with other counties. The seven-county area in central Iowa served by the RLF - Polk, Dallas, Jasper, Story, Boone, Marion, and Warren - were designated as disaster areas under the August 12, 1993, Presidential Declaration.  This very diverse seven-county area in central Iowa was the most heavily flood-damaged region in the nation during the 1993 flood (more than $100 million in business and property losses.) Back in 1993, these counties realized that by working together we could overcome our challenges much more efficiently, and that is why it was ultimately decided to launch Mid Iowa Development Fund, Inc.

MidAmerican Energy

Rebate programs. Business development resources.

PACE Alliance

Some chambers provide revolving loan funds and resources on incentives.

641-628-2626
info@pella.org
Website

Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce

Some chambers provide revolving loan funds and resources on incentives.

Small Business Development Center

Provides free, confidential business advice and low-cost training workshops for businesses with less than 500 employees.

STEM

Student and career partnership within STEM occupations.

515-271-2403
info@iowastem.gov
Website

Zoning Offices

Marion County Zoning

Department Contact:
Melissa Poffenbarger

214 East Main Street, Suite 2
Knoxville, Iowa 50138

641.828.2231, option 7

City of Pella Planning & Zoning

Department Contact:
Gerald Buydos

825 Broadway Street, Lower Level
Pella, Iowa 50219

641.628.0043

City of Knoxville Planning & Zoning

Department Contact:
Nathan Parch

305 South Third Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138
641.828.0550, ext. 7