Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO)

1501 S.W. 7^th Street

Atlantic, IA 50022-2206

Phone: 712.243.4196

Toll Free: 866.279.4720

https://www.swipco.org

Harrison County 

Harrison County Development Corporation

Address: 109 N. 4th Avenue, Suite 2, Logan, IA 51546

Phone: 712.644.3081

Email: hcdc@iowatelecom.net

Website: www.hcdconline.com

Description: The Harrison County Development Corporation (HCDC) is the oldest county-wide economic development organization in Iowa. HCDC helps improve the economic well-being of communities and businesses in their county by promoting, improving, and aiding economic, industrial, recreational, and tourism opportunities. They accomplish this by working with the County and ten communities in Harrison County, along with local and regional organizations. While HCDC does not provide revolving loan funds (RLF) for local businesses, the area’s utility company, Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative, does offer RLF funds for local businesses. 

Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative

Address: 105 Enterprise Drive, Woodbine, IA 51579

Phone: 712.647.2727

Email: joefar@hcrec.coop

Website: https://www.hcrec.coop/

Description: Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative (HCREC) works closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), www.rurdev.usda.gov, through its Revolving Loan Program. The program allows HCREC to participate in a matching grant facility, and funds are then loaned to qualified projects at nominal interest rates. 

Shelby County

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Address: 1901 Hawkeye Avenue, Suite 101, Harlan, IA 51537

Phone: 712.755.2114

Email: info@exploreshelbycounty.com

Website: www.exploreshelbycounty.com

Description: The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry promotes interest in local business possibilities. They work with business members to promote Shelby County in order to build a stronger economy, increase tourism, and improve quality of life for the entire county. Additionally, the Shelby County Chamber offers revolving loan funds (RLF) for Shelby County businesses. The area’s electric utility, Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, also offers revolving loan funds for local businesses. 

Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (REC)

Address: P.O. Box 714, Harlan, IA 51537

Phone: 712.755.2166

Email: jleinen@nvrec.com

Website: https://www.nvrec.com/

Description: The Cooperative created the Nishnabotna Valley REC Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to improve the quality of life in rural areas by contributing to long-term improvement in the local economy. Loans may be made to existing businesses with the goal of creating or retaining employment in rural Iowa. 

Cass County

Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO)

Address: 14 West 6th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022

Phone: 712.243.2022

Email: jencadco@metc.net

Website: www.atlanticiowa.com/cadco/

Description: The Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) is a public/private partnership that serves as the economic development specialist for Cass County and the City of Atlantic, which is the county seat. Like many other economic development organizations, CADCO provides economic development data and property information to prospective businesses looking to expand or locate in the area. Additionally, CADCO offers revolving loan funds to small businesses in Cass County. 

Atlantic Municipal Utilities

Address: 15 W 3rd St, Atlantic, IA 50022

Phone: 712.243.1395

Website: https://amu1.net/

Description: Atlantic Municipal Utilities offers revolving loan funds for businesses looking to expand. They offer loans in the $100,000 range.  

Montgomery County

Stanton Community Economic Development 

Address: P.O. Box 311, Stanton, IA 51573

Phone: 712.829.7340

Email: jramsey@fmtcnet.com

Website: www.stantoniowa.com

Description: Stanton Community Economic Development is a public/private partnership between the City of Stanton and the Farmer’s Mutual Telephone Company (FMTC) and serves as the economic development authority for the City of Stanton. While they do not offer revolving loan funds for businesses, they do have a small COVID-19 relief fund. FMTC also recently launched the Entrepreneur Lab, which offers free business support services to customers to help them grow their business or locate their business in the area. The Lab offers their services remotely via video conferencing. 

Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association

Address: 307 East Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566

Phone: 712.623.4821

Email: info@redoakiowa.com

Website: www.chamber.redoakiowa.com

Description: The Red Oak Chamber’s mission is to promote Red Oak’s economy, improve the quality of life, and represent the business community. The Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association does not offer revolving loan funds for businesses. 

Montgomery County Development Corporation

Address: 307 E Reed Street, Red Oak, IA 51566

Phone: 712.357.1122

Email: director@mcdevcorp.org

Website: www.growmocoia.org/

Description: The Montgomery County Development Corporation provides programs, offers services, and engages in other activities that support and promote community development in Montgomery County. This includes helping businesses with site selection and providing information on communities, workforce, and infrastructure in the county. They do not currently offer revolving loan funds for local businesses. 

Southwest Iowa Community College – South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Address: 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801

Phone: 641.782.1483

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCISBDC

Website: https://iowasbdc.org/

Description: The Small Business Development Center is a free resource that works with individuals, communities, and existing and emerging businesses in Montgomery County by providing services and programs. SBDC provides services in economic development, workforce development, and entrepreneurial development.

