Warren County Economic Development Corporation

What Warren County Economic Development Corporation does

Warren County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC) is a private non-profit economic development corporation incorporated in Iowa and founded in 1992, headquartered at 110 N. Howard Street in Indianola. It operates as the official convener and catalyst for proactive economic development across the fifteen communities of Warren County, Iowa, supporting business attraction, retention, expansion, workforce, tourism, and community development. Its core constituents are local SMBs, startups, site selectors seeking to relocate or expand within the county, and visitors, with secondary service to veterans and tourists. Programs include the Revolving Loan Fund ($5,000-$25,000 gap financing at 3-5%), the annual Small Business Grant Contest ($20,000 awarded in 2025), the Warren County Leadership Institute (WCLI, est. 1993), the County-Wide Gift Certificates program (rebranded 2024), the Warren County Hometown Pride community engagement program operating in eight communities, and the Warren County Philanthropic Partnership (WCPP, est. 2005), the latter operating as a community foundation affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and distributing over $1 million in grants since inception.

WCEDC is funded through a multi-tier mix of public and private investor contributions, with municipal partners at Community Champion, Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels (Warren County, Indianola, Norwalk, Carlisle, West Des Moines, Des Moines, TruBank, Peoples Company among them) and broader sponsor tiers. It generates no proprietary software or IP; its technology footprint is a Squarespace website, Constant Contact email, and externally hosted Laborshed Analysis and property search tools used for site selector engagement. Its go-to-market is hybrid: community-led through direct outreach across fifteen served communities, augmented by event-driven engagement (Annual Business & Balloons Breakfast, Economic Impact Celebration, Grant Pitch-Off, Leadership Institute sessions) and digital marketing via website, monthly newsletter, Facebook, and the Wander Warren County tourism content brand. Strategically the organization monetizes its location as the Southern Gateway to the Des Moines metro, leveraging proximity to Interstate 35 and 80, Union Pacific rail, Foreign Trade Zone #107, and Des Moines International Airport as core prospect-pitch assets.

The underlying economic backdrop is favorable: Warren County is Iowa's 5th fastest growing county, with a 53,402 population, #2 statewide median household income ($85,189), #4 per capita income ($38,087), #3 education attainment among Iowa's 99 counties, and a 393,018-person laborshed of which 68,030 workers are willing to change employment. WCEDC's leadership team is lean — Executive Director Rachel Gocken directs operations supported by one additional staff member, with a volunteer Board of Directors providing governance and Ex-Officio representation from partner organizations including the Greater Des Moines Partnership, MidAmerican Energy, and Des Moines International Airport.

Name

Warren County Economic Development Corporation

Legal name

Warren County Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://wcedc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Warren County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC) is a 1992-founded non-profit economic development organization headquartered in Indianola, Iowa, that serves as the official convener for business attraction, retention, expansion, workforce, tourism, and community development across the fifteen communities of Warren County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business assistance programs
• Workforce development
• Community development
• Tourism promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianola

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public and Private Funding: WCEDC is funded through a combination of public and private funds. The organization receives support from county governments, municipal investors, and private sector investors at various tiers (Community Champion, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze).
2. County-Wide Gift Certificates: Warren County Gift Certificates are sold and can be spent at any Warren County business like cash. This program promotes local commerce and generates modest transaction revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WCEDC is a non-profit economic development corporation that supports business growth, attraction, retention, and expansion across Warren County, Iowa. It delivers financial assistance (Revolving Loan Fund of $5,000-$25,000 and Small Business Grant Contest awarding $20,000 annually), workforce data via Laborshed Analysis, leadership training through the Warren County Leadership Institute, tourism promotion via Wander Warren County, community philanthropy through Warren County Philanthropic Partnership, and a county-wide gift certificate program that channels local commerce.

Product overview

Warren County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC) is a non-profit economic development organization founded in 1992 that provides a portfolio of programs and services to support business growth in Warren County, Iowa. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected initiatives rather than a single product, including the Small Business Grant Contest (awarding $20,000 annually), the Warren County Leadership Institute (WCLI) for leadership development, a Revolving Loan Fund for gap financing ($5,000-$25,000 loans), County-Wide Gift Certificates for local commerce, and the Warren County Philanthropic Partnership (WCPP) community foundation. Additional services include property/site search tools, the Wander Warren County tourism initiative, Laborshed workforce analysis, and economic impact awards. The organization serves as a convener and catalyst for proactive economic development, positioning Warren County communities to capitalize on Des Moines metro expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Warren County Leadership Institute (WCLI): Leadership training program formed in 1993 as an initiative of WCEDC to train and inform community leaders in Warren County.
• Warren County Philanthropic Partnership (WCPP)
• Warren County Gift Certificates

