Posts Tagged ‘Iowa Economy’
Author: admin Published: September 2nd, 2010
Yahoo Finance recently released the top ten states with low unemployment rates. Iowa showed up at number 10 on that list with a 6.8% unemployment rate, under the national average by 2.7%. Iowa has been steadily gaining jobs throughout the year, in just July Iowa gained 1,700 jobs over June and 3,700 jobs over July 2009.
Here’s what Yahoo Finance had to say:
Iowa: Outperforming with a diverse economy plus agriculture
Unemployment Rate: 6.8%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: While commonly perceived as an agricultural hub, Iowa actually boasts a surprisingly diverse economy with jobs in the manufacturing, biotech, finance, insurance, and government services — all of which contribute to a strong hiring market. The S&P gave the state a Triple-A rating in 2009 (only one of nine to hold the position then).
Education: 24.3% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or higher. (Lower than average)
To read about all the states made the list visit:
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/10-states-with-ridiculously-low-unemployment—-and-why-535377.html?tickers=^dji,^gspc,spy,dia,udn,edv,uup
Tags: Iowa Economy, Jobs, jobs and economy, unemployment rate, Yahoo Finance
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: June 23rd, 2010
May home sales in Iowa rose over 20% from a year ago and nearly 5% from April, which is another positive sign for Iowa’s economic recovery. According to a new report from the Iowa Association of Realtors, a total of 3,460 homes were sold in May 2010 and the average sale price was $140,153.
Here’s the info from the Realtors:
Home sales were up again while prices held steady in May, according to the Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR).
The IAR’s 2010 May Housing Trends Report shows the total number of homes sold in May was up 20.8 percent from May of last year, and up 4.9 percent from April. A total of 3,460 homes were sold in May 2010, while just 2,865 homes sold in May 2009 and 3,297 homes sold in April 2010.
Average sales prices held fairly steady in May, down 1.7 percent from last May and up 1.4 percent from this April. The average sales price of homes in Iowa was $140,153 in May 2010. The average sales price was $142,624 in May 2009 and $138,257 in April 2010.
“Sales prices may be on the upswing,” says Carey Jensen, president of the IAR. “This is the first time in 2010 that we’ve seen the statewide average sales price over $140,000. The spring ended fairly solid. Hopefully we’ll have a strong summer of activity as well.”
A continual bright spot in the monthly housing stats is days houses spend on the market. Days on the market in May were down 16 days or 14.4 percent from May of last year, and down seven days or 6.9 percent from April of this year. “The decreasing days on the market are a good indicator that the market is improving,” says Jensen.
Thirty-one of the 47 local REALTOR® boards and reporting sites in Iowa reported an increase in number of sales last month from May 2009, and 18 boards reported an increase in the average sales price of homes from last May. In addition, 26 boards reported decreases in the number of days on the market when compared to last year at this time.
The information used to create the May 2010 Housing Trends report was current as of June 10 at 8:00 a.m. The information is subject to change due to the dynamic nature of the IAR’s housing statistics system, which is updated hourly based on information present in local participating MLS (multiple listing service) systems. Boards not yet reflected in the statewide statistics include Burlington and Ft. Dodge.
The Iowa Association of REALTORS® is the state’s largest real estate professional organization representing more than 7,000 members and affiliates. The IAR releases a Housing Trends Report each month. Data is collected from local REALTOR® boards through their multiple listing service (MLS), which tracks sales activities in the board area. The IAR compiles all of the local board data into the statewide report each month. Reports are available online to IAR members and affiliates with a login and password. Anyone is eligible to become an IAR affiliate. For membership information, visit www.iowarealtors.com.
Tags: Iowa Association of Realtors, Iowa Economy, iowa home sales
Category Jobs & Economy |
Author: deanfiihr Published: June 2nd, 2010
A new survey from the Iowa Business Council is projecting strong business growth for Iowa. The quarterly survey, which measures activity from Iowa’s largest employers to gauge the strength of their businesses, surged eight points higher from last quarter and 24 points higher than one year ago.
