What is the Envision Iowa Statewide Leaders Economic Outlook Survey?
The Envision Iowa Statewide Leaders Economic Outlook Survey (hereafter referred to as “survey”) is a research collaboration between Business Publications Corp. (BPC) and Bâton Global. The survey is designed to provide forward-looking data, analysis and actionable insights to a broad spectrum of decision-makers across Iowa to further the economic growth and vitality of our state by supporting them in making commercial, investment and public-policy decisions that positively influence Iowa’s long-term economic performance. The survey focuses on the three critical themes that drive state-level economic performance: people and culture, business opportunities and infrastructure. Within each of the three themes, the survey focuses on the four subthemes that capture the most pressing issues on Iowa’s economic performance agenda for 2024. The 2023 survey asked leaders for their outlook across the key themes and subthemes for the years 2024, 2026 and 2028, to better gauge how participants felt about the future.
Three high-level takeaways
Leaders are cautiously optimistic about business opportunities, driven by a strong belief in the economic power of the state’s key industries.
Leaders are growing more concerned about population growth and meeting workforce needs across the state of Iowa, impacting their outlook and driving concerns on potential future declines to quality of life for Iowans.
Heavy investments in communications infrastructure in 2021 and 2022 are reflected in leaders’ optimistic outlook, also reflecting their concern for the need for heavy investment across social, energy and transportation infrastructure.
WHAT'S IN THE SURVEY?
The Envision Iowa Statewide Leaders Economic Outlook Survey was sent to approximately 3,500 leaders from business and industry, economic development, chambers, education, municipalities and government agencies across Iowa. Responses represent 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The survey was in the field from Aug. xx to Sept. xx, 2023. Leadership sentiment for each sub-theme were analyzed and compared against underlying key performance indicators (KPIs) commonly used by Iowa leaders to measure Iowa’s performance. From our analysis, insights were generated to both inform and engage with leaders and decisions makers across Iowa to support their decision-making processes. Here are the questions that we asked:
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes to Iowa’s population in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for Iowa being able to meet its workforce needs in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for Iowa’s performance on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes in the overall quality of life for Iowans in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for innovation across the Iowa economy in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes to the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about 2024, what are your expectations for performance of each of the following key Iowa industries (agriculture, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, technology)?
- In thinking about 2026, what are your expectations for performance of each of the following key Iowa industries (agriculture, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, technology)?
- In thinking about 2028, what are your expectations for performance of each of the following key Iowa industries (agriculture, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, technology)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes to public-private partnerships (PPP) across Iowa in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes to the following social infrastructure in Iowa (housing, health, education, child care) in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes to transportation infrastructure (road, rail, air, barge) in Iowa in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
- In thinking about the future, what are your expectations for changes to communications infrastructure (cellular, broadband, satellite) in Iowa in the following years (2024, 2026, 2028)?
WHAT IS ENVISION IOWA?
Envision Iowa is an initiative created by Business Publications Corp. to help Iowa thrive and grow. The initiative includes three interactive think tank events containing a keynote, a panel discussion and interactive virtual networking. The think tanks will focus on three key themes necessary for Iowa to advance and grow: people and culture, business opportunities, and infrastructure. In addition to ongoing coverage of the think tanks in Business Record and dsm magazine, the initiative will culminate with a public in-person event on October 4 that will bring together leaders from across the state. LEARN MORE
SURVEY PARTNERS
BPC is an Iowa-based media company that serves business, cultural and philanthropic communities via its flagship publications: Business Record, dsm magazine and ia magazine. We successfully reach and engage diverse, targeted audiences through multiple platforms, including print, digital, video, audio and events.
Bâton Global uses objective, data-driven approaches that allow business leaders to find solutions quickly, so they can concentrate on what’s most important to them. We are proud to support Iowa businesses and communities in creating positive economic development outcomes and ensure continued success for future generations in Iowa.