Business Leader Survey Shows Continued Optimism About Iowa’s Economy

March 19, 2018

Mike Ralston, President, ABI
Mike Ralston, President, ABI

DES MOINES—Survey results released by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) today found members think the state’s economy will keep growing in Q2.

“Business leaders continue to be optimistic about Iowa’s economy,” said Mike Ralston, ABI president. “That’s great news for all Iowans.”

ABI surveyed its board members in March 2018. The survey found:

  •  76% of survey respondents expect sales to expand over the next year. 24% expect sales to stay the same.
  • 53% of survey respondents expect the number of employees in their business to grow over Q2. 41% expect the number to stay the same.
  • 79% of survey respondents plan to make capital expenditures in Q2.
  • A shortage of skilled labor, rising material costs and concerns about pending tariffs were identified as top issues for survey respondents in Q2.

“Compared to last quarter, the survey shows business leaders expect about the same amount of sales, and continued growth in both workforce and capital expenditures in Q2,” said Ralston.

This is the second quarter in a row ABI has quizzed Iowa business leaders. ABI conducted the first public quarterly survey of its board in the organization’s 114-year history in December 2017.

“What makes the survey results significant is it represents an accurate snapshot of what’s going on business-wise in Iowa,” said Ralston. “ABI member companies come from all 99 Iowa counties and represent a wide cross-section of industries and company sizes.”

The survey results may be found at http://bit.ly/2FF7je3.