Iowa's largest manufacturing employer is reporting a stellar first quarter of the fiscal year. Deere and Company reports net income for the first quarter of $1.9 billion, that's up just over a billion from the first quarter a year ago. Quad Cities-based Deere also reports worldwide revenues rose … [Read more...]
Renewable fuels industry report: state could lose ethanol plants without carbon dioxide pipelines
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has released an economic study that says using carbon dioxide pipelines at ethanol plants will increase profits and keep most of the industry from leaving the state. Dave Miller of Decision Innovation Solutions wrote the report which says taking advantage of … [Read more...]
Nominations sought for annual ‘best burger’ contest
The annual contest is now underway to find the best hamburger in the state. Iowa Beef Industry Council spokesperson, Kylie Peterson, says the criteria for the 2023 contestants remains the same. "A 100% real beef patty served on a bun or bread product from a restaurant here in the state of Iowa," … [Read more...]
Students learn about high demand jobs at Northeast Iowa Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College held its first-ever High Demand Skilled Trades Event for high school students Wednesday in Edgewood. Gena Gesing is the school's manager of Career and Work-Based Learning. "We're trying to figure out really how to get students into careers that interests them and … [Read more...]
Creighton business survey sees January hit lowest level in 15 years
The latest economic survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states shows the business barometer falling to its worst January level in 15 years. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the monthly report ranks the region's economy on a zero-to-100 scale and he says … [Read more...]
Iowa company plans to recycle wind turbine blades using giant chipper
A new eastern Iowa business will soon start recycling wind turbine blades to prevent the massive fiberglass, wood and foam blades from taking up large amounts of landfill space. Jeff Woods, director of business development at Travero, says the blades have to be handled very carefully when they're … [Read more...]
Union strikes in Burlington, Cedar Rapids settled
Two long-running strikes at eastern Iowa factories ended over the weekend. Some 1,100 UAW workers at Case New Holland plants in Burlington and Racine, Wisconsin ratified a new contract on Saturday, ending a strike against the ag equipment maker that started last May. On Sunday, nearly 120 … [Read more...]
December unemployment rate unchanged
The state unemployment rate held steady at 3.1% in December. Iowa Workforce Development director, Beth Townsend, says there were some positive signs as the year wrapped up. "Iowa employers added 2,400 jobs in December -- we've had 10, out of 12 months of job growth, over 2022. That's a good … [Read more...]
Union reaches tentative deal with Ingredion in Cedar Rapids
Nearly 120 unionized workers at the Ingredion grain processing plant in Cedar Rapids have reached a tentative agreement with the company. The workers have been on strike since August first. Mike Moore, president of Local 100-G of the Baking, Confectionery, Tobacco, and Grain Milling Union, … [Read more...]
Iowa Chamber Alliance explores why people live here
A so-called Talent Poll that was done by a coalition of the state's 15 largest chambers of commerce aims to find out what people who live in Iowa love about the state, and equally as crucial, what might make them want to move away. Dustin Miller, executive director of the Iowa Chamber Alliance, … [Read more...]