Business Climate

Iowa's export shipments of merchandise in 2007 totaled $9.6 billion. Iowa's export shipments grew 84% from 2003 to 2007, the 13th largest percentage gain among the states, and well above the national percentage growth of 61%.
Iowa exported globally to 186 foreign destinations in 2007. Iowa's leading export category is machinery manufactures. Other top exports inlcude processed foods, chemical manufactures, and computer and electronic products.
Iowa ranks as the Second Best State for Cost of Doing Business, according to the Milken Institute Cost of Doing Business Index, 2007. Compared to the national average, the cost of doing business in Iowa is just 79.7%. The greatest values can be found in Industrial Rent (51%) and Office Rent (68%).
According to MSN Real Estate, our regional city of Dubuque was cited as 1 of 10 in "Low-cost locales where jobs are plenty." This citation focused on areas with a low cost of living, good job prospects, and a high quality of life. (MSN, 2008)

Dubuque was honored to be named an "All America City" in 2007 by the National Civic League.
Dubuque ranks #1 as the "biggest mover"among the top 393 cities/economies in the U.S. (Inc. Magazine, April 2007), and ranks #2 in the "biggest mover" status on Forbes Magazine's Best Places list. (April 2007)

Compare the Midwest to Other Locations

Business Climate Comparison
The Midwest offers unique opportunities for businesses and communities to grow and thrive, and all provide an attractive labor, tax and input cost environment. This feature makes it easy for you to review the business climates, using common indicators such as taxes, unemployment costs, education levels and quality of life rankings with this customizable business climate comparison.

Select one of the states to learn more about that state's business climate, or customize your data by comparing the business climate of these Midwestern states to the business climate of states in other areas of the country.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. Census Bureau; Iowa Workforce Development; International Trade Administration; Milken Institute; Mid-American Energy