DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its second-quarter Economic Outlook Survey (EOS) for 2023. The report measures member expectations for sales, capital spending and employment for the next six months. If the index measures above 50, sentiment is positive. The second-quarter survey’s overall economic outlook index is 64.17, an increase of 4.45 from the 2023 first-quarter report. The survey’s findings indicate a strong confidence in Iowa’s economy and represent a significant increase in optimism across all areas measured by the IBC compared to the previous quarter’s results. Specifically, sales expectations among IBC members increased by 3.47 to a value of 68.75. Capital spending expectations increased by 4.31 to 61.25 and employment expectations increased by 5.56 to a value of 62.50.

Concerns relating to workforce attraction and retention remain the number one concern with 90% of surveyed IBC executives listing it as a primary business challenge. An unfavorable business climate tied specifically to supply chain challenges was the second primary concern cited by 55% of IBC executives. The cost of products and services continues to round out the top three business challenges with 50% of IBC members reporting inflation as a core concern.

From a workforce perspective, 80% of IBC executives surveyed report that it is somewhat to very difficult to hire employees compared to 94% from the first-quarter survey. Phil Jasper, President of Mission Systems for Collins Aerospace and Chair of the Iowa Business Council, said “IBC members remain confident in Iowa’s economic position. Despite a narrative of an impending downturn in the national economy, Iowa business leaders are optimistic about the future here in Iowa.” IBC President Joe Murphy said “These results show a continued resiliency among IBC companies and the state of Iowa as a whole. Iowa business leaders remain agile and skilled in their ability to plan for potential future disruptions while continuing to put forward pro-growth strategies throughout our state.”

The Economic Outlook Survey has been completed by IBC members on a quarterly basis since 2004. The report provides insight regarding the projected trends for the state of Iowa, which can be used for business and economic planning. The reported trends have a state-wide impact, especially when considering that IBC companies have a presence in all 99 counties

(WASHINGTON, D-C June 28, 2023) – U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Des Moines, Thursday (June 29), where he is expected to announce a major investment by USDA to expand meat and poultry processing capacity in Iowa and across the country. The investment is intended to increase competition, support producer income, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.

Secretary Vilsack will also highlight other efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration to build more, new and better markets and strengthen farm and food businesses. The announcement reflects the goals of the President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild our economy from the middle-out and the bottom-up and create transformative new economic opportunities for families and businesses.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder to citizens of Atlantic: Fireworks are allowed within the City Limits from 6- until 11-p.m., from Friday (June 30) through Tuesday, July 4^th. The City Council set those dates and times during their meeting June 7^th. The City said also, citizens should be aware of that only individuals 18 and older may purchase fireworks. Furthermore, persons under the age of 18 may only set-off fireworks under the DIRECT SUPERVISION of an Adult. Other rules include:

• It is illegal to set-off fireworks if you are intoxicated or impaired.
• Only shoot fireworks on your OWN property, or where permission has been given.
• NO Fireworks may be discharged within 300-feet of public school buildings, Assisted Living Facilities, or Hospital.
• You are liable for fireworks in your possession and those discharged by you.
• Do not alter, remove or handle powder from fireworks. Never disassemble fireworks
• Use fireworks according to directions, and NEVER point them at humans or animals.

Violating fireworks laws will result in costly fines, starting at $250.

The 2023 City-sponsored fireworks display contract was awarded to last year’s vendor, “Wild Wayne’s.” The company will fire-off their display at dusk/dark on July 4^th, at the Well Fields next to the Atlantic Sports Complex, across from the KJAN Studios.

In addition, on the 4^th of July, the Atlantic Rotary will hold their Flight Breakfast at the Atlantic Airport. The menu features all you can eat pancakes by The Pancake Man, sausage and drinks, for just $8. Fly-In Pilots eat for free! Proceeds support Atlantic Rotary Service Projects. The Flight breakfast takes place from 7-until 11-a.m., Tuesday.

The City of Atlantic’s Police, Fire and EMS personnel want you to have fun, and celebrate the Independence holiday responsibly and safely.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested Tuesday night on a Montgomery County warrant. 18-year-old Kaiden Dale Jarvis Schooling, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 900 block of N. 6th Street, at around 9:07-p.m. He was wanted on a warrant for Failure to Appear (in Court). Schooling was also charged with Disorderly Conduct (A simple misdemeanor). He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

CLIVE, Iowa — Iowa’s newest $2 million Powerball^® winner plans to use part of her winnings to finish the home she and her husband are building years after they lost a house in a tornado. But now their new home will have some upgrades.

That’s Tammy Gordy of Ottumwa, who claimed her prize Monday afternoon at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive. The 56-year-old is a dietary aide at a local hospital. She and her husband, Steve, lived in Agency in April 2001 when the Wapello County community was heavily damaged by a tornado. The Gordys’ home was destroyed in the storm.

