MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE
• Iowa's economic growth lagged U.S. in 2019
• Aura Cacia unveils hand sanitizer product, giving plans
• CBJ webinar Tuesday to address the economy
• Latest coronavirus updates, 4/13/20
• Wahls takes a new role at GreenState
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast
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Iowa's economic growth lagged U.S. in 2019
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New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that the state of Iowa saw real GDP growth of 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2019, but less than 1% for the entire year.
GDP (gross domestic product) is the sum of the goods and services produced in the economy over a set period of time.
The state's economy grew by 0.9% from 2018-2019, according to the BEA, with the strongest part of the year coming in the first quarter, with 2% growth, before falling to 1.1% in the second. Growth rebounded to 1.3% in the third quarter and held steady through the end of the year.
Iowa's 2019 annual growth rate was down from 2018's mark of 1.4%, according to the BEA. The U.S. GDP grew by 2.3% in 2019.
The retail, finance and insurance, government and utilities sectors were the main drivers of growth in Iowa's economy over the fourth quarter.
Iowa's annual GDP growth topped that of neighboring Nebraska (0.6%) and South Dakota (0.7), but trailed Illinois (1.6), Minnesota (1.4), Missouri (2.1) and Wisconsin (1.4). Texas led the nation, with 4.4% growth over the year, followed by Utah and Washington.
IMAGE: A chart showing state-level GDP growth numbers for 2019. CREDIT U.S. BEA
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Aura Cacia plans to share hand sanitizer profits
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Aura Cacia has begun manufacturing a limited-edition hand sanitizer due to the shortages of sanitizer caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is pledging to donate half of the profits to charity.
Aura Cacia, a part of Norway, Iowa-based Frontier Co-op, is a leading supplier of essential oils and aromatherapy products.
“With our expertise in personal care, hand sanitizer is a product we knew we could easily make, but we first wanted to answer the question, ‘how we can we give consumers what they need while also giving them the opportunity to pay it forward in their communities?'” Shannon Ousley, director of Aura Cacia marketing, said in a news release.
The brand rapidly adapted its manufacturing center to support the production, while its social giving team developed criteria to make sure the profits would go to organizations addressing critical needs.
“Nonprofits across the U.S. are facing restricted resources as they continue to do everything they can to meet an increased demand for services,” said Alicia Simmons, Aura Cacia Sustainability Manager. “It’s critical we give back, especially during this time.”
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New CBJ business support webinars set for this week
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The Corridor Business Journal's mission of informing and connecting the region's business community is more important than ever.
In that spirit, the CBJ will host a series of webinars over the lunch hour every Tuesday and Thursday designed to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday's webinar invites Corridor business leaders Joe Ahmann of Ahmann Companies, Mike Gerdin of Heartland Express, Mary Quass of NRG Media and Charlie Rohde of King's Materials to share their insights into the state of the economy. Topics will include industry trends, business anecdotes and predictions for the months ahead.
Tune in again on Thursday as speaker, trainer and instructional coach Celina Peerman offers practical steps leaders can take to minimize the role of grief in the workplace and help employees navigate the range of emotions that come with sudden and significant changes. Kim Becicka, vice president of continuing education and training services at Kirkwood Community College, will also provide an overview of unemployment numbers in the region.
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Latest coronavirus updates, 4/13/20
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Ed. note: The CBJ is working hard to keep you up to date on the latest coronavirus news. We’re publishing a short roundup each day of notable cancellations, closures, changes and more. Send your tips and releases to
news@corridorbusiness.com
to help us stay up to date. See our ongoing thread with collected updates
here
.
The Iowa Department of Public Health
has reported 1,710 confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the state, including 615 in the Corridor. As of April 12, there have been 16,005 negative COVID-19 tests in the state. Regularly updated information from the IDPH can be found
here
.
