Iowa Business Report

Prosperity may be hard to define, but one London-based think tank has developed metrics to compare prosperity levels worldwide. Shaun Flanagan of the Legatum Institute talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report on April 29, 2020 about the U.S. Prosperity Index and how Iowa ranks in various categories, and compared with other states.    

The initial infusion of PPP funds via the CARES Act quickly ran out and placed a strain not only on small businesses, but their bankers. John Sorensen of the Iowa Bankers Association talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on April 16, 2020 about the situation, and the efforts Iowa's bankers have undertaken generally to assist individuals and businesses.   

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

The CARES Act provided money for small businesses, but the fund quickly ran out of resources. Iowa Bankers Association president and CEO John Sorensen discusses the work of the state's bankers in helping small businesses in a variety of aspects.

Normally cluttered family calendars are now empty; more major events were cancelled this past week due to COVID-19.

In this week's "Business Profile", we meet Scott Hoffmann, CEO of Win Technology, one of the companies whose business has been booming during the coronavirus.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss is the foremost authority on the Midwest economy; we hear his insight on what it will take to get the economy to recover post-pandemic.

The CARES Act provided money for small businesses, but the fund quickly ran out of resources.

In this week's "Business Profile", we meet Josh Scheinblum of Cedar Rapids, who founded a communications company, 5 Seasons Media, just as many businesses were being forced to shut down due to COVID-19.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss is the foremost authority on the Midwest's economy and oversees two monthly surveys on the topic. Goss talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on April 15, 2020 about the current situation, and what is necessary to help the economy recover once the health crisis is over.  

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Iowa's gaming industry is a billion-dollar business, but like so many others, it's shut down due to the pandemic. Wes Ehrecke of the Iowa Gaming Association talks about the impact of casinos on the state's economy.

The outlook was bright for agriculture as 2020 began due to trade agreements being in place, but the pandemic has presented new challenges.

Iowa's businesses and manufacturers have provided unique responses to COVID-19; Mike Ralston of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry provides examples, and shares news about how his own group had to change its summer plans.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org)

Iowa's businesses and manufacturers have taken unique approaches in response to the global pandemic. Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, provides examples and gives news about how the virus has affected his group's plans; Ralston talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on April 9, 2020. 

Two unique programs for students, sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation, provide practical experience developing skills along Iowa's talent curriculum. McKenzie Kielman of the Iowa ABIF talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about Business Horizons for high school students, and Leadership Iowa University for college students, via ZOOM on March 18, 2020. 

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

We learn about Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa University, two programs designed to help students learn about business in a practical way.

The Mid-American Business Conditions Index and Iowa Business Council quarterly economic outlook survey were both released this past week, and the impact of COVID-19 is evident.

In the Business Profile, we meet Eric Engelmann of NewBo.co, which started producing face shields for health care workers--free--using 3D printers...and started shipping in only five days from the first idea being discussed.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org)

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

We check in with past program guests to see how they are handling their businesses and events in the age of COVID-19.

Common rituals have been altered as "social distancing" is encouraged.

In the Business Profile, we meet Steve Shriver of EcoLips of Marion...and learn about a unique partnership that could only happen during the time of the coronavirus.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org)