Insurance, Business Leaders Hold Forum on Keeping Workers in Iowa

Business leaders expressed continued concern this week that Iowa lacks enough workers to maintain a growing business climate.

Business managers, insurance executives, and economic development directors discussed the issue at a forum, with many blaming the state for not keeping its young college graduates in the state, according to a recent Associated Press account.

Iowa lost 16,902 residents ages 22 to 29 with a bachelor’s degree between 1995-2000, according to Census figures.

"We have an abysmal growth rate at less than 1 percent if you believe census figures,” said Max Phillips, chairman of the Iowa Business Council. "That’s lower than any other contiguous state and that means from a business standpoint, no workers.”

Full Story: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2006/07/19/70601.htm