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Economic Development

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Report: Fewer men in Iowa’s workforce could prove costly

Since 1977, the percentage of men between the ages of 16 and 24 (represented by blue dots) participating in the labor force has dropped 17.5 points, according to data from Common Sense Institute. The percentage…
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SBA restores lender fees to 7(a) loan program

The U.S. Small Business Administration has restored lender fees to its 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) program, the SBA’s primary business loan program, provides loan guarantees to lenders that allow them to provide financial help …

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Inflation expectations have risen this year, says University of Michigan report

The University of Michigan has updated its “Current versus Pre-Pandemic Long-Run Inflation Expectations” report from October to include four additional months of data. The report includes seven years of data from phone and internet surveys …

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ABI quarterly survey shows tariff concerns, capital spending plans

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry has released the results of its latest quarterly survey with statewide business leaders. The survey, conducted in early March, shows leaders are concerned about tariffs, plan to keep staffing …

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Report: 1,100 jobs shed in Iowa in February

Iowa firms shed 1,100 jobs in February, ending a three-month streak of jobs gains, new data from Iowa Workforce Development shows.

The job loss in February was mostly fueled by lower-than-expected seasonal hiring at the …

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Economist Goss offers his take on tax collections, tariffs

Image courtesy of Ernie Goss.

In his monthly newsletter, Ernie Goss, the Jack A. MacAllister chair in regional economics at Creighton University, this week summarized the state of the economy.

Goss publishes the monthly Creighton …

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Iowa achieves first-ever top 15 national ranking in governance, IBC reports

Images courtesy of Iowa Business Council

Iowa’s gross state product has increased 6.5% to $254 billion in the past year, according to the Iowa Business Council’s 2025 Competitive Dashboard report.

The new numbers continue an ongoing trend …

Mrs Clark foods

IEDA approves funding for Mrs. Clark’s, public projects

The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board on Friday approved awards for various businesses and public projects across the state, which will create 16 jobs and result in $72.7 million new capital investment.

Mrs. Clark’s Foods …

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Further farm income decline expected, Rural Mainstreet Index shows

Images courtesy of Creighton University.

More than 60% of rural bank CEOs expect farm income to decline this year, according to the latest Rural Mainstreet Index. The report is based on a survey of bank …

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Tax cuts, housing, child care on Partnership’s 2025 federal agenda

The Greater Des Moines Partnership announced its 2025 federal policy agenda Tuesday, ahead of the Partnership’s annual DMDC trip to Washington, D.C. The trip is set for May 7-9.

On the trip, attendees from across the region will …