(Radio Iowa) – As we head into the final two months of 2024, typically the busiest months of the year for many retailers, a survey of business leaders in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states points to a looming economic downturn. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the Business Conditions Index grades the region’s economy on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. It’s risen slightly from around 48 in September to 51 in October, just barely into growth territory.

“The overall reading, and that’s true for the national number and that’s true for our regional number, vacillating up and down, below and above growth neutral,” Goss says. “That’s the fifth time this year, and of course, that’s 10 months, the fifth time this year the index has been above growth neutral. Of course, that means five times -below- growth neutral as well.” Goss says supply managers remain pessimistic about the economic outlook, with many expecting a recession, or a sharp dropoff in the next six months. He says the region’s employment index slumped below growth neutral for the 10th straight month in October.

“The U.S. manufacturing sector has lost 43,000 jobs this year alone, that’s three-tenths of one-percent, five out of the last nine months we’ve lost jobs, the U.S. has lost jobs,” Goss says. “The region is down 3,700 jobs, which is also identically three-tenths of one-percent. We lost jobs for four of the last five months.”  The Creighton survey found four in ten Midwestern supply managers named supply chain disruptions as the top challenge to their firm over the next year, and Goss says interest rates are a key factor.

Ernie Goss (Creighton University photo)

“Long-term interest rates are rising, even though the Federal Reserve is cutting rates, they’re cutting short-term rates at the same time long-term rates are going up,” Goss says. “I expect those long-term rates to continue to move higher, and we’re going to see mortgage rates approach 7% and of course, that’s going to put a little dent in housing and we’ll see that in housing sales, home sales.”

Iowa’s overall number fell from around 43 in September to 48 in October, still below growth neutral and still “weak,” according to Goss.

The latest U.S. International Trade Administration data finds Iowa’s manufacturing sector saw a drop in 2024 year-to-date exports of 954-million dollars from the same period in 2023, a drop of more than eight-percent.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is underway during the month of November. The contest was created by Eleanor Hoover in 2002. Jackie Sampson and Karen Miller took over the reins in 2019 following Hoover’s passing. Over the last 22 years, the contest has generated substantial monetary and canned good donations for the Atlantic Food Pantry. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “Every year, I ask myself how the community can one up themselves and, every year, I’m always impressed that they manage to do just that. Last year, our contestants had a record year, raising $29,723 and 1876 food items. This benefits a growing number of individuals and families in our community.”

“Our food pantry continues to see an increase of individuals and families in need of food assistance. We have such a great group of candidates this year and I’m grateful to Jackie and Karen for volunteering a lot of their time to make this contest happen. I have no doubt this will be another successful year for the pantry and our community,” Smith said.

The Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2024 candidates include: Randy & Michelle Roy, Randy’s Computer, Graydon Schmidt, Schmidt Family Funeral Homes, Jeremiah Thompson, Landus & Atlantic Fire Department, and Ben Winford, New Life Church. The contest will run from November 1st to November 26th at noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 7th at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth 5 points on the dollar and one non-perishable item earns the contestants one point.

Left to right: Graydon Schmidt, Randy & Michelle Roy, Jeremiah Thompsen, and Ben Winford.

The Atlantic Food Pantry is asking for a specific list of food items, with a focus on monetary donations to help purchase other food items that are needed, including meat and refrigerated items. The list of needed food items includes:

Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup
Tomato/Chicken Noodle Soup
Ramen Noodles
Hamburger Helper
Canned Beef Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s
Instant Sides (Packages) – Pasta, Sauce or Potato
Boxed Cereal
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Saltine Crackers
Canned Fruit
Canned Tuna/Chicken
Macaroni & Cheese
Canned Vegetables
18 oz. Creamy Peanut Butter
Quick Oats (no milk needed)
Pancake/Waffle Mix (no milk needed)
Pancake/Waffle Syrup
Boxed Noodles
Pasta Sauce
Chili Beans
Diced Tomatoes
Canned Manwich or Sloppy Joe

Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop-off locations. For more information, please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The contest will run November 1st – November 26th. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017, Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018, Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson 2019, Brain Ruge 2020, Ray Paulin 2021, Dr. Matt Weresh, 2022, and Sheryl Dusenberry 2023.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Four organizations have formed a an advocacy group calling for reform in the way utility companies set rate increases. The entities that make up the group are Iowa Business Energy Coalition, Iowa Economic Alliance, Iowa Business for Clean Energy, and Large Energy Group. Although the coalition doesn’t have a group name. The group cited Alliant Energy’s most recent rate increase as a concern for both residents and businesses. Alliant’s increase was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission back in Sept. In a news release, the group called Alliant a monopoly.

