A national report finds that 82% of Iowa small businesses increased their use of digital tools during the pandemic, compared with 72% of small businesses nationally, the Connected Commerce Council announced in “Digitally Driven” this week. The report examined the use of “digital safety net” no- or low-cost tools in small businesses, and how businesses have adapted to new digital tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Iowa businesses reported three key challenges in adopting digital tools: 63% cited information and skills gaps, 52% cited cost, and 33% cited uncertainty about return on investment in tools, according to the report. The full report is available online.