Products and services

• Small Business Grant Contest Annual grant competition awarding $20,000 total to small businesses in Warren County across two categories: Existing Business (1st $6,000, 2nd $3,000, 3rd $2,000) and Start-Up Business (1st $5,000, 2nd $2,500, 3rd $1,500). Open to local entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
• Warren County Leadership Institute (WCLI) Leadership training program offering 8 leadership sessions, county bus tour, networking opportunities, and class-led community projects. Participants learn leadership skills from Warren County leaders and engage in community development. Targets emerging community leaders.
• Revolving Loan Fund Gap financing program for small and emerging businesses in Warren County with minimum loan awards of $5,000 and maximum of $25,000. Interest rates typically 3-5% and capped at no more than prime plus 2%. Loans can be amortized over the lesser of seven years or the life of the security, with a $100 non-refundable application fee. Used for land acquisition, construction, machinery, startup costs, and working capital.
• County-Wide Gift Certificates Gift certificate program allowing recipients to spend like cash at any Warren County business for goods and services. Certificates can be made out in any denomination and ordered through the Indianola office. Promotes local commerce across all 15 Warren County communities.
• Warren County Philanthropic Partnership (WCPP) Community foundation established in 2005 as Warren County's affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Administers Iowa's County Endowment Fund and supports charitable giving across Warren County, having distributed over $1 million in grants to local governments and nonprofits.
• Warren County Property Search Commercial property listing database for businesses seeking sites and buildings in Warren County. Assists with first-time building purchases and business expansions, including certified sites, site inventory listings, and labor market data for site selectors and expanding companies.
• Wander Warren County Tourism Tourism promotion program showcasing Warren County attractions including the National Balloon Classic, Des Moines Metro Opera, farm experiences, outdoor adventures, lodging, dining, and digital passport programs offering exclusive deals to visitors.
• Laborshed Analysis Workforce analysis tool providing data on potential labor force (393,018), workers willing to change employment (68,030), and employment analysis by zip code. Conducted in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development to support economic development planning and business location decisions.
• Warren County Hometown Pride Community engagement program with local committees in eight Warren County communities (Carlisle, Cumming, Hartford, Indianola, Milo, New Virginia, Spring Hill, and Norwalk) that foster community pride, enhance public amenities, and support local improvement projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 million+ in grants distributed by WCPP since 2005
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Community Foundation of Greater Des MoinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCPP operates as an affiliate of Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, providing structure and resources for local philanthropy.
• Iowa Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency conducting Laborshed studies for Warren County, providing critical workforce data for economic development planning.
• Iowa Economic Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing Certified Site Program, CDBG grants, and various economic development resources.
• USDA Rural DevelopmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing rural development grants and programs for Warren County businesses.
• Small Business Administration (SBA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing loan programs and small business resources connected through WCEDC network.
• Mid-Iowa SBDCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall Business Development Center providing consulting and training for Warren County entrepreneurs.
• Greater Des Moines PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization with Ex-Officio representation (Tiffany Coleman and Stacie LoVan) on WCEDC board. Key partner for metro-wide initiatives.
• MidAmerican EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor utility provider and Ex-Officio board member Corey Morrison. Provides energy programs and rebates for economic development.
• Des Moines International AirportmajorOthersAirport located 5 minutes from Warren County border, providing passenger and cargo services for businesses.
• Union Pacific Rail ServicemajorOthersSpine Line runs along Warren County northeastern edge with switching station access in Des Moines.
• Foreign Trade Zone #107minorOthersFTZ conveniently located on Iowa Interstate 35/80 near Des Moines, allowing imported merchandise processing without customs duties.
• Simpson CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-year private college in Indianola. President Jay Byers served on Greater Des Moines Partnership. Hosts Economic Impact Awards at Principal Blackbox Theater.
• DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college with Southridge Center nearby providing workforce training and Iowa Jobs Training Funds.
• Warren County FairgroundsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairgrounds facility used for community events and Leadership Institute programs.
• Warren County Conservation BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages parks, trails, and natural areas including Lake Ahquabi, Annett Nature Center, and Great Western Trail featured in tourism itineraries.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mid-Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides small business consulting, training, and capital access across central Iowa. WCEDC explicitly lists Mid-Iowa SBDC as a partner and refers entrepreneurs to its resources, reflecting close functional overlap in small-business support services.
• Greater Des Moines Partnership: The regional economic development and chamber organization serving the Des Moines metro. WCEDC partners with the Partnership (ex-officio board representation), and they share mission overlap in business attraction, workforce development, and capital access for the same geographic market.
• Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines: WCEDC's Warren County Philanthropic Partnership is an explicit affiliate of this larger community foundation. They share the grantmaking model and overlapping donor base, and operate in close coordination on regional philanthropy.
• Dallas County (Iowa) Economic Development: An adjacent county EDO serving the same Des Moines metro growth corridor. Both organizations compete for the same inbound site selection opportunities and share overlapping laborsheds, but operate in different counties.
• Polk County (Iowa) Economic Development: The economic development function for Iowa's most populous county, which directly borders Warren County. Comparable in mission and overlapping market for Des Moines metro business attraction and retention.

Regional players

• Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development: A public-private economic development organization serving Lincoln, Nebraska. While in a different state, the structural similarity — a non-profit EDO funded by public-private investors running lending, workforce, and attraction programs — makes it a useful functional comparable.

Broad incumbents

• Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA): The state's primary economic development agency, providing the Certified Site Program and CDBG grants that WCEDC channels to local businesses. Operates one administrative layer above WCEDC with substantially larger resources and statewide scope.
• Iowa Area Development Group (IADG): A statewide non-profit economic development financing and consulting organization serving rural and mid-sized Iowa communities. Comparable mission to WCEDC in promoting business attraction and capital access, but operating at a larger, multi-county scale.

Emerging players

• Indianola Development Association / Simpson College Office of Economic Development: Simpson College, located in Warren County's seat of Indianola, partners with WCEDC on Economic Impact Awards and community initiatives. Adjacent in mission around local workforce and entrepreneurship development in the same micro-economy.

Others

• USDA Rural Development Iowa Office: Federal partner that channels rural business grants and programs through WCEDC. Not a direct peer but a key enabling partner that provides capital that WCEDC redeploys to local borrowers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/warrencountytourism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wcedc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Warren County Economic Development Corporation