A great place to begin your business journey...

 

A Business Pitch Contest

The live Red Rock StartUP! pitch contest will be held April 18, 2024 starting at 5:30 pm at the Cordova Park Office Building.  Finalists will have opportunity to showcase their ideas to win cash prizes. . Below are the rules and contest information.  Pitch Contest FAQ     Pitch Contest Rules


The Red Rock YEA (Young Entrepreneur Awards) have been created to encourage entrepreneurship in Marion County, Iowa youth. There are two divisions: junior-grades 5-8 and high school-grades 9-12. Students must be a full-time student who lives in Marion County, Iowa. See the FAQ information below for additional details.  YEA FAQ

The public is invited to attend and connect with entrepreneur resources at an event held on April 18 starting at 5:30 pm at the Cordova Park Office Building. The Red Rock StartUP! pitch contest and YEA awards are sponsored by Alliant Energy, DMACC Business Resources, PACE Alliance, Marion County Bank and Marion County Development. For more information on next year's contest, contact Marion County Development.


Resources

State, regional, and local agencies provide a variety of resources for startups and entrepreneurs working to grow their businesses. Get connected today to grow your dreams.

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Resources

Alliant Energy

Rebate programs. Business development resources.

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

EntreFest

Two-day conference for entrepreneurs which is generally held in May.

319-382-5128
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 Employers' Council-IWD

Workshop held every other month at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pella Golf & Country Club. No membership fee. Iowa Workforce Development works with local leaders to identify topics of interest to local human resource providers.

515-725-3606
Website

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.

Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce

Some chambers provide revolving loan funds and resources on incentives.

Renew Rural Iowa

Focus on rural entrepreneurs. Provides education, financial assistance and mentoring.

800-254-9670
Website

Small Business Development Center

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

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