The leaders of some of Iowa’s largest businesses are all expecting to increase or at least maintain sales volumes in the early part of 2008. That’s according to a survey of 19 corporate members of the Iowa Business Council. IBC Executive Director Elliot Smith says nearly two-thirds of the members anticipate higher sales over the next six months.
Smith says a majority of IBC members also expect to increase capital spending, "You like to see that. That foretells a positive outlooks by these CEOs." The positive outlook also comes at a time when the business climate is slowing down in other parts of the country.
Smith credits Iowa’s diverse economy. "We’re not necessarily all concentrated in one particular industry area," Smith says, "and I think that helps maintain a certain level of consistency and results for the business community…when one area is down, another may be up a little bit." The IBC’s survey indicates that 53% of the CEOs anticipate no change in employment numbers over the next six months, while 42% expect to increase their workforce. The survey is available on-line at the IBC’S website .