UI Health Care
will put new, temporary visitor restrictions into effect beginning April 15 in an effort to increase social distancing in its facilities. They include a temporary suspension of visits to adult patients, and only one visitor a day (a parent or legal guardian) for pediatric patients. Some exceptions apply, including for those having babies, in critical care or facing end-of-life care decisions. The temporary restrictions apply to all UI Health Care patient care facilities, including UI Hospitals & Clinics and the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa
is now making telemedicine and curbside appointments available to those who rely on PCI for primary and specialty care. Curbside services are offered at PCI Primary Care and Walk In Care, located in Medical Pavilion 2, 275 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Patients with respiratory symptoms, or those who do not wish to come into the clinic to limit virus exposure, but need a face-to-face family medicine visit, can take advantage of curbside services. Call (319) 364-7730 to request a curbside appointment. They will be instructed where to park, and after calling upon arrival and a care team will come to their vehicle. To schedule a telehealth visit, access PCI’s patient portal. For more information, patients should call their PCI provider directly.
The city of Iowa City
is asking transit riders to wear cloth masks when riding the bus due to the CDC’s recent recommendation that people should wear cloth masks while in public spaces where social distancing may not be possible.
HACAP
has extended the deadline for low-income individuals seeking help with costs of home heating until May 31 to apply for HACAP’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Individuals who have not applied for Energy Assistance yet this year can do so by downloading the application documents online at
www.hacap.org/liheap
or by calling (319) 739-0100. HACAP lobbies are currently closed to the public but drop boxes are available outside for individuals to turn in applications.
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Wahls to lead LMI community development at GreenState
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North Liberty-based GreenState Credit Union has named Zach Wahls as vice president of low- and moderate-income (LMI) community development.
Mr. Wahls is a state senator from Coralville, who has received widespread recognition as an author and activist on LGBTQ issues from the perspective of the son of a same-sex couple.
In this new role for GreenState, Mr. Wahls will lead new initiatives to expand the credit union’s service of its LMI members amid growing economic uncertainty. His hiring is unrelated to the COVID-19 outbreak, but GreenState expects his work will benefit Iowans being impacted by the pandemic’s resulting economic turmoil.
“We’re excited to have Zach join the GreenState family in this new role," GreenState CEO Jeff Disterhoft said in a news release. "For decades, we have been dedicated to serving our community, and we hope Zach’s work will take that to the next level. Zach has led a winning national advocacy campaign, and as an Iowa state senator, he possesses a deep understanding of the economic and policy dynamics affecting Iowans. We are glad someone with his policy, advocacy, and community background is joining our organization to lead the expansion of this work.”
Mr. Wahls, in a news release, said: “I’m excited to be starting this new position with GreenState and look forward to strengthening our service of our state’s economically vulnerable families, especially in this time of crisis. I’ve been a member of this credit union for nearly 20 years and going to work for the Iowans who need our help the most is an incredible opportunity.”
Previously, Mr. Wahls has worked as a consultant with GreenState to conduct research on the growing economic pressure facing Iowa’s LMI households. He received his bachelors from the University of Iowa and masters from Princeton University. His masters research included work on the intersection of poverty and public policy and how the design of financial products can impact LMI households.
PHOTO: Zach Wahls
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Connect with the CBJ
The CBJ’s mission of informing and connecting the Corridor’s business community is more important than ever. Our news operations will continue researching and reporting on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through our multiple distribution channels. Here’s how you can connect with us today and moving forward:
- You can reach our newsroom directly with leads, updates, cancellations, etc. at news@corridorbusiness.com.
- Our comprehensive, deep-dive content continues in our weekly CBJ. If you are not a digital subscriber, you can sign up here.
- Our daily news coverage solution is spread throughout the week with our free e-newsletters. If you have not already signed up, you can do so here.
- Updated coronavirus information will also be published on our website, corridorbusiness.com/latest-coronavirus-updates, and through our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn channels.
- All of our staff members remain available to assist you. You can find our full contact information at www.corridorbusiness.com/cbj-contact.
Remember: Subscribers can access the digital CBJ anytime and anywhere. Don't remember your password? Please email
jean@corridorbusiness.com for a password reset.
