Center for Industrial Research and Service • Iowa State University

CIRAS Strategic Advisor named one of Corridor Business Journal’s 250 Most Influential Business Leaders

January 20, 2023 • gmallen

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

January 9, 2023 • gmallen

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

January 9, 2023 • gmallen

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

January 5, 2023 • gmallen

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

January 5, 2023 • gmallen

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

Watching Iowa’s Economy: January 2023

January 4, 2023 • mcgraw

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 second consecutive month. Most measures indicate a general slowing; however, employment grew in December. Mid-American Index Midwest manufacturing … Continue reading Watching Iowa’s Economy: January 2023

Wrapping Up 2022 and Preparing for 2023

December 12, 2022 • mcgraw

As we wrap up 2022, our team wanted to take the opportunity to provide Iowa businesses doing business in the government sector with updates and considerations. Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has a new registration site. The new state of Iowa DAS electronic bidding system, the Iowa Management of Procurement and Contracts Systems (IMPACS), … Continue reading Wrapping Up 2022 and Preparing for 2023

Watching Iowa’s Economy – December

December 7, 2022 • gmallen

Watching Iowa’s Economy: December 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 last month, the first reported contraction since May 2020. Inventories and production grew last month. Mid-American … Continue reading Watching Iowa’s Economy – December

Q&A with Retiring CIRAS Director Ron Cox

December 5, 2022 • mcgraw

CIRAS Director Ron Cox is retiring after more than 25 years at CIRAS. We sat down with him to discuss what he has seen develop over the past quarter of a century and where he thinks things might be headed. Q: How did you get your start at CIRAS? A: I was returning to … Continue reading Q&A with Retiring CIRAS Director Ron Cox

7th Annual CIRAS Holiday Gift List

December 2, 2022 • gmallen

In need of some last-minute gift ideas? We’ve compiled a short list of Iowa-manufactured products that make great gifts! Upgrade their truck with accessories from Putco or their semi from Iowa Customs Help kids discover physics while having fun with race tracks using Blu Track Gift some of Tiefenthaler’s skinless brats! Give your favorite athlete … Continue reading 7th Annual CIRAS Holiday Gift List