Here is CIRAS’s quick look at major economic indicators for Iowa. For an introduction and a description of the indicators used, see our first post. Indicator Status Underlying Data Notes ISM Manufacturing PMI® Manufacturing contracted for the fourth consecutive month. Inventories and prices continued to grow, while most other measures remained contracted moderately. Mid-American Index … Continue reading Watching Iowa’s Economy: March 2023
Author: gmallen
Employee Retention Credit: Warnings and Wisdom
Employee Retention Credit: Warnings and Wisdom By Jennifer Rohen While almost all COVID relief programs have run their course, it’s worth your time to keep an eye on the employee retention credit (ERC) — whether you’ve already claimed the benefit, are considering it, or even brushed it off thinking it didn’t apply due to limited … Continue reading Employee Retention Credit: Warnings and Wisdom
Calling all Iowa Innovators!
Announced last month, PTAC is now called APEX Accelerators, and with that comes some new and exciting goals from our federal grant funder, the Office of Small Business Programs under the DOD. One of these goals is to help traditionally disadvantaged businesses (8(a), Woman-Owned, HubZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and more) register and sell to the Federal … Continue reading Calling all Iowa Innovators!
Why Goal Setting Matters to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Companies
YOUR VOICE MATTERS Niki Rainey, Civil Rights Bureau Director, encourages Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) companies to “have your voice heard at the table” of each monthly DBE goal-setting meeting. WHY does it matter to a DBE? Every month, the Civil Rights Bureau hosts a virtual goal-setting meeting to set the DBE subcontracting goals for the … Continue reading Why Goal Setting Matters to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Companies
Watching Iowa’s Economy: February 2023
Here is CIRAS’s quick look at major economic indicators for Iowa. For an introduction and a description of the indicators used, see our first post. Indicator Status Underlying Data Notes ISM Manufacturing PMI® Manufacturing contracted for the third consecutive month. Most measures continue to indicate moderate general slowing in manufacturing, except employment and inventories, which … Continue reading Watching Iowa’s Economy: February 2023
CIRAS Strategic Advisor named one of Corridor Business Journal’s 250 Most Influential Business Leaders
Rachel Hahn, CIRAS Strategic Advisor, is named one of Corridor Business Journal’s 250 Most Influential Business Leaders. This annual publication is an exhaustive year-long research initiative by the newsroom of the Corridor Business Journal, delivering a personal, engaging look at the region’s most influential business leaders across major industries. From the publication: Illinois native Rachel … Continue reading CIRAS Strategic Advisor named one of Corridor Business Journal’s 250 Most Influential Business Leaders
Staff Update: Meet Ty Hill
Ty Hill has joined CIRAS as a Project Manager on the Industry 4.0 team. Ty received his Master of Engineering (Systems Engineering) from Iowa State University. He has over 20 years of engineering experience across numerous manufacturing processes, including automation, process improvement, quality, and safety. In this role, Ty will help companies make significant impacts … Continue reading Staff Update: Meet Ty Hill
Staff Update: Meet Pamela Lane
Pamela Lane joined CIRAS as a Project Manager on the workforce team. Pam is a certified Human Resources professional with a Bachelor of Science degree in management communications & human resources. Her experience includes HR leadership positions in manufacturing, specializing in strategy, recruitment, and employee relations. Pam’s role will include supporting Iowa businesses with workforce-related … Continue reading Staff Update: Meet Pamela Lane
APEX Accelerator: A New Name for PTACs
The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), formerly managed by the Defense Logistics Agency, changed hands on October 1, 2022, and is now under the direction of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). The PTAP program was authorized by Congress in 1985 to expand the number of businesses capable of participating … Continue reading APEX Accelerator: A New Name for PTACs
Interim Director Named for CIRAS
Interim Director Named for the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University AMES, IA— Assistant Director and Operations Manager Leah Barton has been appointed interim director for the Center of Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS). Following 25 years as CIRAS director, Ron Cox will step down from that role and join the … Continue reading Interim Director Named for CIRAS