According to the U-S Energy Information Administration, Alliant had the highest electric rates in all of Iowa in 2023. And Iowa’s average rate was higher than 37 other states.

The advocate group said the cost of electricity is making it harder to operate a business in Iowa. It said the larger companies in Cedar Rapids like Quaker Oats and the hospitals already have expensive electric bills every month and the increase has added to that. The business group also suggested changing how Iowa utilities can charge customers for future projects. Right now, electric companies can charge customers before they start a new project. Ultimately, the group said it is pushing for legislation changes that would allow the Iowa Utilities Commission to regulate the way utility companies increase their rates, serving as a check of sorts.

Alliant Energy said they “Remain committed to cost-effectively meeting customers’ energy supply needs. Investing in a diverse energy mix and modernizing the energy grid delivers a more reliable, sustainable, resilient and secure energy future. The IUC’s decision positions us to accomplish this as we continue planning ahead, acting on behalf of our customers to ensure we’re ready to manage the rapidly changing energy landscape.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Fire and Cass EMS were dispatched at 7:22-a.m. to a house fire in the vicinity of 8th & Birch Streets. Flames were said to have been visible from the back of the home near the roof, when the call was dispatched.  Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel reports when firefighters arrived on the scene, smoke was visible. Cappel said there was an air conditioning unit in the upstairs that had been running. He said wiring in the wall caught fire because it wasn’t properly wired. 

The home sustained minimal fire and smoke damage. Power to the house was shut-off until the wiring can be fixed. Chief Cappel said the home’s residents will be displaced for a short period of time. There were no injuries, as the occupants of the home safely evacuated prior to the arrival of police and fire crews. Atlantic Fire was on the scene for about 30-to 45-minutes.

Ric Hanson/photo

RED OAK, Iowa — U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Thursday, announced her office will be holding traveling office hours in every county throughout the state during November and December. *Please Note: Senator Ernst will not be at the traveling office hours*

Representatives from Senator Ernst’s office will be available in all 99 counties to assist Iowans with problems and questions about issues involving Social Security, veterans’ benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. Constituents seeking assistance with federal agencies who are unable to attend the traveling office hours can contact one of the senator’s offices directly or submit a casework request online at www.Ernst.senate.gov.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

If you have any questions, please contact her office. A list of all the area upcoming dates and locations can be found below (in alphabetical order). All times are in the Central Time Zone. Additional dates, places and times can be found HERE.

Adair County

Friday, November 22, 2024; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; Adair County Courthouse Board of Supervisor Room (400 Public Sq.), Greenfield, IA.

Adams County

Wednesday, November 13, 2024: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM; Corning Public Library (603 9th St.), Corning, IA.

Audubon County

Thursday, November 14, 2024: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM; Audubon Public Library (401 N Park Pl.), Audubon, IA.

Cass County

Tuesday, November 12, 2024: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM; Atlantic Public Library (507 Popular St.), Atlantic, IA.

Guthrie County

Thursday, November 14, 2024: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Mary J. Barnnett Memorial Library   (400 Grand St.), Guthrie Center, IA.

Montgomery County

Wednesday, November 13, 2024; 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Red Oak Public Library (400 N. 2nd St.), Red Oak, IA.

Pottawattamie County

Tuesday, November 12, 2024: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Walnut City Hall (415 Antique City Drive), Walnut, IA.

Shelby County

Thursday, November 14, 2024: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Harlan Chamber of Commerce (1901 Hawkeye Ave.), Harlan, IA.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Wells Fargo is making more cuts to its workforce in West Des Moines. Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) reports that 32 workers will be laid off in late December. That brings the total number of workforce reductions in the metro to 334 this year.