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WHY IOWA??? Leisa Fox
WHY IOWA???
Leisa Fox
My Perspective
The Iowa Association of Business and Industry Founded in 1903 as Iowa Manufacturer’s
Association 1300 Members – very diverse As Membership Director, I speak to executives
from several hundred companies a year Leadership Iowa and Business Horizons
I’ll talk about
Iowa’s ResourcesIowa’s Business ClimateIowa’s PeopleIowa’s ProductIowa’s Lucky Atmosphere
Resources
In 1872, Horace Greeley a great American Mfg. Champion said – “Iowa is destined to be a great manufacturing state. You have coal in unlimited quantities…your lead mines…iron mines…cattle, hogs, wool, clay, timber, lime and stone…only await investment of capital to bring into your midst hundreds of thousands of consumers who will swarm to your factories…and eat up the products of this great agricultural state.”
Natural Resources
Coal Lead Timber Lime Cattle Poultry Hogs
Soybeans Corn Clay Water Land Energy
Renewable Energy
Iowa ranks #1 in ethanol production, #2 in biodiesel production and #3 in wind energy production.
In 2006, Iowa accounted for over 30 percent of U.S. ethanol production and 25 percent of U.S. biodiesel production.
Iowa has over 1,000 wind turbines creating almost 1,000 megawatts of energy: enough power to service 250,000 homes.
IA ranks 2nd in Ethanol Consumption
Transportation Resources
Five major air cargo carriers 19 railroad companies69 barge terminals on the Mississippi
and Missouri Rivers Trucks move an average of 133 million
tons of inbound freight and 163 million tons of outbound freight annually over Iowa's highways
Education Resources
Community CollegesPrivate Colleges & UniversitiesRegents CollegesLifelong Learning Opportunities
AssociationsConsultantsBusinesses
Education Statistics
Iowa has the 3rd highest graduation rate in the U.S."(Morgan Quitno, 2007) ..."
Iowa ranks first for highest scores on the SAT college entrance exam in 2007. (College Board)
Iowa is the 9th smartest state"(Morgan Quitno's Education State Rankings 2006-2007 Publication) ..."
Education Statistics
Top 100 Public Universities for value by quality 2006 – Kiplinger
US News & World Report Rank Regents Tier 1Year after Year
Iowa has the 3rd-highest graduation rate in the U.S.Morgan Quitno, 2007
Drake is ranked as a “best value” in higher education by both U.S.News and World Report and Barron’s 300 Best Buys in College Education.
Quality of Life Iowa is named the 7th-best state to raise a child.
Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2007 Iowa ranks 9th in the nation for number of state parks,
recreational areas and natural areas.Morgan Quitno, 2007
Eight metros in Iowa are ranked among the best places in America to start a business or career.Forbes, 2006
Iowa ranks 8th in safest neighborhoods in the U.S.Morgan Quitno, 2007
Happiness Index: Iowa 2nd Happiest State in the Nation »Mainstreet.com | April 8, 2009 When comparing financial health - foreclosures, unemployment rates and percentage of non-mortgage debt by income - Iowa is the second best state in the nation, behind only Nebraska.…
Quality of Life Iowa is consistently ranked as one of the most-livable
states in the nation. (Morgan Quitno) Iowa features more nine-hole golf courses per capita
than any other state. Des Moines' quality of life ranks 10th in the Midwest.
Only two communities ranked higher: Madison and Ann Arbor
Iowa ranks #50 among states in credit card debt Iowa Ranks in 'Least Depressed' Top Five Iowa ranks in the top 10 in the nation in the number of
state parks, recreation and natural areas. (Morgan Quitno)
Quality of Life Iowans enjoy the 7th-shortest average commute time
(18.4 minutes) among the 50 states US Census Bureau, 2006
Iowans enjoy the 9th-lowest housing costsUS Census Bureau, 2006
Iowans pay the lowest combined average auto insurance premiums of any state in the nationsNational Association of Insurance Commissioners, 2005
IA ranks 44th in number of hate crimes per capita.Washington DC is first, Alabama is last.
Iowa ranks fifth in voter turnout
Quality of Life Iowa is ranked the nation's 5th-most livable state
based on 43 factors ranging from median household income to crime rate and from sunny days to infant mortality rateCQ Press, 2008
Iowa's capital city, Des Moines, was listed as one of the best cities for families with kids.Kiplinger 2007
There is over 1000 miles of trail for hiking and biking within Iowa's state parks and recreation areasIowa Department of Transportation
Iowa is ranked 1st in the nation for social health based on 16 social indicatorsFordham Institute, 2003
Business Climate
1913 – Employers Choice of Medical Care 1947 – Right to Work 1996 – Machinery and Equipment Tax
Exemption 1998 – Employee Drug Testing 2000 – Research and Development Tax Credit 2002 – Corporation S Income Tax Reform 2004 – Workers’ Compensation Apportionment
Business Climate
49th in Cost of Doing Business6th Most Livable State3rd Lowest Natural Gas Costs3rd Lowest Electric Power Cost
People
Andi Coziahr – Council Bluffs Iowa
Plan B Consulting in Council Bluffs
People
Roger Hargens
President Accu-Mold, Ankeny, IA
People
Fred Buie
President & Owner, Keystone Electrical, Des Moines
People
Bob Wersen
President, Interpower Corp., Oskaloosa
People
Sean Abbas
President, Iowa Laser Technology, Waterloo
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where were my blades made?
Products
Where were my fuel nozels made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was I made?
Products
Where was my steel made?
Products
Where was I made?
Lucky to be an Iowan
Are you lucky?
If luck is where opportunity and preparedness meet, you are here!
Iowa’s resources, business climate, people and products have prepared you. Opportunity surrounds you!
You are LUCKY!!! Now do something with it!
Thank you
Leisa Fox
Vice President of Membership
Iowa Association of Business & Industry
904 Walnut, Ste. 100
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-235-0575
