MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – The Marshalltown Mall is poised for transformation as it enters a tax increment financing (TIF) deal with the city, promising a brighter future for the struggling space. The 20-year agreement will not exceed $7.25 million in TIF annually and mandates at least 70% occupancy, with restrictions on non-retail and self-storage uses. Developers have committed to investing nearly $43 million in the property to ensure the project’s success. Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer emphasized the importance of the mall’s redevelopment for the health of Marshalltown, noting that several stores have already signed on. Although he couldn’t disclose specific businesses planning to move in, Greer expressed confidence in restoring the mall to its former glory, reminiscent of its bustling days 30 to 40 years ago. Optimistically, shops could be moved in and open for business sometime late next summer or early next fall. The mall has faced challenges in recent years, including a power shutdown in 2023 due to unpaid bills, leading to business departures. Legal challenges followed, with a judge ordering the building to be brought up to code. Kohan Retail Investment Group, which bought the mall in 2020, sold it in January for $8.4 million, significantly more than the $2.4 million it initially paid.
ANKENY, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch/KCRG) – JBS USA announced Wednesday it had reached an agreement to purchase an Ankeny facility, previously owned by Hy-Vee, to build out a ready-to-eat bacon and sausage facility. According to a press release from the company, the 186,000-square-foot facility will be the largest of its kind in the JBS portfolio and will create approximately 400 jobs, once fully operational. The purchase and required facility enhancements represent a $100 million investment, according to the release. The plant is expected to be operational by mid-2026 following capital investments and construction. The facility was previously the Fresh Commissary, which made sandwiches, salads, bakery items and take-and-bake pizzas for Hy-Vee stores. Hy-Vee announced in April it was closing the facility that employed more than 300 people. JBS plans to hire employees who previously worked at the facility under Hy-Vee, “due to the type of work,” the press release said. JBS is also planning a sausage-making facility in nearby Perry. With the two new locations, JBS will have five plants in Iowa. Other plants are in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown and Ottumwa.
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – The Marion Civil Service Commission confirmed the firing of a Marion firefighter after a workplace incident last year. William Zamastil, a Marion firefighter, was fired after he reportedly pressured coworkers not to report an incident of workplace violence. According to the Marion Civil Service Commission, Zamastil violated sections of the employee handbook related to retaliation and dishonesty. On November 10, 2024, Zamastil appealed his termination to the Civil Service Commission. He has been employed with the city as a firefighter and acting lieutenant since 2015. According to documents from Chief Tom Fagan, Zamastil witnessed a workplace violence incident and pressured coworkers not to report it to management. Fagan said when Zamastil learned the victim reported the incident, he created an uncomfortable work environment for the victim. During investigation, Zamastil was not honest in an administrative interview related to the incident. Fagan said his strong technical skills do not overcome his lack of maintaining department core values including integrity. The department will move forward with filling the position to restore full staffing levels.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Inflation is placing a strain on Midwest families, according to a new report from Common Sense Institute (CSI). Using the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CSI found that the total extra spending needed to maintain the same standard of living from January 2020 to July 2025 is $42,700. In addition, CSI estimates that the standard Iowa family spent $1,247 more in July 2025 than in January 2020 to maintain the same living standards. According to the report, monthly costs for housing, transportation, and food have also increased since 2020. Since 2020, housing costs have increased over $466 a month, transportation costs have increased over $296 a month, and food costs have increased over $175 a month. From July 2024 to July 2025, fuels and utilities costs have increased by 7.8%, housing costs have increased by 4.6%, and services have increased by 3.7%. Costs for medical care are also growing at the quickest pace since 2022. The current Midwest inflation rate is 2.6% year-over-year in July, which is slightly under the U.S. average of 2.7%.
