A new report shows the leaders of Iowa’s largest businesses are expecting a slowdown in sales, capital spending and employment in the coming six months. The Iowa Business Council (IBC) third quarter Outlook Survey Index fell to 61 – which is down from 68 three months ago. IBC executive director Elliott Smith says a score above 50 means business sentiment is positive, but the state’s top CEOs are slightly more reserved than they were in the last survey.

“There are some unknowns out there with elections coming up, some tax issues that have not been settled in Washington and the unstable government budget issues in Europe,” Smith noted. “Between all of those things, we’ve maybe seen a slight pullback and a reevaluation of how the coming six months business activity will play out.” The index is based on surveys completed by 21 CEOs of Iowa’s largest employers. Ninety-percent of the CEOs expect steady or increased sales over the next six months, while 86-percent expect hiring levels to remain steady or grow.

“Most of our business council members do expect continued good activity in sales, which really drives everything else in terms of further investment in buildings, machinery, equipment, as well as employment,” Smith said. “If sales remain strong, I think there is still good prospect here for the end of the year and the beginning of 2013.” While the IBC Outlook Survey Index fell to 61 in the third quarter, it’s still four points better than this time last year (57).

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Memorial Hospital Foundation has announced the 2012 recipients of the Louie and Elsie Hansen Memorial Scholarship:  Ben Kopp of Anita, who is attending the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and Claire Markham of Atlantic, who is attending Creighton University School of Medicine. John Molgaard, of the CCMH Foundation Board and scholarship committee said they reviewed several,  “Very qualified applicants.” Molgaard said Kopp and Markham stood out because of their outstanding academic records, and because they have demonstrated strong leadership skills.

The Louie and Elsie Hansen Memorial Scholarship was established to benefit Cass County high school graduates who are enrolled in a college of nursing or medicine, leading to an LPN, RN or MD degree.  Two $5000 scholarships are awarded each year.  Consideration is given to applicants’ scholarship, citizenship and leadership. The Louie and Elsie Hansen Scholarship was established through the generosity and careful planning of these two life-long Cass County residents.  The Hansens believed in higher education, so much so that over 70% of their estate was bequeathed for that purpose, including a gift to the CCMH Foundation.

Under the supervision and guidance of the CCMH Foundation, scholarship opportunities are provided yearly.  As per the Hansens’ wishes, scholarship candidates must have graduated from a Cass County high school and be enrolled in an accredited nursing or medical doctor school. Tom Waterbury, Debra Church, Jason Andersen and Katie Smith are among the past recipients of this award.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors held a short meeting this (Wednesday) morning, in Atlantic. During the meeting, the Board approved the hiring of an employee for the Secondary Roads Department. Cass County Engineer Charles Marker said about 50 applications were received for the Anita shed Operator II position. Out of those 50, there were two interviews conducted. At the conclusion of the interview process and background check, Jordan Groves was offered the job, and was expected to start this week.

Groves, who is from the Adair/Massena areas, will be paid $16.99 per hour, which Marker says is 50-cents below Union scale, which is in the contract. A standard probationary period of three-months, but not to exceed nine-months, applies before any wage increase is put into effect.

Marker says additional openings in the Secondary Roads Department may be forthcoming, due to a couple of possible retirements. He says also rock is being hauled-in to conduct the seal coating of a section of road near Anita. Work on 745^th Street just north of Anita to Boone Street, and east on Boone to Highway 148, is expected to begin shortly.

Long time Harlan City Councilman Orv Roecker has resigned from the Council. His resignation was approved with regret, by the Council during their meeting, on Tuesday. Councilmember Dave Miller said Roecker will be missed and provided a lot of good for the community. In his resignation letter to the city of Harlan, Roecker said, “I thank everyone for their support over the years and during my current health concerns. I have loved working for the citizens of Harlan as Council member and Mayor for over 18 years.”

Roecker was Harlan Mayor from 1982 to 1987 after being a council member from 1980 to 1981. His current term as Harlan City Councilmember began in 2002. In other business, the Harlan City Council approved the condemnation of two properties in the City limits. In a Personnel and Finance Committee meeting on August 23^rd, a motion was moved to proceed with abandoning and condemnation of the properties at 402 Broadway Street, and 1612 8^th Street, as long as the funds were available through SWIPCO’s Demolition of Nuisance Properties Grant.

The Council also approved a motion to approve Sta-Bilt Construction to perform seal coating and asphalt prime coat on Elm Street from 5^th to 6^th, 5^th Street from Elm to Farnum, 2^nd Street from Court to Exchange and 4^th from Cyclone to Broadway. Mayor Gene Gettys reported to the Harlan City Council, he met with Shelby County DevelopSource and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce directors to discuss combining organizations. He said there is much to be discussed and he is working with other Counties that have combined the organizations, before any decision will be made.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)