IBC recommends economic actions

/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BR_web_311x311.jpeg

The Iowa Business Council released its competitive dashboard today, and called for a series of actions to improve the Iowa economy.

The analysis of local and national data showed the state’s performance average in these categories: economic growth, education and workforce, governance, and health and wellness. The state ranked poorly in demographics and diversity. All those rankings were in line with past reports. 

To improve things, IBC recommends: 

 Economic growth: Develop new strategies to train workers on new skills and to attract new workers to the state to address a labor shortage. Continue implementation of Future Ready Iowa. Increase investment in the Housing Trust Fund and Workforce Housing Tax Credit to make housing more affordable.

— Education and workforce: “It is essential that we increase the number of work-based learning partnerships, internships, externships and apprenticeships,” the report said. In addition to expanding the Future Ready Iowa program, with money for student scholarships and the Employer Innovation Fund, IBC wants to continue its work with the Business Education Alliance to work to find new ways to train workers. 

— Governance: Continue to change the tax code to make Iowa more competitive.

— Health and wellness: Encourage employers to promote healthy lifestyles. Improve access to primary care physicians. 

— Demographics and diversity: Convene with IBC’s help a public-private group to research ways to attract and retain talent, including workers from other countries. Modernize the immigration system.

The Iowa Business Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that includes chief decision-makers of 23 major Iowa employers.