Happy Friday. Today we have some bright-ish economic news, a shout out to tech pioneers in the flyover states. All this and a teensy bit more. Here’s where you find it:
Month: February 2016

Technology Assistance Program: A new Name in CIRAS Problem Solving
It might be a step too far to call Sears Manufacturing’s problem a pain in the backside. But the evasive and mysterious cause behind an ongoing problem with a purchased component used in the company’s vehicle seat suspension certainly proved annoying—until Sears called upon members of CIRAS’ Technology Assistance Program (TAP). The result? An in-depth analysis of cracked air compressors that early this year will lead to a design change on the pneumatically controlled seats that Sears, a 160-year-old Davenport firm, makes for construction and agriculture equipment around the country.
CIRAS DIGEST: Friday, February 19, 2016
Happy Friday. Today we have both some bona fide Iowa economic development news and a lot of prognostication based on numbers and such. Here’s where you can sort it out:
CIRAS DIGEST: Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Happy Wednesday. Today’s Digest features plenty of CIRAS news, as well as some gloomy economics and some potential job opportunities. Here’s where you find it all:

CIRAS Officially Cuts the Ribbon on its new Metal 3-D Printer
The future of manufacturing officially opened for business last week (at least symbolically) when Iowa State University College of Engineering Dean Sarah Rajala used a set of 3-D-printed scissors to cut the ribbon on CIRAS’ new metal laser sintering machine.
CIRAS Digest: Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Happy Wednesday. There are two main takeaways from today’s Digest – Manufacturing employment is up, and we have the (decent) economy to blame for the current political sideshows. Here where you can read about it:
CIRAS DIGEST: Friday, February 5, 2016
Happy Friday. Today's Digest is the only place on the Internet today (we're guessing) where you can find one page dealing with Donald Trump, farmland prices, Chinese manufacturing and refrigerators who talk to the rest of your appliances. Here’s where you can find the details:
CIRAS Digest: Monday, February 1, 2016
Happy Monday. Today's Digest installment includes one final round of Iowa analysis from the caucus media hordes, plus a few interesting tidbits and some general crystal ball gazing. Here's where you can find it, while you worry about the snow: