The Economic Development Division fosters municipal/business partnerships, offers business assistance, facilitates the business retention program and manages a business database. Businesses seeking to expand or improve their operations receive assistance from the Economic Development Division.
The Business Affairs Division works closely with the Development Corporation of Fort Dodge and the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance to perform business retention activities and new client lead generation activities. The Economic Development Division also works with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, and other regional entities such as the Mid-Iowa Growth Partnership, to coordinate economic development projects. Tools used for economic development include, but are not limited to: tax increment financing and enterprise zone.
The staff also works closely with the Development Corporation of Greater Fort Dodge, the downtown Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District, Webster County Improvement Corporation, Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation, USDA Rural Development, Iowa Finance Authority, EDA, and HUD.