MONDAY, SEPT. 25, 2017  |  IN THIS ISSUE  
 
A proposed partial settlement to Alliant Energy's 2017 rate case calls for a 8.6 percent increase in the utility's overall electric rates in Iowa.

Alliant filed the rate case on April 3, and implemented its interim base rate increase on April 13. In a press release late last week, the company said the settlement proposed will boost rates 2 percent above the interim rate, for a total 8.6 percent rate increase.

The final impact of the rate increase on each customer class will be determined through the remainder of the rate review process, the company said. Customers will also continue to receive bill credits related to tax benefits and refunds on transmission expenses to offset the base rate increases. The utility will provide more tax-related bill credits to customers in 2018 under the settlement agreement.

The settlement was reached with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, the Iowa Business Energy Coalition and the Large Energy Group. It was the first rate case filed by Alliant in six years, and the settlement includes agreement on monthly fixed customer charges of $11.50 for residential customers and $19 for general service customers.

"This collaborative process with our customer groups and our company created a fair agreement that supports our objective to provide exceptional service to our customers," Doug Kopp, president of Alliant's Interstate Power and Light utility in Iowa, stated in a press release.

The company said the additional revenue will help strengthen the Iowa power grid, advance cleaner energy and provide "innovative customer solutions."
 
Wisconsin-based HUSCO International. PHOTO/HUSCO
HUSCO International, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer with a facility in Maquoketa, has announced an $85 million, three-year capital investment plan.  
 
HUSCO manufactures hydraulic and electro-hydraulic controls for the off-highway and automotive industries. It expects to invest $16 million to expand and modernize its worldwide facilities, and $69 million in new program-specific equipment and tooling.
 
The company's capital investment plan is designed to not only support new growth, but to modernize global facilities in preparation for additional future expansions, it said in a statement. Total revenue for 2017 is expected to reach a record of over $400 million, more than 10 percent above 2016.
 
The most significant investments will occur in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where the company's headquarters is located, but major investments will also be made at its Maquoketa plant and four others. 
 
The company's global headcount is expected to grow by a net new 270 positions by 2020, with 160 of those located in the United States and 120 in Wisconsin.
 
Woodward Communications Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire the publisher of seven weekly newspapers in the Corridor.

The Dubuque-based company is acquiring West Branch Communications from Jake Krob and Stuart Clark, according to a press release. The sale is scheduled to close on Friday. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

West Branch Communications includes seven weeklies: The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, Solon Economist, West Liberty Index, West Branch Times, North Liberty Leader, Marion Times and Linn News-Letter, in addition to adjoining shoppers, and specialty publications. The company was formed in 2001 by Mssrs. Krob and Clark.

Mr. Clark also publishes the Tipton Conservative and Clarence Lowden Sun-News, which were not included in the sale. 

The newspaper group will become part of Woodward's Community Media Division, which consists of six weekly newspapers, including three Iowa weeklies: the Dyersville Commercial, the Cascade Pioneer and the Manchester Press. 

The newspapers will continue to operate from their current locations, and maintain their existing publication cycles, Woodward said in a statement. Mr. Krob will join WCI as regional publisher in charge of the West Branch Communications group, and will report to Steve Fisher, publisher of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald and group publisher of Woodward Community Media.
Story4Celebrating 60 years of the Arc of Southeast Iowa 
 
The CBJ's latest custom publication marks the 60th anniversary of the Johnson County-based nonprofit focused on the welfare of those with disabilities:
 
A cheerful chaos descends on an otherwise typical office building every weekday morning.
 
"You get to hang out with a lot of different kids and they always remember you, which is sweet," Evelyn Maravillo said.
 
Ms. Maravillo is a direct-care professional for The Arc of Southeast Iowa. On a recent typical morning, she and her colleagues worked and played with eight children ages 5-17 in the newly remodeled lower level of its headquarters at 2620 Muscatine Ave., Iowa City.
 
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, The Arc made the renovations to better serve its client families while meeting recent changes in the way its services are funded.
 
"That's the direction we're moving toward," said Ryan Markle, director of on-site programming. "Individual services get a little more difficult to provide with the privatization of Medicaid."
 
So, the new facility will provide all-day care and activities for clients with developmental disabilities, from infants to teenagers. Arc clients can spend their days in the new program rooms and in the outdoor playground, allowing their parents and siblings to go about their daily routine knowing they're safe and secure.
 
"It's been such a benefit to our family, to be part of a place like this," Wendy Trom said.
 