Here’s the release from the IBC:
Economic Outlook Indicators Project Strong Upward Movement
DES MOINES, IOWA – (June 1, 2010) Activity in the three areas measured by large employers to gauge the strength of business – sales, capital spending, and employment – is markedly higher for the coming six months. The 2010Q2 Iowa Business Council (IBC) Overall Economic Outlook Survey Index (OSI) rose to 62.3 – eight points higher than three months ago (54.3) and 24 points higher from one year ago (38.3). The survey was completed by the 20 corporate members of the Iowa Business Council during the second half of May, the results of which were released today.
The 2010Q2 Sales OSI is 67, nine points higher than last quarter and 23 points ahead of one year ago. Ninety percent of the CEOs expect steady or increased business activity over the next six months – substantially higher (10%), higher (55%), or no change (25%). Ten percent of survey respondents expect sales levels to decrease – lower (10%) or substantially lower (0%).
The 2010Q2 Capital Spending OSI is 60, which is five points above last quarter and 27 points higher than the 2009Q2 survey. Ninety-five percent of IBC corporate members expect steady or increased capital spending levels through November 2010 – substantially higher (10%), higher (25%), or no change (60%). Five percent of survey respondents expect capital spending, i.e., investments in facilities and equipment, to decrease – lower (5%) or substantially lower (0%).
The 2010Q2 Employment OSI is 60, ten points higher than three months ago and 22 points ahead of this same time last year. Eighty-five percent expect hiring levels for the next six months to remain steady or grow – substantially higher (0%), higher (50%), or no change (35%). Fifteen percent expect employment needs to decrease – lower (15%) or substantially lower (0%).
“These survey results provide evidence of a growing confidence by business leaders in the long-term prospects for the markets they serve,” said Tom Aller, president of Interstate Power & Light – an Alliant Energy company – and 2010 chair of the Iowa Business Council. “The depth and extent of the recovery continues to hinge on whether business reforms coming out of Washington, D.C., will have a limiting affect on our economy. The growing magnitude of budget issues in Europe may have an impact, as well. However, the IBC Economic Outlook sales index indicator has moved noticeably higher after bottoming back in 2009Q1. This suggests companies of all sizes in Iowa are beginning to adjust production levels and inventories in anticipation of increased business activity. The Iowa economy often is quite resilient in the face of challenging times, and these improved survey numbers are proof of that.”
The quarterly Iowa Business Council Economic Outlook Survey incorporates a diffusion index, wherein each survey response falls on a 100-point scale. Using weighted averages, an index number is then calculated that measures the sentiment of IBC executives projecting business activity six months into the future. An Outlook Survey Index (OSI) of 50 indicates that the business sentiment of all survey participants is average; an OSI above 50, the sentiment is positive; below 50, the sentiment is negative. This index will generate a numeric measure going forward that attempts to more precisely estimate the economic condition of business activity in Iowa.
Tags: Iowa Business Council, Iowa Economic Development, Iowa Economy
Category Jobs & Economy |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 4th, 2010
Governor Culver has proclaimed March as Flood Awareness Month. The proclamation kicked off a month-long public information campaign to educate Iowans about flood insurance, disaster precautions and other safety facts. Flood awareness is important, as Iowa is still recovering from the floods and storms of 2008. The 2008 disaster was the worst natural disaster to strike the state and is considered one of the largest disasters on record in U.S. history.
Throughout March, the Rebuild Iowa Office, the Iowa Insurance Division, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division will share flood-related information and safety tips with the media and the public.
Officials also want to make sure Iowans are aware of the availability of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). According to the NFIP, a home located in a flood plain has a seven times greater risk of having a flood than a fire. Iowans can find out whether a particular community is enrolled in the program by visiting the Rebuild Iowa Office’s Web site at
Iowans can also learn more about flood safety tips and how to create a family emergency plan at
www.rio.iowa.gov.www.bereadyiowa.org.
Tags: flood, Governor Chet Culver, Iowa Economy
Category Environment |
Author: deanfiihr Published: August 12th, 2009
In the latest sign that Iowa’s economy is beginning to recover, homes sales in Iowa surged 4% last quarter over the beginning of the year. The report, which was produced by the National Association of Realtors, also said the Quad Cities area (Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island & Moline) led the nation with a 30% increase in the median price of homes sold.
Iowa is one of just nine states that have increased home sales over last year, at 1.6%.
(more…)
Tags: Iowa Economy, iowa home sales, Jobs, quad cities
Category Jobs & Economy |
