DES MOINES (May 12, 2022) — The NFIB, or National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Optimism Index was unchanged in April, remaining at 93.2 and the fourth consecutive month below the 48-year average of 98. Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months decreased one point to a net negative 50%, the lowest level recorded in the 48-year-old survey.

DES MOINES, IOWA (May 10, 2022) — The Iowa Restaurant Association has opened up nominations for their fourth annual 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality Award. This award recognizes forty women in Iowa's hospitality industry for their creativity, leadership, and contributions. Nominations can be made online at restaurantiowa.com and will be accepted until August 1, 2022, 5PM.

AMES, IOWA (May 2, 2022) — Are you a Veteran planning to start or grow your own small business? There are a few basic things you must know to get started down a path to success.

DES MOINES, IOWA (April 27, 2022) — Iowa Workforce Development was recognized for its work to preserve integrity and efficiency in a critical area of its unemployment insurance (UI) system. Announced by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), the national award applauds IWD for its strong integration of the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) to better serve employers and claimants.

MARION, ILLINOIS (April 27, 2022) — Landmarks Illinois has launched a new grant program focused on preserving historic places in Southern Illinois in partnership with Banterra Bank, the largest, locally-owned bank in the region.

DAVENPORT, IOWA (April 25, 2022) — Modern Woodmen of America’s Board of Directors has appointed Jerald J Lyphout (East Moline, Illinois), as the organization’s 12th president and CEO, effective January 1, 2023. Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization, has been headquartered in Rock Island since 1897.

DES MOINES, IOWA (April 18, 2022) — Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 percent in March – down from 3.5 percent in February and from 4.4 percent one year ago. The US March unemployment rate decreased to 3.6 percent.

The labor force participation rate increased to 67.2 percent in March from 67 percent in February.

The Ascentra Credit Union marketing team earned three Diamond Awards in recognition for outstanding marketing and business development achievements for three of their 2021 marketing campaigns. Shown in picture (left to right) are Sarah O’Brien, Digital Marketing Coordinator; Barry Shaw, Marketing Team Lead; Jennifer Naeve, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer; Travis Kershaw, Graphics Designer; and Lindsey Osborne, Marketing Specialist

DES MOINES, IOWA (April 7, 2022) — Dislocated workers across Iowa now have access to a new career pathway in a high-demand field. IowaWORKS, in conjunction with JobWorks Education and Training Systems, are partnering to offer the TechWorks training program to create an accelerated pathway toward a career in information technology.

DES MOINES, IOWA (April 5, 2022) — Governor Kim Reynolds today awarded 35 projects with $2.26 million in state grants to launch valuable youth internships across Iowa this summer. 

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