(Radio Iowa) – A survey of several hundred Iowa businesses finds an overwhelming majority of them are in good shape compared to a year ago, despite record inflation, the rising cost of living, and ongoing supply chain challenges. Jim Plagge, president and C-E-O of Bank Iowa, says this is the institution’s second annual statewide survey of businesses and he’s encouraged by the results.

Plagge says more than 40-percent saw an increase in business, while another 40-percent stayed steady, so, better than eight in ten businesses are steady to improved. About 80-percent of Iowa businesses report open jobs with difficulty finding qualified workers, though some report an improvement in the quality of applicants.