​April Member Meeting

​Thursday, April 17 | 11:30AM - 1:00PM
Hosted by Attivo Trail
1010 SW Magazine Road, Ankeny

Great workplace culture isn’t just a perk—it’s a competitive advantage. At our April Member Meeting, BetterCulture co-founder Blake Hoogeveen will share the real business impact of culture and present several practical, proven strategies his firm uses to help clients earn recognition as a Best Place to Work. Whether you’re looking to reduce disengagement and turnover or elevate your team’s performance, this session will equip you with actionable insights you can implement immediately. Don’t miss it!

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What's Happening in Ankeny?

South Ankeny Boulevard Revitalization 
On March 24, the City of Ankeny hosted approximately 80 attendees at the second and final public open house for the South Ankeny Boulevard Revitalization Plan. City staff and consulting firm Confluence shared feedback from nearly 1,000 residents and presented recommendations aimed at ensuring the long-term economic vitality of South Ankeny Boulevard between West First Street and Oralabor Road.
Key recommendations include:
  • Encouraging mixed-use development with high-density residential, commercial, and retail spaces.
  • Enhancing the corridor with landscaping, branding, and streetscape improvements.
  • Implementing incentives to drive redevelopment and reinvestment.
For more details, visit: South Ankeny Blvd. Revitalization Plan. The City Council will review the plan’s recommendations at an upcoming meeting this spring.

Edged AI-Ready Data Center
Edged is set to bring an ultra-efficient, AI-ready data center to Ankeny, featuring advanced waterless cooling technology. The facility, located on SE 90th Street near I-80, will span approximately 105,000 square feet, including office space and utility infrastructure. The project represents a $187 million investment and is expected to create high-quality, long-term tech jobs. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Q2 2025.

Mrs. Clark’s Foods Expansion
Mrs. Clark’s Foods is expanding its SE Dalbey Drive facility by 90,000–100,000 square feet, primarily adding production space along with some office space. The expansion will create up to 15 new jobs, further strengthening Ankeny’s manufacturing sector.

Ankeny School District 10 Year Plan

In case you missed it, the Ankeny School District unveiled a new 10-year strategic plan aimed at enhancing education and student opportunities. Key initiatives include expanded academic programming, such as online learning and homeschool support, as well as new facilities for fine arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. A major highlight is the Innovative Hub, designed to connect students with businesses and industries, equipping them with valuable skills for higher education and career readiness. To learn more, go to: ​https://www.ankenyschools.org/district/facility-master-plan/innovative-hub/

Property Tax Bills Introduced in Iowa Legislature

Representative Bill Gustoff, House District 40, shared good information about Property Tax Bills that have been introduced.
A quick summary:
  • HSB 304 – Calculates property taxes on a per-parcel basis with a 3% limitation, aiming to provide predictability for taxpayers.
  • HSB 303 – Uses interest from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to help “buy down” property taxes
  • ​HF 600 – Caps the average levy rate at 2% per $1,000 but allows local governments to exceed it with a 60% public vote. It was specifically requested an option for local governments to appeal directly to voters, so this is a positive inclusion.
  • HF 418 – Adjusts how residential property values are assessed, modifies assessment limitations, and revises levy rate caps.
  • HSB 316 / SSB 1208 – A major overhaul of the property tax system, based on widespread concerns from both taxpayers and taxing entities. This bill, in its current form, includes:
    • Revenue restrictions to ensure broad property tax relief.
    • A $25,000 homestead exemption for homeowners.
    • Additional property tax relief for veterans and seniors.
    • Phasing out the rollback system for residential, commercial, and industrial properties over five years. (The rollback system, enacted in 1977, has led to unpredictability for local governments.)
As HSB 316 moves through the legislative process, legislators will continue seeking feedback from Iowans and key stakeholders. This bill is a starting point for reform and will likely evolve based on public input. Altogether, the proposed changes are estimated to deliver $426 million in property tax relief for Iowans. 

February 16 Member Meeting

Ankeny Business & Industry Collaborative held the first meeting of 2025 on Friday, February 21 at Snyder & Associates. Our thanks to Mike Bousselot (Iowa Senate District 21); Heather Matson (Iowa House District 42); and Ryan Weldon (Iowa House District 41) for joining us and providing insights on the current legislative session as well as participating in a panel discussion on economic development, economic growth, workforce development, and property taxes. Our thanks to them as well as all of the members who attended!

Share Your Insights: Contribute to Our Newsletter!

We want to spotlight the great things happening at your company! If you have exciting news, innovative projects, or success stories that are driving growth and making an impact, we’d love to feature them in our bi-monthly newsletter. To keep things current, please share any updates or achievements that reflect recent developments in your business. Sharing is easy—just email the information to [email protected]. Your company’s achievements could inspire others and showcase the positive changes happening in our community. Keep in mind, the ABIC newsletter is sent in January, March, May, July, September and November. We look forward to hearing from you!

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110 N Ankeny Blvd, Suite 200, Ankeny IA 50021
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