BPC Senior Director of Events Stacey Thompson and Business Record Editor Sarah Diehn host the weekly recap of statewide news you may have missed in the last week. Stories shared were first reported between Jan. 14-20.

Explore the Emerging Leader MBA Scholarship — a full-ride designed to develop Iowa’s next generation of business leaders.

Full ride. Full potential. Learn more and apply here.

In this episode of Made in Iowa, Leisa Fox sits down with leaders from Accumold to explore what modern manufacturing looks like in today’s business and cultural climate. The conversation begins with Accumold’s evolution as a company and its role in serving highly specialized global markets, including medical technology, micro-electronics, optics, and emerging technologies. As products continue to get smaller and more precise, Accumold’s capabilities—and the demand for them—are only expanding, even as advancements like additive manufacturing reshape the broader industry landscape.

A significant focus of the discussion centers on people and workforce development. Accumold leaders emphasize that their success is driven by culture, long employee tenure, and intentional career pathways—standing in stark contrast to national manufacturing turnover trends. The episode candidly addresses the challenges facing the skilled trades, including the aging workforce, skills gaps, and outdated perceptions among younger generations. Accumold’s response is proactive and hopeful, highlighted through programs like Accumold Scholars, Iowa Learns, and deep partnerships with schools such as DMACC. Together, these initiatives showcase manufacturing as a viable, future-proof career path offering strong wages, hands-on learning, educational support, and long-term opportunity—right here in Iowa.

All too often, we reflect on history with a look in the rearview mirror. On this episode of Fearless, we take a look at the history being made right in front of us. We spoke with Ella Schmit, a senior at the University of Iowa and a member of the women’s wrestling team, and her experience advocating for the growth of women’s wrestling in Iowa.

BPC President Chris Conetzkey and Business Record Editor Sarah Diehn host the weekly recap of statewide news you may have missed in the last week. Stories shared were first reported between Jan 7-13.

Explore the Emerging Leader MBA Scholarship — a full-ride designed to develop Iowa’s next generation of business leaders.

Full ride. Full potential. Learn more and apply here.

On this month’s episode of the DSM Wealth Podcast, we explore one of the most important and often delicate elements of personal finance and wealth — how families communicate about money. “Money Talks: Healthy Conversations for Today’s Families,” highlights how open, intentional conversations can align values, reduce conflict, and strengthen both relationships and long-term financial health. Joining the discussion are experts Kimberly Stamatelos, attorney, mediator and author with more than four decades of experience guiding families through complex transitions; Ashlee Vieregger, Senior Lead Advisor at Foster Group who works with ultra-high net worth families across generations; and Abby Croll, tax partner at Eide Bailly specializing in tax and estate planning for high net worth individuals and families. Join us for strategies on communicating more effectively about financial matters.

In this inaugural episode of the DSM Wealth Podcast, host Suzanna de Baca, a leadership and financial expert, invites listeners to rethink what retirement can be to unlock a more intentional and meaningful next chapter in life. She speaks with nationally recognized private wealth adviser Deniz Franke and author and transition coach Jann Freed, Ph.D., about viewing retirement not as an ending, but as a purposeful new beginning grounded in both financial preparedness and personal fulfillment. Listeners will hear provocative insights on why retirement is far more than money, revealing how purpose, joy, communication, and thoughtful planning can create a richer and more satisfying future.

Ahead of the Business Record’s annual Economic Forecast event, host Chris Conetzkey sits down with the event speakers to ask them for a glimpse at their projections for the year. From persistent uncertainty around trade, inflation and geopolitics to pockets of stability and modest growth, the guests share why 2026 may feel “steady but strained” — and what that means for Iowa businesses planning for the year.

In this episode:

What “steady but strained” conditions mean for business planning and workforce strategy

Outlooks for Iowa’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors after several challenging years

State revenue trends and broader policy factors influencing Iowa’s economic landscape in 2026

Why uncertainty has been a persistent theme in the post-pandemic economy

GUESTS: 

Robin Anderson - state chief economist and division administrator, research & policy division, Iowa Department of Revenue

Amy Friedrich - president of benefits and protection, Principal Financial Group

Ann Collins - executive vice president and CFO, EMC Insurance Cos.

Eric Lohmeier - president, NCP

Iowa State University distinguished professor and historian Pamela Riney-Kehrberg talks through the history of food assistance in the United States. Over the years, different administrations have reshaped the original Food Stamps model into the SNAP system we know today.

There’s just nothing like Iowa ... shrimp. Midland Co. founder Jackson Kimle in Ames explains how he plans to turn Iowa’s new shrimp farms into a jumbo business.

Through a program called Global Greens, Lutheran Services of Iowa helps hundreds of immigrants and refugees produce and sell many of the kinds of fruits and vegetables they enjoyed in their homelands. In this episode, a truly global farming team explains how the program just keeps growing.