Iowa Business Report

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The CARES Act provided money for small businesses, but the fund quickly ran out of resources. Iowa Bankers Association president and CEO John Sorensen discusses the work of the state's bankers in helping small businesses in a variety of aspects. Normally cluttered family calendars are now empty; more major events were cancelled this past week due t...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss is the foremost authority on the Midwest economy; we hear his insight on what it will take to get the economy to recover post-pandemic. The CARES Act provided money for small businesses, but the fund quickly ran out of resources. In this week's "Business Profile", we meet Josh Scheinblum of Ce...

Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss is the foremost authority on the Midwest's economy and oversees two monthly surveys on the topic. Goss talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on April 15, 2020 about the current situation, and what is necessary to help the economy recover once the health crisis is over.  

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Iowa's gaming industry is a billion-dollar business, but like so many others, it's shut down due to the pandemic. Wes Ehrecke of the Iowa Gaming Association talks about the impact of casinos on the state's economy. The outlook was bright for agriculture as 2020 began due to trade agreements being in place, but the pandemic has presented n...

Iowa's businesses and manufacturers have taken unique approaches in response to the global pandemic. Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, provides examples and gives news about how the virus has affected his group's plans; Ralston talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on April 9, 2020. 

Two unique programs for students, sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation, provide practical experience developing skills along Iowa's talent curriculum. McKenzie Kielman of the Iowa ABIF talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about Business Horizons for high school students, and Leadership Iowa University for college students, via ZOOM on March 18, 2...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: We learn about Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa University, two programs designed to help students learn about business in a practical way. The Mid-American Business Conditions Index and Iowa Business Council quarterly economic outlook survey were both released this past week, and the impact of COVID-19 is evident. In the Business Profile, we meet...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: We check in with past program guests to see how they are handling their businesses and events in the age of COVID-19. Common rituals have been altered as "social distancing" is encouraged. In the Business Profile, we meet Steve Shriver of EcoLips of Marion...and learn about a unique partnership that could only happen during the time of the cor...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The U.S. Small Business Administration has a series of grants and loans available to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Many are finding themselves working from home for the first time; we have tips on how to be more productive in that setting. Iowa Association of Business and Industry members were already concerned about the impact of COVID-19 wh...

The Iowa Secretary of State's office is responsible for business recordings and filings. Increasingly, those have been available electronically. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate spoke with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report in the Secretary's office in the state capitol in downtown Des Moines on January 11, 2020.

The Iowa Rural Development Council hosts the Iowa Rural Summit; the fourth event was scheduled to be held in late April, but has now been moved to mid-August as a result of the global pandemic. IRDC executive director Bill Menner discussed his group and the impact of previous Iowa Rural Summit events with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on March 11, 2020.

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 second quarter of 2020, and the impact of COVID-19 on Iowa's businesses, are the topics for this conversation between Iowa ABI president Mike Ralston and Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report. The conversation too...

The U.S. Small Business Administration is ready to assist Iowans affected by COVID-19, now that the state has been qualified by SBA for disaster assistance. Iowa SBA district director Jayne Armstrong talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about the situation via ZOOM on March 19, 2020.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The fourth Iowa Rural Summit will be held in Cedar Rapids later this spring. Bill Menner of the Iowa Rural Development Council discusses the impact of the event on Iowa's communities. According to a new survey, Iowa is one of the happiest states in the country, which means we have more productive workers. In the Business Profile segment, find out w...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Learn about the Waterloo Career Center and why the unique school/business partnership has not only better prepared students for the workforce, but dramatically improved graduation rates, as well. Information about what poor child care options cost the Iowa economy each year...and signs that COVID-19 may be affecting the Midwest business outlook. In the...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Gov. Kim Reynolds explains why "Future Ready Iowa" was one of her key priorities, and how the program has grown in a short time. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst tells why she believes upcoming trade agreements between the U.S. and the European Union and United Kingdom will help Iowa manufacturing and agribusiness. In the Business Profile segment, we lear...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Adjusting Iowa's tax structure is a major topic before the Iowa legislature. A variety of options are possible, as Walt Rogers of the Tax Education Foundation of Iowa explains. USDA Rural Development in Iowa has $4 million available to help communities and businesses meet their needs. In the Business Profile segment, we learn about changes in farm...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Learning doesn't stop when one gets a diploma. Hear about three educational programs sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation designed to help develop Iowa's workforce and leaders. The new USMCA will soon be in place, but what specifically will it do to help Iowa manufacturing and agribusiness? In the Business Prof...

For more than 35 years, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation has been dedicated to developing Iowa's workforce and leaders through statewide educational programs--Business Horizons for high school students, Leadership Iowa University for college students, and Leadership Iowa for professionals. Jessi McQuerrey is director of programs for the Iowa ABIF; she spoke with...

Women Lead Change is an organization dedicated to the development, advancement and promotion of women, their organizations, and to impacting the economy and future workforce. WLC is the premier leadership organization for women, offering comprehensive leadership resources including events featuring prominent speakers, networking opportunities, public/private initiatives like the EPIC Corporate Cha...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Businesses do better when there are multiple voices around the table. Hear about one organization designed to enhance the role of women leaders in the workforce. The Iowa Business Council released its 2020 Iowa's Competitive Dashboard data this week. In the Business Profile segment, we hear about an entity that has been growing with its members--li...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: We'll hear about efforts by the Iowa Secretary of State's office to streamline filing requirements for businesses operating in the state. The economic impact of the Iowa Caucuses on the state is sizeable and broad. In the Business Profile segment, we hear about a third-generation Iowa company that makes the bins for storing Iowa's bumper...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: We'll hear about the first quarter 2020 survey of Iowa Association of Business and Industry members concerning the economic outlook regarding sales and staffing levels. The head of the National Association of Manufacturers delivered his annual "State of Manufacturing" address in Iowa this past week. In the Business Profile segment, we hea...

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 first quarter of 2020 are discussed with Iowa ABI president Mike Ralston. The conversation took place in Des Moines in December 2019, shortly after the survey results were released; and since at the time USMCA was final...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: National financial journalist Jordan Goodman tells us what to expect in business and the economy in 2020. We'll hear from state lawmakers about how they spend most of their evenings in Des Moines. In the Business Profile segment, we learn about United Equipment Accessories of Waverly, which started because the founder couldn't find a reliable...