Iowa Business Council survey shows highest level of optimism since 2018

An Iowa Business Council survey of leaders from 22 of Iowa’s largest employers released this week showed the highest level of optimism for the next six months since 2018.

IBC’s quarterly economic index, which is based on the survey results, was 67.08, the highest since the second quarter of 2018.

Anything above 50 is considered overall positive economic sentiment.

It’s the fourth consecutive quarterly survey with an index considered positive.

“This survey illustrates that demand for Iowa goods and services have rebounded quickly,” Tim Yaggi, IBC chairman and president and CEO of Pella Corp., said in a news release.

About 90 percent of respondents said “attracting and developing a talented and diverse workforce” is among their top three challenges, though.

“As businesses across the state return to pre-pandemic outputs, leaders are understandably concerned about talent pipeline and supply-chain issues,” Yaggi said.

Joe Murphy, IBC’s executive director, reiterated the need for federal immigration changes as a solution to the workforce shortage.

“Iowa’s workforce shortage has never been more acute,” Murphy said in the release. “That is why IBC supports immigration reform that modernizes the system and expands visas in an effort to increase our population and business growth.”

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