KC’s micro-loan program is giving small businesses a big boost
Laura Norris has worked for Kansas City nonprofits for years but always dreamed of running her own Italian deli. In 2013, she raised money from friends and family to finally open her business, but she kept getting turned down by banks for the last piece of financing to make it work. Then she learned about Kansas City's micro-loan program t...
Italian firm plans $56 million wind project in central Iowa
An Italian company says it has reached an agreement to build a $56 million wind farm in central Iowa with the capacity to generate 30 megawatts of energy. Building Energy SPA said its subsidiary, Building Energy Wind Iowa, will provide $23 million of the project cost, with Capital One Bank kicking in $33 million. Read more ...
Gear Up to distribute Italian-made rack system
GearUp, Inc. signed an agreement to distribute a new bike rack system called Figo in the U.S. Peruzzo s.r.l. of Rossano Veneto, Italy, manufactures the rack. The Figo is named for the Italian slang term for "cool." The patented bike storage and display rack offers an infinite number of ways to store a bike and comes in different colors. Wi...
ICC seeks Executive Assistant
The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St Paul is a non-profit organization founded in 2006. The ICC promotes the best of Italian culture in Minnesota to people of all ages, and creates stimulating opportunities for enrichment on personal and community levels. We provide Italian language classes which are taught by native instructors. In additi...
Toolmaker acquired by Italian company
Cyclo Toolmakers has been acquired by RUPES S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of electric and pneumatic power tools and vacuum systems, according to a press release. Cyclo manufactures the Cycle Orbital Polisher, noted the release. RUPES introduced its polishing system, BigFoot, in North America. The auto detailing and airplane polishin...
Barilla plans $26.5 million expansion to Ames pasta plant
Pasta-maker Barilla Group has announced plans for a $26.5 million expansion at its Ames production plant to add two new production lines dedicated to making gluten-free pasta. In a news release Friday, Barilla said construction is slated to begin in late March, and production is expected to start by October. The expansion will create 23 new jobs....
Italian outdoors brand to pitch tent in Golden
by George Demopoulos A 127-year-old Italian outdoors company is decamping for a new North American headquarters in Golden. CAMP USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Italy-based CAMP Technical Adventure Equipment, is moving this month from Broomfield to Golden. The new facility will house CAMP USA's offices, and handle inventory and shipp...
THE IABA 2016 Annual AWARD WINNERS
Hear ye, hear ye!! Your Board Of Directors is extremely pleased to announce the 2016 IABA Annual Award winners. These awards were announced and distributed at the Christmas Party last week. A huge congrats to all the winners!! And, if you missed the party, you missed a grand time! IABA Outstanding Member of the Year - Joe & Nick CapraI...
Market celebrates 60 years of business
For 60 years, Valente's Deli Bakery and Italian Market has been a staple in the Westminster community. Known for its homemade Italian sausage and cannolis, Valente's isn't a place where customers are rushing in and out — it's a place where people are greeted by a friendly staff, including father and son owners Larry and Dino Valente who consider se...
Italian machinery companies combine forces to market in North America
By Frank Antosiewicz A trio of Italian plastic machinery companies has formed a network and is retaining Alliance Automation LLC to market their products in the United States and Canada. Baruffaldi Plastic Technology srl, Engin Plast srl and Comav srl have formed the network called North Italian Plastic Technology, also known as NIP-Tech. &n...
"Italian style" exhibition opens at MIA
With its economy in ruins after World War II, Italy turned to artists and designers to rebuild and rebrand itself as a source of luxury goods. Fashion shows in a Florentine palace set the world abuzz. A dozen young designers sent gorgeous young women sashaying through a Renaissance salon in sleek satin gowns, silk day dresses, saucy toread...
From Italy to Montana: Young marketer impacts pulse industry
by David Murray Ask the typical American consumer what Montana food item is most likely to grace their dining room table, and the answer you'll most likely hear is either beef or wheat. Ask the same question of a citizen from just about any other part of the world and the answer is just as likely to be peas and lentils. For a thir...