Members of the Iowa Business Council say they’re optimistic about the state’s economy for the second half of this year. The I-B-C is a non-profit organization made up of the top executives in the 20 largest businesses in the state. Executive director Elliot Smith says it’s the second consecutive quarter that members expect no decreases in sales, capital investments and hiring.
Smith says the companies are envisioning a very healthy second half of the year and if that persists, it’ll be a very good year. The economic outlook survey says all indicators are projected to stay the same or improve from the last quarters.
Smith says the survey shows 95-percent of their corporate members expect an increase in sales during the third and fourth quarters of this year. Smith says that’s good news for employees, suppliers and everyone. Smith says 58-percent of the I-B-C’s corporate members anticipate a jump in employment levels over the next six months. Fifty-eight percent also expect an increase in capital spending. The survey was taken in the third and fourth weeks in May.