The CBJ print subscribers can also temporarily have the CBJ mailed to their home. To temporarily switch your address, please send your full temporary mailing address to
jean@corridorbusiness.com. Please include start and stop dates for the temporary address.
Thank you for your continued support of the Corridor Business Journal.
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Short Term Event Planner
April 13
Virtual Joint Roundtable,
by Iowa City Area Business Partnership, noon-1 p.m., online. Connect with other members of the Business Partnership. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/39NJx9S
.
Iowa Inventors Group Monthly Meeting
, by IIG, 7 p.m., online. Hear from Jason Klug, founder and CEO of Klugonyx Group LLC, on taking ideas from conception to completion. Free. To join, visit
bit.ly/2VoXGFI
.
April 14
Discuss Innovation,
by NewBoCo, 8-9 a.m., online.
NewBoCo’s innovation team will review the dynamics of change and how to use those dynamics to amplify opportunities in your work and personal lives. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/newboinnovates
.
Mental Health in the Workplace: COVID-19,
by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 9-10 a.m., online. Learn how to support employee mental health, manage remote work and the importance of self-care during these uncertain times. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/3bJrXpc
.
Corridor Economic Update
, by Corridor Business Journal, noon-1 p.m., online. Local business leaders will share their insights into the state of the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include industry trends, business antidotes, and how things look in the months ahead. Free. To register, visit
corridorbusiness.com/events
.
Organizational Management in Times of Uncertainty,
by CLA, 2-3 p.m., online. Learn strategies for navigating these uncertain times. Topics will include legislation, liquidity and workforce. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/2XkLw3g
.
Washington Business Hangout
,
by Washington Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Washington, 2 p.m., online. Washington Chamber members are invited to a Google Hangout to address ways to proactively promote community businesses. Hangouts will be held each Tuesday and Thursday. Free. To join, visit
meet.google.com/fiu-sfok-daq
or dial in to (219) 401-0636 (PIN 264113127#).
Mental Health Resources and Strategies for Business Leaders
, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Foundation 2, 3 p.m., online. Gain tools to navigate mental health concerns within your team and yourself. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/2VjC9Or
.
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Get in the know
Forward the FREE CBJ Business Daily newsletter to your friends and colleagues, and share the feeling of being informed! Use our fast, one-minute subscription to the CBJ's newsletters
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These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
A beef processing plant in one of Iowa's coronavirus hot spots has suspended production after several workers have become infected. National Beef announced that its Iowa Premium plant in Tama will be idled until April 20. The company said numerous employees had contracted COVID-19 and others were exhibiting flu-like symptoms. It's the second meat processing plant in Iowa to suspend operations after workers have become infected. Tyson Foods last week idled its Columbus Junction pork plant.
National Beef, which is based in Kansas City, purchased the Tama plant last year. At the time, it had about 850 employees. The plant processes corn-fed beef raised on farms in Iowa and neighboring states, boxing products for domestic and international markets. Read the full story
here
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The Johnson County Sheriff's Office said authorities found the body of a missing 15-year-old boy. Authorities said they found the body of Noah Herring, of Tiffin, on April 11 at the Coralville Reservoir. On April 9, authorities issued an Operation Quickfind for Herring. He had last been seen on April 7 around 3 p.m. The sheriff's office said it is looking for anyone who may have been boating or fishing on the Coralville Reservoir near Scales Pointe Campground or near the area known as Diving Rock on April 7. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joint Emergency Communications Center at (319) 356-6800.
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
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Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
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Our weather over the next few days will be very cold by April standards. The gusty wind will continue today as well, with the strongest gusts occurring early this morning. Plan on plenty of sunshine much of the day, though by late afternoon, a weak system may be able to generate an isolated snow shower. This weak system will be followed by another one tomorrow and we'll carry the low potential for a few snow showers then, too. As for temperatures, they'll be about 20 degrees below normal for this time of year with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s through Wednesday. We are hopeful for some moderation to potentially 50 degrees by Friday and a push to around 60 for Saturday.
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