See the full anniversary section at corridorbusiness.com.
Story5Coralville lands major regional waste conference
 
One of the Midwest's largest recycling and solid waste management forums is coming to Coralville this fall.
 
The 2017 Iowa Recycling and Solid Waste Management Conference will be held Oct. 2-4 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. During the event, decision-makers in the fields of recycling, sustainability and waste management will tour noteworthy facilities, participate in educational sessions, network and explore the Coralville/Iowa City area.

The conference is hosted by the Iowa Recycling Association and the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations, the foremost organizations representing recycling and solid waste professionals in Iowa. Organizers anticipate about 300 registrants and exhibitors.

The event kicks off Monday, Oct. 2, with tours focused on recycling and reuse, operations and safety and sustainability. Tours of a dozen locations will be provided, including Petersen Iron and Metal in Coralville, the River Products Quarry and Recycling Plant, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' food waste reduction and composting program, scrap metal recycling at Muscatine Metal and a look at the city of Iowa City's natural stormwater management at the South Sycamore Greenway.

On Tuesday, keynote speaker Damon Carson, owner and founder of repurposedMATERIALS, will kick off two days of education sessions on topics ranging from the future of the bottle bill in Iowa and rural recycling efforts to optimizing solid waste and recycling collection services.
 
The event is open to anyone interested in learning about developments in the recycling, sustainability and solid waste industries. An exhibit hall will be open to guests from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 3, regardless of whether they have registered as a conference guest. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.iowaconference.org.
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EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner

Sept. 25
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m.,Iowa Children's Museum, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network, keep up-to-date with chamber and community events and frequent a member restaurant or business. Free for members. Call the chamber (319) 337-9637 if interested and not a member.

Sept. 26
Iowa Technology Summit, by Technology Association of Iowa, all day, Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, 833 Fifth Ave., Des Moines. The Iowa Technology Summit will convene creators and consumers of technology from Startups to Fortune 500 companies. This daylong event is designed for sharing of ideas and real-world experiences, with the goal of elevating Iowa's technology industry and establishing Iowa as a technology state. Cost: Starting at $195. For more information, visit iowatechsummit.com.

Sept. 27
1 Million Cups, by 1 Million Cups, 9-10 a.m., MidWestOne Bank, 102 S. Clinton St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, startup pitches and free coffee. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2vWaQhG.
 
Iowa Tax Law Legislative Update & Iowa Capital Gain Deductions, by IASourceLink, noon-1 p.m., online. This online course will provide information about tax law changes enacted during the 2017 legislative session, as well as an overview of Iowa's capital gain deduction. Time will be left at the end for any questions. Free. Register at bit.ly/2uWVqb
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
Iowa County authorities are trying to determine what caused a deadly crash near Williamsburg Thursday night. According to Iowa State Patrol, three teens died and a 21-year-old survived in the crash at 240th St. and G Ave., near Lake Iowa. A crash report says the driver lost control of the 1993 Chevy pickup on a gravel road, went down into in a ditch and overturned in a creek. Deputies believe the crash happened at about 10 p.m. Thursday night but the vehicle wasn't found until Friday afternoon. Investigators said Chad Owens, 18, of North English, Michael Galyon, 19, of Williamsburg, and Kaitlyn Cook, 19, of Deep River, died in the crash. Anna Townsend, 21, of South English was taken to the hospital by air ambulance. Her condition is unknown.

The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight canceled due to weather has been rescheduled for Oct. 3. The cancellation on Sept. 19 was the first time an Eastern Iowa Honor Flight was cancelled. During the trip next week, 89 veterans will visit the memorials dedicated to their own service. This includes the WWII, Korean and Vietnam memorials. They will also visit Arlington National Cemetery and other memorials. During this trip veterans will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington. Since the flights began in 2009, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight has transported more than 2,300 veterans and their guardians to memorials in Washington, D.C. The honor flight will leave the airport around 6:30 a.m. and return that same night around 10 p.m.
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails'  Weather First Forecast

A change is coming that will shut down the summer heat, but first another toasty day is on the way with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 80s. Record highs are likely safe today, as we'll be within five degrees of records this afternoon. A cold front will be moving through over the next two days and lead to showers and storms. Today clouds will gradually build and a few showers and thunderstorms will be possible after 3 p.m. Clouds will remain in place through the night and storms will wind down close to 9 p.m. A few scattered showers thunderstorms will be possible during the first half of Tuesday as the front moves through. Otherwise it will be cloudy and not quite as warm with high temperatures in the mid 70s.