Iowa Business Report

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The second in a three-part series of summer conversations about growing businesses from Advance Iowa. More than a half-million Iowa jobs were saved thanks to the Paycheck Protection Program. In this week's "Business Profile", we meet content marketer Christoph Trappe and his "Authentic Storytelling Project". For more, go to tota...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: We learn about the Iowa ABI third quarter economic survey, and how the group has stayed connected with members despite not holding an in-person conference this year. Leadership Iowa University will be virtual this year. In this week's "Business Profile", we learn about Cedar Falls Utilities, which has the fastest internet service in the c...

Each week, the Iowa Business Report radio program features a Business Profile segment, introducing listeners to an Iowa-based company or business. In this extended IBR Business Profile, we meet Roger Johnson of Premier Furniture & Equipment of Shell Rock. The company provides furnishings and materials for schools at a changing time for the structure of learning. He spoke with Jeff Stein for Io...

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry surveys its members each quarter about anticipated sales, hiring levels, and issues facing business. The results of the survey for the third quarter of 2020, and how ABI has connected with members despite having to cancel its annual June conference, are the topics for this conversation between Iowa ABI president Mike Ralston and Jeff Stein of the Iowa...

Each week, the Iowa Business Report radio program features a Business Profile  segment, introducing listeners to an Iowa-based company or business. In this extended IBR Business Profile, we meet Steven Dust of Waterfront Corporate Services, L.L.C. Mr. Dust has been involved in business and economic development for 40 years, including the past quarter-century in Iowa. He now uses that experience an...

The Iowa General Assembly completed its session in early June following an extended recess due to COVID-19. J.D. Davis, vice president for public policy, and Brad Hartkopf, director of public policy, for the Iowa Association Business and Industry spoke with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about the session and its impact on employees and employers.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: We breakdown the Iowa legislative session and its impact on employees and employers. Many people turn off their video before beginning a work-from-home video conference; we'll tell you who is more likely to do that. In this week's "Business Profile", we meet Steven Dust of Waterfront Corporate Services, L.L.C. and learn how he is now...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The Iowa chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is hosting a seven-session monthly institute starting in July. Sen. Charles Grassley predicts another CARES Act will be passed by Congress before the August recess. In this week's "Business Profile", we learn about the East Bremer Diner, a Waverly restaurant wit...

The Iowa chapter of NAWBO--the National Association of Women Business Owners--is holding a seven-session Business Institute beginning in July. Tamara Kenworthy and Donna Miller both serve on the NAWBO Iowa board, and are co-chairs of the institute. They spoke with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about the organization, and the event.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Advance Iowa is a consulting program based at the University of Northern Iowa that helps businesses at all stages of their growth. Gov. Kim Reynolds praises Iowa businesses for their actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this week's "Business Profile", we learn about Midwest Studies Group, a new company that helps non-profits and gover...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Leadership Iowa has helped connect the state's business and community leaders for nearly 40 years; the 2020 class has had a unique experience in the wake of COVID-19. The reopening of Iowa's and the nation's economy has led to a drop in unemployment rates. In this week's "Business Profile", we learn about MakuSafe of West D...

For nearly four decades, Leadership Iowa has connected business and community leaders from across the state in a unique year-long set of experiences. Applications are still being accepted for the 2021 Leadership Iowa class. Jessi McQuerrey, director of programs for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation, tells Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about LI, how it has adapted in...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Experiential learning through internships is important to the development of future employees. How has the pandemic affected those opportunities? The Iowa General Assembly gavels back into session next week, with passage of a FY 2021 budget leading the list of priorities. In this week's "Business Profile", we learn about Red Star Yeast an...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: How has the supply chain, and our purchasing options, been affected by COVID-19? If you're feeling sleepy while working from home...you're not alone. In this week's "Business Profile", Jerry Gallagher of the Donovan Group discusses helping schools tell their story. For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio pro...

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on supply chains and purchasing decisions alike. Ken Chester and Sasha J. Little of Roadworthy Drive Productions talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report on May 20, 2020 about how consumers have reconsidered even the most basic purchases.  

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: All this "working from home" has exposed some cybersecurity flaws. When education relies on hands-on learning, how does a school adapt when classes can't meet in person? In this week's "Business Profile", David Bywater talks about his company's five generations of experience in Iowa City. For more, go to totallyiowa.co...

 On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Businesses owe a legal duty to customers and employees, but how have those obligations changed in the aftermath of COVID-19? New numbers show the staggering cost of the pandemic on Iowa's economy, but one aspect shows optimism. In this week's "Business Profile", entrepreneur Robert Wersen talks about his Tassel Ridge Winery in Mahas...

As Iowa's businesses start to reopen, more attention is paid to their legal obligations, to customers and employees, in the aftermath of COVID-19. Amy Johnson is a business attorney with the Brown Winick law firm in Des Moines; she talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report on May 6, 2020 about what businesses should keep in mind to protect themselves, and their workers, in the future...

 On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Prosperity may be defined in a variety of ways; one London-based think tank has developed metrics to compare Iowa with other states, and the U.S. with the rest of the world One of the provisions of the CARES Act will not only benefit non-profit organizations, but also taxpayers who make donations. In this week's "Business Profile", we me...

Prosperity may be hard to define, but one London-based think tank has developed metrics to compare prosperity levels worldwide. Shaun Flanagan of the Legatum Institute talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report on April 29, 2020 about the U.S. Prosperity Index and how Iowa ranks in various categories, and compared with other states.    

The initial infusion of PPP funds via the CARES Act quickly ran out and placed a strain not only on small businesses, but their bankers. John Sorensen of the Iowa Bankers Association talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on April 16, 2020 about the situation, and the efforts Iowa's bankers have undertaken generally to assist individuals and businesses.