‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: August 1st, 2011
A new CNBC study of top states for doing business ranks Iowa 9th in the county. The study ranked states by ten different factors, including: economy; business friendliness; cost of living; education; quality of life; workforce, technology, and innovation; access to capital; and infrastructure and transportation.
Of the ten categories, Iowa ranked about average in seven. Iowa was ranked number one as the least costly state of doing business. Cost of doing business was calculated by looking at tax burden, including individual income and property taxes, as well as business taxes, particularly as they apply to new investments. They also looked at cost of wages and rental costs for office and industrial space.
Full rankings:
- Workforce-Calculated by looking at education level of and number of available workers. Iowa was ranked 21st.
- Quality of Life-Based on local attractions, the crime rate, health care, as well as air and water quality. Iowa ranked 18th.
- Economy-Measured using economic growth numbers, state budget surpluses or deficits and number of major corporations in the state. Iowa ranked 5th.
- Infrastructure and Transportation-Calculated by measuring the value of goods shipped by air, land and water, the availability of air travel in each state, and the quality of the roads. Iowa Ranked 37th.
- Technology and Innovation-Ranking based the number of patents issued to their residents, and the deployment of broadband services. Also considered federal health and science research grants to the states. Iowa ranked 28th.
- Education-Based on test scores, class size and spending, and the number of higher education institutions in each state. Iowa ranked 15th.
- Business Friendliness-Based on legal and regulatory framework. Iowa ranked 11th.
- Access to Capital-Measured access to capital. Iowa ranked 35th.
- Cost of Living-Measured cost of living, including housing, food and fuel costs. Iowa ranked 14th.
Tags: business climate, CNBC Study, jobs and economy
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: July 12th, 2011
Des Moines was ranked number one by Forbes for best cities for young professionals despite the current national economic status. Iowa was cited for it’s high concentration for job opportunities and a median salary for employed college graduates between the ages of 24 and 34 at $47,200, which may be low compared to other cities but living costs are 8% lower than the national average .
With business costs 16% below the national average, Des Moines has been attracting startups and companies relocating from the coasts, and a number of established companies in the area are expanding, like DuPont’s bioscience unit Pioneer Hybrid, which plans to hire an additional 500 employees over the next few years. As a result, Des Moines boasts a low 5.8% unemployment rate (sixth lowest of the 100 cities we studied) and healthy projected job growth rates of 0.97% in 2011 and 2.86% in 2012.
To find out more go to: http://blogs.forbes.com/morganbrennan/2011/07/12/americas-best-cities-for-young-professionals/
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 22nd, 2011
While the Republican led House continues to debate everything but creating jobs, Democrats are looking out for Iowa’s small business owners. The Senate passed SF506 that helps Iowa small businesses get additional help for providing adequate health care coverage for their employees. Read the Des Moines Register article below:
Iowa small businesses could get cash back for health care coverage, bill says
4:35 PM, Mar 21, 2011 | by Jennifer Jacobs | Des Moines Register
Iowa-based small businesses could get a tax credit from the state to help defray the cost of providing health care insurance, under a bill the Iowa Senate approved today.
“Even the smallest businesses, the ones that don’t have big profits or a large tax liability, can get a state refund check by providing health care to their employees,” said Sen. Tom Rielly, D-Oskaloosa.
The Senate approved Senate File 506 with a 48-0 vote.
The proposal would build on the federal tax credit available through the federal health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The federal tax credit is available now for businesses with 25 or fewer employees. Until 2013, the tax credit is 35 percent; it jumps to 50 percent in 2014.
The state’s proposal would benefit about 60,000 Iowa businesses with 10 or fewer employees, Rielly said.
The refundable state tax credit would be equal to 25 percent of the credit an employer earns under the federal tax credit, the bill says.
A company that spends $50,000 a year to provide health care benefits will get a $17,500 federal tax credit. The state credit would save the business another $4,375 for a total of $21,875, Rielly said.
The Iowa credit would be available for the 2011 tax year, applying retroactively to Jan. 1, 2011, the bill says.
The loss in state revenue would be $6.8 million in budget year 2012, and $8 million the following year, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.
Democratic senators said this bill is part of their multi-part plan to create jobs in Iowa.
Small businesses pay 18 percent more on average than large businesses for the same coverage, Rielly said. Premiums have gone up three times faster than wages in the last 10 years, he said.
Tags: Des Moines Register, House Democrats, Iowa Small Businesses, Senate Democats, small businesses
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 14th, 2011
Iowa Workforce Development released last week that Iowa’s unemployment rate has remained stable for the second consecutive month, at 6.1 percent.
The total number of working Iowans rose to 1,576,500 in January, the highest level reported since April 2009. The January figure was up from 1,572,900 in December, and was 13,400 higher than the year ago total of 1,563,100.
Tags: iowa workforce development, unemployment, unemployment rate
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 1st, 2011
A public hearing has been scheduled for HSB 117 that will end collective bargaining and take away rights from police officers, fire fighters, state troopers, teachers, and prison guards.
Monday, March 7, 2011
6:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Iowa House of Representatives Chamber
Persons wishing to speak may sign up at the Legislative Information Office (LIO), Room G16, located in the Iowa State Capitol, or call the LIO at 515-281-5129. If unable to attend, you may e-mail written testimony to the LIO: lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us
Tags: collective bargaining, labor committee, Labor Law
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