Tammy Gordy (Photo courtesy of the Iowa Lottery)

Gordy bought her winning ticket at a Hy-Vee store in Ottumwa. Hy-Vee will receive a $2,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery for selling the $2 million ticket.

(Radio Iowa) – Dozens of Iowa churches are ending their affiliation with the United Methodist Church after a rift developed over Biblical teachings. During a conference last month, the leaders of more than 80 Iowa churches decided to leave the denomination. Pastor Phil Rogers, of Manchester United Methodist Church, says they’re parting ways for several reasons, which includes performing same-sex weddings and ordaining L-G-B-T-Q ministers. Pastor Rogers says sexuality is the one that “gets the most press, but the reality is much deeper than that.”

Starting this weekend, the church in northeast Iowa will operate under a new name, Manchester Global Methodist Church, a new church that is coming out of the conflict. Rogers says those who attend his church won’t notice anything drastic, just a new name.

(Radio Iowa) – Forest City Police says they are following up on a report from two people who saw what they believed was a mountain lion in the northwest corner of the Hy-Vee parking lot Saturday around 3 a-m. Officers from the Forest City Police Department, D-N-R, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department were unable to locate a lion. Winnebago County Naturalist Lisa Ralls, says mountain lions are rare in the area — and those that are confirmed can usually be traced back to the Black Hills of South Dakota or out of the Ozarks
Forest City Police say they are continuing to investigate the report looking for confirmation.

(Radio Iowa) – Managers of the Knoxville Raceway are getting five more years to accumulate a state tax break of up to one-point-eight MILLION dollars to finance facility improvements. Iowa lawmakers originally approved a sales tax rebate nearly a decade ago, letting the track keep state sales taxes charged on services and goods sold at the track. Senator Julian Garrett of Indianola, who represents Knoxville, says the rebate was set to end in 2025.

“We all know what happened. COVID came along and that really disrupted things,” Garrett says. “Some of their big races they were not able to have and the ones they did have had very limited attendance, so they’re way behind in what they would have normally had in the amount of money collected from these rebates.” A state law that goes into effect Saturday extends the state sales tax rebate for the Knoxville track until 2030.

“In a way, you could say it’s not really changing anything,” Garrett says. “It’s just giving them a little more time to collect the money they would have been able to collect by 2025 had it not been for COVID and some of these other things.” One of them was a dispute with the Iowa Department of Revneue. It prevented the track from claiming the sales tax rebate for a couple of years. Knoxville’s population of about 75-hundred will swell to more than 30-thousand during each of the four days of racing for the Knoxville Nationals in August.

Senator Bill Dotzler says the races attract sprint car racing fans from around the world. “These are cultural events. They mean something,” Dotzler says. “People in Iowa love racing.” Weekly stock car racing began in 1954 on the Marion County Fairgrounds, but a few years later lighter weight sprint cars began racing on the track. The first Knoxville Nationals were held in 1961.

(Scranton, Iowa) – A multi-vehicle chain reaction crash Monday evening in Greene County claimed the life of a woman from Carroll. The Iowa State Patrol, Tuesday, reported that a front seat passenger in one of the vehicles, 84-year-old Mary Ann Haberl, of Carroll, died in the crash. The drivers of two of the vehicles were injured.

The Patrol says the accident happened at around 5:34-p.m. on Highway 30 near Forest Avenue, northeast of Scranton. Vehicles driven by 88-year-old Donald Clayton Haberl, of Carroll, 17-year-old Harley Marie Smith, of Jefferson, and 63-year-old Becky Jo Wolf, of Scranton, were stopped on the highway due to road construction.

A 2003 Toyota Prius driven by 30-year-old Amy Marie Yager, of Coon Rapids, collided with the rear of Haberl’s 2019 Chevy Equinox, which then proceeded to hit the rear of a 2007 Ford Focus, driven by Smith. The impact pushed the Ford into rear of the 2018 Ford Explorer driven by Wolf.

Amy Yager and Donald Haberl was transported to the Greene County Medical Center by Greene County EMS. Each of the crash victims were wearing their seat belts. The accident remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Office.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office said Tuesday evening, that “Out of deepest respect, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors would like to announce that some courthouse departments and other county department locations may be closed for the funeral of the late Montgomery County Sheriff, Joe Sampson on Thursday, June 29^th.

Joe Sampson died Sunday, June 25th, at the age of 67. His funeral services take place 10-a.m. Thursday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Red Oak. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak is in charge of arrangements.

Sampson served as sheriff in Montgomery County from 2009 until his retirement in December, 2020.  A native of Elliott, Joe Sampson began his law enforcement career serving as a military police officer in the U-S Army during the Vietnam War. He then joined the Griswold Police Department in 1977, and served as an officer before becoming chief. Sampson joined the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in September, 1992, and worked as a road deputy, civil process deputy, jail administrator and first deputy until becoming sheriff.

Sampson’s successor as sheriff, Jon Spunaugle, worked with Sampson for 22 years, including 12 years as his chief deputy.