h digitalfootprint web 728x90

Economic Development

DSC 6869

Partnership releases report on small-business jobs

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has released a Small Business Jobs Report. The report, which is based on U.S. Census Bureau Data, shows that 8,909 jobs were created by new companies in their first year …
By BPC Staff | Feb 20, 2019
DSC 6869

What’s the 10th-best capital in the land? Des Moines, of course

Personal finance website WalletHub has weighed the metrics and determined that Des Moines offers the country the 10th-best state capital. 

WalletHub evaluated 54 metrics — Des Moines ranked No. 1 in unemployment rate, No. 3 …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 20, 2019
DSC 6869

Hot pace for new businesses filed at secretary of state’s office

Iowa businesses nearly broke state record for new businesses filed in one month during January, reports Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. Pate’s office processed 2,195 new business filings last month, nine filings shy of …
By BPC Staff | Feb 12, 2019
DSC 6869

Retail federation forecasts slower sales growth

Retail sales growth in the U.S. is expected to slow down in 2019 amid cooling economic conditions, according to the National Retail Federation, Bloomberg reported. Americans will boost retail spending by 3.8 percent to 4.4 percent this …
By BPC Staff | Feb 8, 2019
DSC 6869

Iowa joins SkillSPAN advocacy network

Iowa is one of 10 states to join the just-launched SkillSPAN, a nationwide network of non-partisan organizations working together to influence workforce policy in more than 25 states over the next five years. SkillSPAN — which stands …
By BPC Staff | Feb 8, 2019
DSC 6869

Survey: Iowa business conditions improved in January

Creighton University’s Business Conditions Index for Iowa rose to 54.8 in January, up from 53.5. Anything above 50 suggests growth. 
The survey of supply managers found new orders at 57.8, production or sales at 52.2,…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 8, 2019
DSC 6869

Today’s ag picture: Farmers confident; economists, lenders, government, not so much

Successful Farming: With Trump tariff payments boosting Corn Belt farm revenue, farmer confidence shot to its highest level since last June, just before the trade war began against China, said the monthly Ag Economy Barometer …
By BPC Staff | Feb 7, 2019
DSC 6869

Iowa officials propose payout change for first week of unemployment

Radio Iowa: The state’s Workforce Development agency has proposed a six-month delay in paying the first week of unemployment benefits. Unions are sharply critical of the move, but the plan got initial approval from Republicans on …
By BPC Staff | Feb 7, 2019
DSC 6869

Video: 2019 Economic Forecast – Full

The main course at the 2019 Economic Forecast Luncheon: what’s going to happen with Iowa’s economy this year

The panelists included: Robin Anderson, senior economist, Principal Global Investors; Debi Durham, director, Iowa Economic Development Authority …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 5, 2019
DSC 6869

VIDEO: 2019 Economic Forecast – First Question

The main course at the 2019 Economic Forecast Luncheon: what’s going to happen with Iowa’s economy this year.


The panelists included: Robin Anderson, senior economist, Principal Global Investors; Debi Durham, director, Iowa Economic Development Authority …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 5, 2019