Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway and a member of the workforce committee for Iowa’s Department of Governmental Oversight and Efficiency (DOGE), outlines the committee’s commitment to strengthening Iowa’s workforce and economic competitiveness. The committee is focused on preparing Iowans for the future through targeted skills-development programs, expanding employment opportunities across sectors, and implementing policies that support small and medium-sized businesses. Together, these efforts aim to ensure Iowa remains a place where businesses can grow and people can build meaningful, sustainable careers.

Cramer highlights early success stories that demonstrate the real-world impact of these initiatives and emphasizes that collaboration with Iowa’s business community is essential to continued progress. He calls on business leaders to engage with workforce programs, share feedback, and partner in shaping solutions that meet evolving industry needs. By working together, Iowa’s public and private sectors can build a stronger workforce, drive innovation, and secure a prosperous future for communities across the state.

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 Dec. 31 and Jan. 6.

What does a science center have to do with Iowa’s future workforce, manufacturing, and innovation economy? In this episode of Made in Iowa, Jolie Pelds shares how the Science Center of Iowa is far more than a destination for families—it’s a launchpad for curiosity, problem-solving, and the skills Iowa employers need next. From hands-on learning to immersive experiences, the Science Center is helping young people (and adults) see themselves as engineers, innovators, and critical thinkers.

Jolie also talks about the power of partnerships—how industry, education, and community can work together to make learning tangible, relevant, and inspiring. This conversation connects the dots between STEM education and Iowa’s long-term competitiveness, reminding us that the future workforce isn’t built overnight—it’s sparked early, nurtured intentionally, and strengthened when business and community step up together.

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 Dec. 24-30.

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, Leisa sits down with Nikki Wilcox and Sarah Allender of TrueNorth alongside Michele Presley of Servpro to unpack one of the toughest challenges facing property owners today — the rising cost of property insurance. Together, they explore why premiums continue to increase and how proactive risk management strategies can make a measurable difference. From disaster preparedness to documentation and communication, the conversation highlights how foresight and planning can turn a reactive expense into a strategic advantage.

A key takeaway from this discussion is the value of building a relationship with a trusted facilities maintenance and mitigation partner before disaster strikes. Michele shares how Servpro’s partnerships with companies like TrueNorth create smoother claims processes, prioritized response times, and reduced long-term costs. The experts agree: when crisis hits — whether from water, fire, or storm damage — having the right number in your phone and the right plan in place can make all the difference. This episode is full of actionable insights for businesses, property managers, and anyone looking to stay one step ahead of risk.

Senior director of BPC Events Strategy & Experience 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 Dec. 17-23.

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.

LifeServe Blood Center CEO Stacy Sime joins Leisa for a powerful conversation about leading one of the most mission-critical organizations in healthcare. Serving 175 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois, LifeServe operates in a world of constant uncertainty—short product shelf life, zero predictability in demand, and the highest quality standards imaginable. And unlike any other manufacturing process, their supply chain starts with a donor who chooses to show up.

Recorded after a tour of LifeServe’s state-of-the-art Johnston facility, this episode explores how Stacy and her team have embedded lean thinking, efficiency, and innovation into every corner of the organization—including bold investments in whole cell therapy manufacturing. This is a behind-the-scenes look at a forward-thinking nonprofit that is quite literally on the front lines of saving lives—and why donating locally with LifeServe makes all the difference.

There are numerous factors that affect women’s confidence, both in and out of our control. These factors shape the internal dialogue we are having as we move through the world, changing how we show up in our lives. In this episode, Melissa Vine, president of Capital Vine, and Kasey Froeschle, senior training consultant with Sedgwick and an avid runner, share with Fearless how they overcome self-doubt to live their fullest lives.

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 Dec. 10-16.

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.

The latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index shows a widening confidence gap between large and small businesses — and the divide is accelerating. Host Chris Conetzkey sits down with Principal’s Nate Schelhaas to break down why bigger companies remain relatively resilient while small and midsize firms are struggling with rising costs, tariff uncertainty, and limited pricing power. The result: Overall sentiment has dropped to one of its lowest readings in four years, driven largely by the challenges smaller firms can’t easily absorb.

In this episode:

• Why the confidence index fell so dramatically in just a year — with small businesses driving the decline.

• Why large firms can pass on higher costs while small businesses risk damaging relationships if they try.

• The national uncertainties (tariffs, inflation, rates, news cycles) weighing heavily on local confidence.

• How AI adoption is becoming a competitive divider — with big companies accelerating investment.

• What the data suggests about future staffing, wages, and the talent businesses will need to grow.

• Why rising expenses and health care costs are squeezing smaller businesses at a much sharper rate.