h digitalfootprint web 728x90

Economic Development

Goss

Economic indicators result in mixed reporting for Midwest region

Creighton University has released its Mid-America Business Conditions Index, which reached a 20-month high in March, and its Business Confidence Index, which was low, offering mixed signals for the Midwest economy.

The Mid-America Business Conditions …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 8, 2025
image

Business Council’s Q1 economic outlook index falls, but remains positive overall

Image courtesy of Iowa Business Council

The Iowa Business Council published its first-quarter Economic Outlook Survey results today, showing an 8.49-point decrease from the previous survey.

IBC’s Economic Outlook Survey measures expectations and optimism for the six months …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 7, 2025
Greater Des Moines Partnership square logo

Partnership hosting supplier development lunch and learn May 1

The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host Contracting Opportunities for Small Business, a supplier development lunch and learn event on May 1, in partnership with the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 7, 2025
Greater Des Moines Partnership square logo

DSM Fellowship Program 2025-26 cohort announced

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the 2025-26 cohort of the DSM Fellowship Program, a professional development initiative that aims to attract, develop and retain early career professionals. The cohort began its programming April …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 4, 2025
Downtown image Getty

Rural Iowa growth funding awarded to 2 cities, 2 counties

The Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded $40,000 in grants to support growth in two rural towns and two counties: Imogene in southwest Iowa, Sibley in the northwest, Calhoun County in northwest Iowa, and northeastern …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 4, 2025
Greater Des Moines Partnership square logo

Partnership plans second annual Regional Summit for Sept. 17

The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s second annual Regional Summit will take place on Sept. 17 at the Iowa Events Center. According to a news release, the event is designed to provide opportunities for community, business …
By Business Record Staff | Apr 3, 2025
image

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…
By Gigi Wood | Mar 31, 2025
U.S. Small Business Administration logo

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 …
By Business Record Staff | Mar 28, 2025
Housing 2 Getty

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 …
By Business Record Staff | Mar 28, 2025
ABI square logo

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 …
By Business Record Staff | Mar 28, 2025