Economic Development

Business and Civil/Human Rights with Joshua Barr

He moved from South Carolina to Des Moines to become the director of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission. Here we ask Joshua Barr why he came to Des Moines, what he thinks about the community, the common issues raised when it comes to civil and human rights and how the process works.  From housing to age discrimination we cover lots of ground but the one area that has a clear focus, and that we have heard over and over, is economics and how, when that is better equalized, the city, state and nation can become more successful for all our citizens.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Black Business Empowerment - Clair Rudison

We met Clair Rudison at the recent Martin Luther King Jr. event in Des Moines where he offered a passionate address about building black owned businesses that would lift the economics of his neighborhood. With Gov. Kim Reynolds sitting behind him he turned and said, "We need to create a way to encourage and build business opportunities for our black citizens. That is a true path to economic security." Mr. Rudison recently started Rudison Consultancy Group something he says works to promote understanding and economic growth in a cross cultural manner. Contact information is Rudison2010@gmail.com and by phone 515-745-7021. Meet Clair Rudison...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Rural Economic Development Success Stories with Bill Menner

He spent eight years driving the roads of Iowa delivering ideas and money to rural communities through the USDA. Now, in his role as business owner of the Bill Menner Group, Bill Menner is still passionate about finding ways to make our rural communities more sustainable. Here we talk about some success stories and what is needed for any rural community to move forward. Bill also shares the top concerns of most rural communities in Iowa and the Midwest. We also spend some time on the upcoming Rural Economic Development Summit coming in April to Grinnell. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Rekha Basu & Betty Andrews - MLK Celebration Awards

On Monday at the 29th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Des Moines where politicians such as Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg spoke of equality and opportunity, where young Emmet Phillips offered some stunning poems, where Izzah jB Knox spoke of current needs, where prayers were offered and music made; two people received recognition for their efforts. Rekha Basu from the Des Moines Register and Betty Andrews from the NAACP and I'll Make Me a World in Iowa spoke "truth to power" during the nearly two hour event. We had the opportunity to visit with both. What they said is worth repeating. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 

Taxes, Businesses and Budgets

Business groups from across Iowa are clamoring for the Iowa Legislature to reduce corporate taxes which they say, correctly, are the highest in the nation. They say it is a major problem when trying to lure business to the state. What they are not saying is that hardly any business pays the 12% rate and independent audits say Iowa ranks in the middle of all states in the U.S. We turned to economist and educator Peter Fisher from the Iowa Public Policy Project to share with us his view. In addition we asked if now, given the fiscal mess the state budget is in, how we might square that with receiving less through taxes. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Legislative Priorities from the Greater Des Moines Partnership

Before we know it the 2018 Iowa Legislative Session will kick off. Each year, prior to the session, the Greater Des Moines Partnership meets with stakeholders to determine the priorities they believe will be helpful to businesses and communities the organization represents. Here Joe Murphy the Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs and Public Policy shares the four items on the Partnership's "Wish List". We think the conversation is important and a peek at what is to come starting January 8th. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Iowa & Israel - It's a Match!

It is his first visit to Iowa as Deputy Consul General of Israel based in Chicago. Meet Itay Milner who is visiting the state to build economic and educational ties. Here we visit about a host of things from the robust economy of Israel to technology and more that can benefit both his nation and our state. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Economic Development, Roads and John Deere in Urbandale

As we look from community to community in the Greater Des Moines Metro each seems to be growing and moving forward in their own way. In this segment we talk with Curtis Brown, about Economic Development in the City of Urbandale, what the Urban Loop means for the community and the entire Metro. Then it's on to technology and John Deere and a discussion about the local option sales tax. Learn more by listening...good radio here. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Iowa Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit with Ben Jung

The Iowa Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit is ten years old and it all kicks off on Saturday in Ankeny at the FFA Enrichment Center. Here we welcome back our friend Ben Jung to tell us more about the event, how Iowa has changed over the years, who should come and what to expect. All of us should be proud of the opportunities Iowa continues to hold for people who choose to come here. Want to go? Here is the website.
 The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Women of Innovation with Mandy McWherter

Technology it is all around us in fact many would say that every business is really, when you dig down far enough, is a technology company. Here we visit with Mandy McWherter from the Technology Association of Iowa about that, broadband connectivity. economic development and a program called Women of Innovation that spotlights women and young girls in STEM. That event happens on Monday the 13th of November. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.