Economic Development

Basic Income from Uplift of Central Iowa

We've reported on this type of program several times over the years. In fact we started looking at this during the run-up of the 2020 Presidential Election when Andrew Yang made guaranteed income a key issue of his campaign. Here we visit with Michael Berger and Ashley Ezzio about a pilot program being tested in Central Iowa. The test is what would $500 a month do to assist families who are struggling financially. Meet Ashley and Michael from Uplift the Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot.  We think you'll find this compelling. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Business News Headlines 14 February 2023

And yes, a Happy Valentine's Day to you. It's that kind of a day when an extra hug can make a big difference...even to your pets. Just ahead some of the big business news stories of the day, a look at what happened on Wall Street and an amazing conversation about immigrant entrepreneurs. My guests are Jayne Armstrong from the Small Business Administration and Curtis Baugh who is the Senior Small Business Consultant with the Small Business Solutions Center. Some amazing stories wait for you so...click ahead to learn so much about a topic few of us know about. Also, remember that you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
One of the best known restaurant brands is looking to sell;
Ford has halted production on a popular vehicle what and why;
The results of the Consumer Price Index is out and the reaction;
Two major Costco rivals are expanding;
The economy under the Biden Administration;
Walmart is closing some tech hubs and more;
Laying off workers while collecting fat bonuses...ugh;
The Wall Street Report;
And, college students who say they are...bored.
For the Interview you'll meet returning guest Jayne Armstrong from the Small Business Administration and Curtis Baugh the Senior Small Business Consultant from the Small Business Solution Center at the DMACC Evelyn K. Davis Center.  It's an amazing story about how they are building relationships with immigrant entrepreneurs and the results are truly fantastic. To listen, CLICK HERE. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Working with International Entrepreneurs

Not long ago we were contacted by Jayne Armstrong the District Director for the Small Business Administration about a project she was working on with Curtis Baugh who is the Senior Small Business Consultant at the Small Business Solutions Center at the DMACC Evelyn K. Davis Center. The project, in a nutshell, is helping entrepreneurs who are immigrants better understand the American method of small business development. Curtis told us that he has worked with thousands of individuals from a host of nations helping them build a sustainable small business. It really is a remarkable story.  Have a listen.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

A Crisis in Education from Funding to Expectations with Mike Beranek

There is so much going on when it comes to education in Iowa and frankly many other states.  From inflation costs, to state support of public schools to teacher pay vs. a work/life balance to  public money being used to pay for private and often religious schools. In this interview with Mike Beranek the president of the Iowa State Education Association we take a deep dive into those issues and more. Oh, one other thing: the link between a solid public education and business as employer expectations demand better educated workers in a rapidly changing work environment.  So much to talk about. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 

The Business News Headlines and More 19 December 2022

OK, we get it. For the next two weeks nobody does nothing that is unless you work at a hospital, gas station, the police department, retail stores, media, news...you get the idea.  Welcome to the Monday, December 19th Edition of the Business News Headlines. Glad you are with us again today.  Also stay with us and click ahead for an exclusive interview with Robert Palmer from the Iowa League of Cities as we talk about what the over 900 communities in Iowa have on their wish list from the Iowa Legislature that gavels to order on January 9.  Also, remember that you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Gas prices and July of 2021;
Why are the Markets fixated on unemployment?
Twitter users say that Elon Musk must go;
A retail destination that has seen no "Shrinkflation";
McDonald's and some money saving deals;
The Wall Street Report;
Is working from home the reason for a lack of productivity at Salesforce?
For the Interview with Robert Palmer from the Iowa League of Cities is this exclusive conversation about the Legislative Values he and his team will be taking to the 2023 Iowa Legislature that gavels to order on January 9.  To listen just click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 

Legislative Values from the Iowa League of Cities

There are over 900 communities that are members of the Iowa League of Cities. Each year the League prepares the Legislative Values shared by its members. Here we visit with Robert Palmer the General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs about what they are and talk about the impact they can, and, will have on your city.  We begin, however, talking about the recent National Summit on Civility that was held earlier this month and was anything accomplished?  Here is Robert Palmer:
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 
ere is Robert Palmer: 

Joshua V. Barr - Raising The Bar on Equality

Today, for the interview, you'll meet entrepreneur Joshua V. Barr who left his paid job to start a new company, Raising the Barr. What is that all about?  We’ll talk about what diversity really means for businesses, individuals and communities. The divisive nature of our society and what he thinks might be the answer that will heal our divisions. Joshua V. Barr for the interview. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 
 

The Business News Headlines 13 October 2022

It's a Throwback Thursday and if you followed along on our social media channels you got to see, and hear, some stuff that dates back several years.  But, for today: It was an historic day on Wall Street and we’ll share. what made it so astounding. Good news for retirees who will get a massive cost of living increase and mortgage rates hit a 20 year high.  IT’s the business news headlines for Thursday the 13th day of October, thanks for being with us. Also, remember that you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
A massive reversal for Wall Street and why;
An historic increase in Social Security payments;
Mortgage rates are climbing again will they go higher?
IKEA is celebrating. Hey, at least somebody is;
A massive grocery store merger?
Taco Bell takes on a classic "comfort food";
Nike has too much inventory so...
The Wall Street Report;
And the serious drop in ACT scores.
Those stories and we go "Out to Lunch" with John Norwood who is running to become the next Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Iowa.  We kick off our conversation with "Quick Bites" three questions each of our guests get and you can hear that...here.  Then we get into an amazing conversation about a host of issues impacting Iowa and consumers. Everything from soils to water to population losses, to alternative crops, how to get more farmers into farming and more.  He also talks about the Iowa Farm Bill that wraps so much of this together. Even if you don't live on a farm or in Rural Iowa this is a powerful conversation about new ideas and direction. You can hear that conversation right here.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 
 

Two Mayors - Two Very Different Communities

While we were at the Iowa League of Cities event in Waterloo we made the decision to sit down with both the outgoing president of the League, Mayor Donny Hobbs (R) from Lohrville (pop. 381) and Mayor John Haila (L) of Ames (pop. 60,000). What do they have in common? What are the burning issues? How do you keep the lights on? What about economic development and so much more. Two mayors from two very different Iowa communities. Enjoy, we did!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 
 
 
 

What is the Iowa League of Cities? We Ask Alan Kemp

In every state, except one, there is a group that represents cities and towns in areas such as economic development, public safety, infrastructure and more. One such group, The Iowa League of Cities, recently held their annual convention and trade show in Waterloo, Iowa. We were there to find out more about this association and what they do.  My guest is Alan Kemp the Executive Director for the League and we talk about a host of things from local control or home rule to what legislatures across the country seem to think about that...and more. Let's go! 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.