DES MOINES, IOWA (April 20, 2020) — The Iowa Business Council (IBC) met on Friday, April 17, in a special board meeting to discuss the economic effects of COVID-19 and Iowa's recovery efforts going forward. "The Iowa Business Council was born out of one of the most difficult economic times in Iowa’s history: The Farm Crisis of the 1980s. It is critical for us to stay true to our founding mission to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Iowa," IBC Board Chair Mary Andringa stated. "As leaders of some of the largest businesses in the state, it is important for us to come together and share insights and ideas to respond to the global pandemic and elevate Iowa’s long-term economic vitality." IBC members were joined by Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham who provided remarks on the current state of Iowa's economy which led to a broader discussion on necessary steps to move toward recovery. "While we are still understanding the total impact on Iowans and our businesses, we know that the people of Iowa and our great Iowa companies are incredibly resilient. We've seen our economy come back after the Farm Crisis, the Great Recession, and multiple 500-year floods," IBC Executive Director Joe Murphy said. "I am optimistic about the ideas discussed during our meeting; we stand ready to assist in recovery efforts to set Iowa's economy back on track to thrive once again." Iowa Business Council members remain active in recovery and relief efforts associated with COVID-19 throughout their home communities and across the entire state. IBC members have donated over $1 million to local food banks and community philanthropic efforts, facilitated the manufacturing and delivery of hundreds of thousands of Personal Protective Equipment pieces, have offered fiscal relief for their customers and community members on bills and co-pays, and provided expanded benefits to their team members working during the crisis. To view more Iowa Business Council members' relief efforts, please visit https://www.iowabusinesscouncil.org/pages/covidresponse.
About the Iowa Business Council The Iowa Business Council (IBC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose 22 members are the chief decision makers of major Iowa employers. IBC member companies have invested billions of dollars of capital in Iowa's commercial infrastructure; lead the way in technology innovation, R&D, and grants procured; and are often the driving financial and volunteer forces behind philanthropic efforts all over the state. IBC member companies include: Alliant Energy; Casey’s General Stores Inc; Collins Aerospace; Corteva Agriscience; Deere and Company; Fareway; HNI Corporation; Hy-Vee Inc, Iowa Bankers Association; Kent Corporation; MercyOne; Meredith Corporation; MidAmerican Energy Company; Pella Corporation; Principal; Ruan Transportation Management Systems; The Weitz Company; The University of Iowa Health Care; UnityPoint Health; Vermeer Corporation; Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa; and Wells Enterprises Inc.
