Iowa receives an A rating in manufacturing in Ball State’s 2020 Manufacturing Scorecard

Iowa was one of five states to earn an A grade for manufacturing in Ball State University's 2020 Manufacturing Scorecard.

It marks the 12th consecutive year the report, compiled by the Muncie, Indiana-based university's Center for Business and Economic Research, has given Iowa an A.

None of the states surrounding Iowa received an A. Wisconsin earned a B rating, and Minnesota claimed a B-minus.

Ball State looks at a variety of factors, ranging from tax climate to productivity and innovation.

Iowa's best subcategories were logistics, with a B, and human capital, with a B-plus. The state did not have any subcategories with an A, though. In 2019, Iowa received an A in human capital.

The state's worker benefit costs also slipped, from a C-minus to D-plus. Iowa's only F came in tax climate.

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