Welcome!

Welcome to Clarke County, Iowa and the Clarke County Development Corporation web site!

The Clarke County Development Corporation is dedicated to strengthening the economic development of southern Iowa through the growth of our existing business and industry, the addition of new industry to our communities and enhancing the quality of life enjoyed by our residents.

Located in the heart of southern Iowa, Clarke County offers an ideal location at the junction of US Highway 34 and Interstate 35 and the quality of our workforce is next to none. We offer a variety of business assistance programs that foster the economic development of the area. Find out why companies such as Hormel Foods, Paul Mueller and Boyt Harness call Clarke County home.

CLARKE COUNTY LAUNCHES INAUGURAL BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION WITH $100,000 PRIZE

Spurred by rising unemployment (7.1% in June compared to 4.2% a year ago), Clarke County development Corporation and the Clarke County Foundation are launching a Business Plan Competition.   The competition will also encourage your entrepreneurs to stay and set-up businesses in South Central Iowa, thereby decreasing the continuing “brain drain” problem that Iowa has struggled with in the past. 

According to a recent study completed by the Kauffman Foundation, US small business employs more than 50 percent of the population. CCDC and the Foundation have a desire to create jobs, decrease unemployment and increase the business vitality in the area.

The competition awarding a prize of $100,000, will give preference to start ups or expansions that are involved with advanced manufacturing, information technology or bio science. The cash prize will be paid out in four annual installments to insure the company locates in Clarke County and stays in business.

CCDC and The Foundation believe that Iowa is a great place for entrepreneurs. In a recent study conducted by CNBC, the state of Iowa ranked fourth overall in the Top States for Business in 2009. Criteria included: cost of doing business; workforce; quality of life; economy; transportation and infrastructure; technology and innovation; education; access to capital; and cost of living.  Iowa's economy ranked fourth overall in the category, and the state ranked first in the cost of doing business category.

Letters of intent will be received beginning on September 14, 2009 and business descriptions are due by October 5, 2009. Finalists will be notified on October 30^th and Business Plans will be due December 31, 2009. The winner will be announced January 26, 2010 at the annual dinner of the Development Corporation.

For additional information contact the Small Business Development Center at 641-782-1483 or the Clarke County Development Corporation at 641-342-2944. Or email us at info@clarkecountyiowa.com.

Business plan brochure pdf