Fremont County

Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association

Address: 619 W. Sheridan, Shenandoah, IA 51601

Phone: 712.246.3455

Email: gconnell@shenandoahiowa.net

Website: www.shenandoahiowa.net

Description: The Shenandoah Chamber’s mission is to strengthen their area’s economy by increasing high-paying job opportunities, improving retail shopping, and supporting community development projects. They also provide information and professional assistance to companies looking to locate in the area. 

Page County

Clarinda Chamber of Commerce

Address: 115 East Main Street, Clarinda, IA 51632

Phone: 712.542.2166

Email: chamber@clarinda.org

Website: www.clarinda.org

Description: The Clarinda Chamber promotes the businesses and the City of Clarinda. They coordinate several community events and disseminate community information to visitors, new residents, and new businesses. 

Clarinda Economic Development Corporation

Address: 200 S. 15th Street, Clarinda, IA 51632

Phone: 712.542.2160

Email: amy@developclarinda.org

Website: www.developclarinda.org

Description: The Clarinda Economic Development Corporation promotes economic development in Clarinda. Their work focuses on improving Clarinda’s economy by building the tax base, strengthening the housing market, and encouraging workforce growth.  

Southwest Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative (REC)

Address: 1801 Grove Avenue, PO Box 367, Corning, IA 50841

Phone: 888.220.4869

Website: www.swiarec.coop

Description: The Southwest Iowa REC participates in economic development activities to promote the development of communities in their service area. One way they accomplish this is by offering revolving loan funds to businesses for economic development. Businesses may contact the Corning office to inquire about revolving loan funds. 

Iowa Western Community College – Iowa Western Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Address: 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Phone: 712.325.3350

Email: spitts@iwcc.edu

Website: www.iowawesternsbdc.com or iwoasbdc.org

Description: The Iowa Western Small Business Development Center is a free resource for existing small businesses and start-up businesses in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties. They offer technical assistance with business startup planning, business plans, marketing, websites, strategy, financing, legalities, licenses, etc. They work with businesses one-on-one and offer trainings. 

Southwest Iowa Loan Fund

Phone: 402.685.5500

Website: www.nebbiz.org

Description: The recently established Southwest Iowa Loan Fund offers direct loans to businesses and fills financing gaps with other lenders and programs. Additionally, they assist in entrepreneurial training and business development services. Initially, the fund will focus on small businesses in Pottawattamie County, but will expand to six to twelve nearby counties long-term. 

Grow Iowa Foundation

Address: P.O. Box 51, Lenox, IA 50851

Phone: 641.343.7977

Email: info@growiowa.org

Website: www.growiowa.org

Description: The Grow Iowa Foundation provides low-interest loans for new businesses, business expansions, and community development projects, which consist of capital for small business, industrial, manufacturing, and affordable housing projects. While Grow Iowa works in 21 counties in southwest Iowa, not all programs are available in all counties. Some or all of their business-related programs are available in Shelby, Guthrie, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Union, Clarke, Fremont, Page, Taylor, Ringgold, and Decatur counties. 

Iowa Area Development Group

Address: 2600 Grand Avenue, #430, Des Moines, IA 50312

Phone: 800.888.4743

Website: www.iadg.com

Description: The Iowa Area Development Group provides consulting services to help businesses and communities throughout Iowa with economic development projects. They provide a range of services, which include site and building identification, financial incentive packaging, marketing, community resource assessment, and other business resources. 

SCORE

Website: www.score.org

Description: As a nonprofit resource partner of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE provides small business advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners. They utilize a network of over 10,000 expert volunteers who offer business mentoring and workshops. SCORE provides mentoring services via phone, email, and video, along with webinars and other online resources.

Iowa Center for Economic Success

Address: 2210 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA

Phone: 515.283.0940

Website: www.theiowacenter.org

Email: info@theiowacenter.org

Description: With a mission to empower Iowans with the potential to succeed, the Iowa Center provides support for small businesses in the areas of education, capital, and networking. 

Veterans Business Resource Center (VBRC) – Iowa Office

Address: 210 Walnut Street, Room 749, Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: 515.284.4422

Website: www.vetbiz.com

Description: The VRBC provides entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, Veterans, National Guard and reserve members, and military spouses. They help them transition from military to corporate business through training, counseling, and mentorship. 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development – Iowa

Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/ia

Description: USDA’s Rural Development office works to bring economic opportunity to rural Iowa communities. They accomplish this by operating over fifty financial assistance programs for a variety of rural applications.