Iowa Business Report

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

The U.S. Small Business Administration has a series of grants and loans available to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Many are finding themselves working from home for the first time; we have tips on how to be more productive in that setting.

Iowa Association of Business and Industry members were already concerned about the impact of COVID-19 when the second quarter member survey was conducted earlier this month.

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)

The U.S. Small Business Administration is ready to assist Iowans affected by COVID-19, now that the state has been qualified by SBA for disaster assistance. Iowa SBA district director Jayne Armstrong talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report about the situation via ZOOM on March 19, 2020.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry surveys its members each quarter about anticipated sales, hiring levels, and issues facing business. The results of the survey for the second quarter of 2020, and the impact of COVID-19 on Iowa's businesses, are the topics for this conversation between Iowa ABI president Mike Ralston and Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report. The conversation took place via ZOOM on March 18, 2020.

The Iowa Rural Development Council hosts the Iowa Rural Summit; the fourth event was scheduled to be held in late April, but has now been moved to mid-August as a result of the global pandemic. IRDC executive director Bill Menner discussed his group and the impact of previous Iowa Rural Summit events with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on March 11, 2020.

The Iowa Secretary of State's office is responsible for business recordings and filings. Increasingly, those have been available electronically. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate spoke with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report in the Secretary's office in the state capitol in downtown Des Moines on January 11, 2020.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

The fourth Iowa Rural Summit will be held in Cedar Rapids later this spring. Bill Menner of the Iowa Rural Development Council discusses the impact of the event on Iowa's communities.

According to a new survey, Iowa is one of the happiest states in the country, which means we have more productive workers.

In the Business Profile segment, find out why coaching is different from training...and why coaching works in business as it does in athletics.

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:

Learn about the Waterloo Career Center and why the unique school/business partnership has not only better prepared students for the workforce, but dramatically improved graduation rates, as well.

Information about what poor child care options cost the Iowa economy each year...and signs that COVID-19 may be affecting the Midwest business outlook.

In the Business Profile segment, hear from a business owner whose job is to help CEOs get "unstuck".

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

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Gov. Kim Reynolds explains why "Future Ready Iowa" was one of her key priorities, and how the program has grown in a short time.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst tells why she believes upcoming trade agreements between the U.S. and the European Union and United Kingdom will help Iowa manufacturing and agribusiness.

In the Business Profile segment, we learn about what it takes to compete when your business is a sports team.

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

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Adjusting Iowa's tax structure is a major topic before the Iowa legislature. A variety of options are possible, as Walt Rogers of the Tax Education Foundation of Iowa explains.

USDA Rural Development in Iowa has $4 million available to help communities and businesses meet their needs.

In the Business Profile segment, we learn about changes in farm sales and management from a 40-year veteran of the business.

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

For more than 35 years, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation has been dedicated to developing Iowa's workforce and leaders through statewide educational programs--Business Horizons for high school students, Leadership Iowa University for college students, and Leadership Iowa for professionals. Jessi McQuerrey is director of programs for the Iowa ABIF; she spoke with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report in the ABI offices in downtown Des Moines on December 11, 2019.