‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives

Iowa Gets Recognition for Manufacturing Climate

The 2011 Manufacturing and Logistics National Report gave the State of Iowa an A grade for its healthy manufacturing climate.  The report grade was based on local factors such as the quality and availability of the labor force, transportation infrastructure, non-wage labor costs, access to innovative technologies and the cost of doing business. Iowa was one of only five states to receive the top grade in the manufacturing category.

The Manufacturing and Logistics National Report which is prepared by Ball State University grades the U.S.’s 50 states in several areas of the economy that  are successful in manufacturing.

Other areas were graded including manufacturing and logistics health, human capital, the cost of benefits, the global reach and diversification of the industries, state-level productivity and innovation, the tax climate, and venture capital activities.

To read more go to: http://cber.iweb.bsu.edu/research/conexus11/

Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News, Uncategorized |

Rep. Miller to Host Urban-Ag Academy on Saturday

In an effort to foster cooperation and understanding between agriculture and urban areas, State Rep. Helen Miller of Ft. Dodge, who also serves as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, is hosting the first ever Urban-Ag Academy in Ankeny with leaders from across Iowa on Saturday, November 12^th.

“As state legislatures become more urban and inclusive of more minority groups, it is time to create an environment for interactive problem-solving and the exchange of ideas.  We can’t afford to continue the same urban vs. rural debate any longer, policy makers on both sides need to have an opportunity to reach outside their traditional audience and collaborate on solutions to mutual concerns,” said Miller.

Miller said the purpose of the Urban-Ag Academy is to bring urban and minority leaders and policy makers together; inform an ever-increasing number of urban legislators on ag issues; educate non-rural legislators on the often unseen effects on and potential benefits to their districts; and lay the groundwork for a national conference for non-rural policy makers nationwide.

“Both rural and urban districts stand to reap enormous benefits from increased understanding of the benefits of agriculture to urban economies and the issues faced by rural constituencies,” added Miller.

The Urban-Ag Academy will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 9-4pm in Ankeny.  Participants in the Academy include ISU’s Dr. Michael Duffy, ISU Professor Mark Edelman, Sandy Ehrig from the Iowa Farm Bureau, Dr. Don Heck from Iowa Central Community College’s Biofuel Lab, and officials from the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and US Dept. of Agriculture.

Tags: Iowa Agriculture, Iowa State University, Rep. Helen Miller, USDA
Category Agriculture, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

Hall to Help Lead House Job Creation Efforts

State Representative Chris Hall of Sioux City has been appointed to serve as Ranking Member of the House Economic Development Appropriations Committee for the 2012 legislative session.

“Rep. Hall is committed to creating new opportunities and bringing good-paying jobs to Sioux City and across our state.  Working with the head of the new Economic Development Authority Debi Durham, Hall will make sure Sioux City is well served in the state’s job creation efforts next year,” said House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy.

“Chris has a reputation for working across party lines and advocating for our community in Des Moines. This is a positive step for Sioux City,” said Dave Bernstein, a Sioux City businessman who is Vice Chair of the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board.

In addition to serving as Ranking Member, Hall will also serve on Appropriations, Economic Growth & Rebuild Iowa, Natural Resources and Transportation committees.

“Growing our economy and putting Iowans back to work is my top priority and I’m proud to be chosen to help lead the Economic Development Appropriations Committee.  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move our state forward,” said Hall.

The 2012 legislative session starts on January 9^th.

Tags: chris hall, Economic Development, iowa jobs
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

Republicans Refuse Action To Keep Workforce Offices Open

Republicans in the Iowa Legislature have refused to help unemployed Iowans and struggling communities.  Democrats asked Republicans earlier this month to help request a special session to override Governor Branstad’s line-item veto of legislation prohibiting the closure of local Iowa Workforce Offices.  While all Democrats have signed the letter, not a single Republican in the House or Senate acted to keep the workforce offices open.

“The Legislature worked together to keep our local workforce offices open and it’s extremely disappointing that Republicans have refused to help Iowans,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal. “In tough economic times, we should not be closing doors on Iowans looking for work and on small business looking to hire more workers.”

“We extended a bipartisan olive branch to the Republicans.  They took it and instead broke it over the backs of the middle class, delivering yet another blow to the 100,000 Iowans currently out of work,” said House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Governor Branstad line-item vetoed language in Senate File 517 last month that required the state to maintain the current number of Workforce Development field offices. In his veto message, the Governor said he intends to close at least 36 Workforce Offices around the state and replace them with so-called library kiosks.

Democrats called for a special session under Article III, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa provides that members of the legislature may convene a special session if two-thirds of each house signs a petition. A veto override also requires support from two-thirds of each chamber.  However, no Republicans returned the letter calling for a special session so the petition did not reach the two-thirds required in both chambers.

“Republicans turned their backs on Iowans wanting to get back to work and small communities with high unemployment,” said Senator Bill Dotzler, chair of the Senate Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. “Visiting a web site at the local library won’t help workers get training or connect businesses with the skilled workers they need.”

“This is the place where Iowans who want to go back to work or get the training they need to land a good-paying job begin their search and where local businesses can find skilled Iowans who fit their needs,” said Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt, ranking member of the House Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.  “This Republican plan is especially a slap in the face for rural Iowans who are trying to access employers and redevelop their skills.”

A table of the Workforce Offices that will close due to Republicans and Governor Branstad is below.

Note: July unemployment numbers are not yet available.

Tags: iowa workforce development, IWD
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |

Democrats Push to Keep Workforce Centers Open to Help Unemployed Iowans

Following Governor Branstad’s veto of language protecting Iowa’s Workforce Development offices, Democrats announced  they will be signing a petition calling for a special session of the Iowa Legislature with the sole purpose of overriding the Governor’s veto in order to keep workforce centers open. Democrats are also reaching out to Republican colleagues to sign on as well.

This is the wrong time to close down workforce center offices, with over 100,000 Iowans looking for work. Moving forward Democrats want to continue to work in a bi-partisan way to keep these offices open. The offices provide critical job training and placement services and help local businesses find skilled workers.

Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature worked together to ensure Workforce Development field offices were adequately funded and language was included in Senate File 517 directing Iowa Workforce Development to keep their current offices open.  Governor Branstad ignored the bi-partisan work of the Legislature and vetoed funding for the centers and requirements that they remain open.  In his veto message, the Governor said he intends to proceed with his plan to close at least 36 Workforce Development offices around the state and replace them with computer kiosks in local libraries.

Democrats will continue to push for a special session to keep workforce centers open in order to help businesses find skilled workers and help Iowans find good paying jobs. The deadline to get a  two thirds vote to call the House back is August 15.

Tags: Governor Terry Branstad, iowa workforce development, Iowa workforce Development closure, Workforce Center
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |