Economic Development

The Business News Headlines & More 1 August 2023

For some reason starting a new month gets confusing. This is the second month of the third quarter and our interview that we thought was this morning turns out it is tomorrow. Don't ask. Thanks for coming by for the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 1st day of August. And, make sure you click ahead for the interview with Alan Kemp from the Iowa League of Cities who is in to talk about a new program to help communities better market themselves to citizens as well as outside groups.  Ya gotta tell your story. Click ahead for the news and, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Fewer job openings means what exactly?
Will Yellow Freight drivers find jobs?  Maybe;
Musk makes good on his legal threat;
Did you know solar panels wear out?
Well, we didn't but it's spawned a new industry;
DEI is dead at the Magic Kingdom;
The Wall Street Report;
Are advertising sales on the upswing? We hope...
Speaking of advertising and marketing the Iowa League of Cities has launched a new program designed to help their members better explain what a city does...or doesn't do. It's called Simplicity - Your City Simplified. My guest is Alan Kemp the Executive Director of the League who will also give a quick overview of their annual event this year in Cedar Rapids. To listen to this conversation, 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...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines & More 27 July 2023

One of the stories we just didn't have time for is about beef prices and here it is: USDA released retail meat prices detailing what consumers were paying for meat in June. All fresh aggregate retail prices of beef hit new all-time highs in June, increasing to $7.57 per pound, about 3 cents per pound over the previous record high in October of 2021. Retail fresh beef prices are 3.1% higher than last year at this time. Retail pork prices continued to decline, coming in at $4.68 per pound, about 5% lower than last June. Broiler retail prices ticked higher. The composite price is 2% higher than last year but just under a new cord high by 4 cents. Now you know and welcome to the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 27th of July.  Don't miss out on the conversation below with Debi Durham from the Iowa Economic Development Authority as we talk about Iowa, Israel and the unique location of the Hawkeye State.  Click ahead for the news and, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Tick Spit and Red Meat...no, this is real;
Surprise says the U.S. economy;
The White House weighs into housing issues;
Tesla and a "secret suppression" group;
Tipping...getting out of control and why;
The Wall Street Report;
Today is "Black Women's Equal Pay Day". What that means.
For the interview we're joined by Debi Durham the Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority who recently addressed Iowans for Israel about economic opportunities, the unique location Iowa enjoys and so much more. To listen to that conversation just 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...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Iowa, Israel and Economic Opportunity with Debi Durham

At a recent meeting of the bipartisan Iowans Supporting Israel the Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority , Debi Durham, spoke about her experiences while visiting there and what opportunities there are in both Iowa and Israel for future expansion. Here you'll learn about the verticals Iowa excels in, a discussion about other nations and the workforce issue that nearly every business here and...everywhere...is facing. A conversation with Debi Durham.
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...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Economic Development in Snohomish, WA with Garry Clark

It's been a journey for Garry Clark. He didn't grow up in the best of circumstances but through hard work and an eye on success Garry moved on from "tough times" to a plum job as the Economic Alliance for Snohomish County and based in Everett. We caught up with Garry, who was headlining a recent League of Iowa Cities convention and talked with him about his life and what moves him to action. We clearly enjoyed getting to know this very bright and motivated man.  You can listen 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.

The Business News Headlines & More 9 March 2023

We've got a full boat for you today as we talk about a host of things that will impact you and your life...if not today...in the very near future. And, make sure you click ahead for the conversation with a returning guest, Jessica Dunker from the newly minted Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association and the Iowa Restaurant Association. So much to share.  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:  
No, not layoffs, just looking for folks who want to...quit;
U.S. automakers and EV's. What that means for workers;
A closer look at Lithium-Ion batteries and...fires;
What's the deal with U.S. retailers and...Canada?
The potato shortage is causing some menu changes;
The Wall Street Report;
"They don't know what they are missing." A vanishing job sector.
For the interview you'll meet Jessica Dunker who was first on our newscast way back in 2014. Today she is here to talk about the new Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association and why that was created and she'll offer up some interesting stories about the world of restaurants. Always a great conversation and you can hear it all by clicking 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.

The New Iowa Hotel & Lodging Assn. and some Restaurant News with Jessica Dunker

I took a look at how many times and how long we've had Jessica Dunker on the air with us.  Seems she has shared our microphones six times with the first being back in 2014.  Jessica is the President/CEO of the newly minted Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association as well as the established Iowa Restaurant Association. Here we talk about why the lodging industry needs a voice at the table, what workforce concerns they have and more. We'll also offer some new restaurant news and how advocacy for that industry saved so many eating and drinking spots. Jessica Dunker...just a click away!
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.

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.