Iowa Workforce Development Annual Report Fiscal Year 2013

The past fiscal year brought some improvements in the Iowa economy that should position the state for stronger hiring in the year ahead. The housing market is on solid footing, and hiring is broader in scope, including a number of the service-providing industries that had been on hold for some time. State and local government fiscal conditions have also stabilized due to a rise in tax revenues. This means that government cutbacks will be less of a drag on overall job growth. During FY 2013, Iowa’s non-farm jobs advanced by 19,200 (+1.3 percent) compared to 23,000 (+1.6 percent) for the prior fiscal year. Although manufacturing continued to post the largest over the year job gain at close to 5,600, job growth shifted away from manufacturing to the service providing industries by mid-year. Annual job gains of 2,000 or more were reflected in professional and business services, education and health, leisure and hospitality, retail trade and financial activities. Statewide non-farm employment averaged 1,517,700 in FY 2013, the highest level achieved since the record of 1,524,800 in FY 2008.

Iowa Workforce Development Annual Report FY 2014

Iowa Workforce Development contributes to the economic security of Iowa’s workers, businesses and communities through a comprehensive statewide system of employment services, education and regulation of health, safety and employment laws.

Economic Returns & Career Transitions for Iowa Community College Students, May 2010

The Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development partnered to combine educational and workforce data. The collaboration led to the establishment of the Training and Employment Outcomes System (TEOS) which combines wage data with education records for community colleges. This report summarizes results on four areas: Descriptive wage summaries; the returns to education; transitions for program majors to the workforce; and the five-years in-state retention rate of community college graduates.

Transportation and Iowa's Economic Future, 1993

This is a study of how transportation policy can be fashioned to improve Iowa's long-term economic prospects. The research focuses on the state level and covers pricing, resource allocation, investment, and other issues that directly affect the performance of public facilities that support transportation of goods and people to and from points in Iowa. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 begins with an assessment of how Iowa's economy is changing, both functionally and spatially. Commuting patterns and methods of goods movement are then discussed. The purpose of this analysis is to provide a context for the exploration of transportation policy issues in subsequent chapters. In Chapter 3 a framework is established for evaluating changes in transportation policies. A working definition of economic development is given and the role of government policies in making an area more attractive to economic activity is considered. Chapter 4 analyzes public policy options for Iowa's roads and highways. These policy options are intended to help the state compete for economic activity. Chapter 5 assesses alternative investment strategies for major navigational facilities on the upper Mississippi River. Chapter 6 examines major transportation policy issues in Iowa's agricultural sector. The current magnitude of agricultural shipments and the roles of several modes are presented. After focusing on issues related to railroad competitiveness, the analysis turns to how Iowa's rural roads should be financed. The need for joint investment and pricing decisions affecting waterways, railroads, and rural roads is stressed. Chapter 7 examines the current status of freight transportation in Iowa. An assessment is made of issues related to trucking and of intermodal transportation and its potential for cost-effective shipping to and from businesses in Iowa. Chapter 8 summarizes the key findings of this study, offering ten recommendations. These recommendations relate to transportation as a means of facilitating economic development.

The State of Iowa Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development: Annual Action Plan, 2016

The state of Iowa must submit to HUD a Consolidated Plan and an Annual Action Plan. The Consolidated Plan is a 5-year plan to address housing and community development needs. The 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan was submitted to HUD in 2015 and outlines the state of Iowa’s goals for the 5-year period. The state’s Consolidated Plan includes goals and proposed activities under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs.

Analysis and Forecast of Housing Needs in Iowa Technical Report, January 22, 2013

The research and analysis summarized in this report prepared by Gruen Gruen + Associates (“GG+A”) provides an information base about population, household, housing, and employment conditions and trends affecting the current and future housing needs of Iowans. It also provides a synthesis of how the housing needs of Iowans have changed over the past decade and how needs are likely to continue to change over the present decade (2010-2020), given forecast employment and population growth in Iowa.

2012 Iowa Housing Study: Executive Summary, January 22, 2013

The 2012 Iowa Housing Study was undertaken by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to better understand the housing needs of Iowans. The study combined rigorous quantitative research using 2010 U.S. Census and other data sources with an extensive public participation process contributing qualitative input. The quantitative research component provides an analysis of population, household, housing, and employment conditions and trends affecting the current and future housing needs of Iowans.