Legislative News
Tools for Employee Engagement Before Election
This month's Business Record Iowa is all about employee education when it comes to the election. With only two and a half weeks until Election Day, consider sending a reminder to your employees, including stuffers in paychecks for those individuals who still request paper checks and/or printing a poster and putting it up in your break room. For sample messaging to send to your employees, click here.

Three Things to Know Before Voting
If you missed this week's Election Update, ABI's Nicole Crain provides members with three things to know before voting. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, there are a few tips that will help you have a smooth voting experience.

Public Hearing on Research Activities Credit Rules
On Wednesday, the Department of Revenue (DOR) held a public hearing on the Research Activities Credit rules, which were noticed in order to implement SF 2417. During the past month, ABI has received feedback from members about who can claim the RAC. ABI attended the meeting and requested the DOR provide information as to whether ESOPs will be able to claim the credit. ABI will continue to follow this rule as it advances through the Administrative Rules Review Committee.

Deadline to Apply for Registered Apprenticeship Funding is Friday, Oct. 26
With workforce a top priority for businesses across the state, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) announced organizations have until 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 to submit  proposals to receive funding to grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa.  The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded IWD an additional $1 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant to strengthen and grow Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. The grant is focused on expanding opportunities in healthcare and advanced manufacturing, the fastest growing and largest employment sectors in the state, as well as increasing the participation of women, youth, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities. Keep reading.

Opportunities to Serve on State Boards and Commissions
The state has hundreds of boards and commissions that are filled with citizens to help advise and recommend ideas for new policies or administrative changes to state agencies. Individuals who serve on boards or commissions are appointed by the  g overnor and, in many cases, confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ABI has traditionally been active in ensuring business people are encouraged to apply to serve in these important roles. In other words, we need you! Two important positions that affect ABI members are currently open. Keep reading.

News Release: Iowa Students, Teachers Benefit from STEM
On Tuesday, the Iowa STEM Advisory Council, co-chaired by ABI board member Roger Hargens (Accu-Mold), released an independent evaluation that measures the council's progress toward increasing student interest and achievement in STEM education and workforce development in Iowa. The results of the evaluation reflect the effort ABI members, Gov. Reynolds, the Legislature, educators and so many others are putting into educating Iowans about opportunities for careers in STEM. Most notably, in 2017, 96 percent of Iowans said STEM education should be a priority in their local school district. Read the full news release from Gov. Reynolds.

DNR to Host Strategic Goals Program with EPA Compliance on E-Manifests
The DNR will host a one-day workshop on Nov. 6 about everything you want to know about E-manifests. For this workshop, attendees will hear from EPA Region 7 compliance officers about the EPA's E-manifest program. E-manifests is a national system for tracking hazardous waste shipments electronically and will modernize the nation's cradle-to-grave hazardous waste tracking process, while saving valuable time, resources and dollars for industry and states. Keep reading.

Federal Spotlight: ATRA Report Shows Excessive Tort Costs
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) released on Monday an economic study of six states that determines how excessive tort costs impact employment and job loss, gross product output and annual direct costs. ATRA is an organization that ABI partners with to stay updated on nationwide trends with the legal system. ATRA also provides ABI with resources to help address imbalances in our state's legal system. Keep reading.
From the Desk of...
Are You Ready for Harvest Season?

Loraine Hardin
CEO
Hardin & Associates, LLC
[email protected]

In the Heartland a very common conversation this time of year relates to harvesting the fields of corn and soybeans. For farmers it is the time when all the planning, preparation and hard work come together. They know exactly what needs to be done to capitalize on their business, and their only question is, "When will the weather cooperate so I can get the job done?"

For a leader in a business not driven by a growing cycle, the four seasons do not as clearly highlight the activities that need to take place in order for the organization to grow and be profitable. One season can easily bleed into the next, and the leader can find him/herself on autopilot with no intentional checkpoints.  

Companies with a fiscal year coinciding with the calendar year will find fall is an excellent time to reap the learnings and plant new seeds by refreshing plans for the coming year. Sometimes when leaders hear this they groan because "seriously...there are way too many things to get done to finish the year, and there is no time to spend on planning." When there is too much going on to take time "to work on the business," it is exactly the time "to work on the business." Keep reading.
Top News
ATW Training Solutions Releases Results of Iowa Trends in Talent Development Survey
The 12th annual survey was conducted in August and was completed by 138 respondents from 23 industries. Among the key findings: Talent development budgets remain strong, but Iowa companies invest significantly less in training--in terms of both dollars and hours--compared to national averages. Read the two-page summary and  full report.

R&R Realty Group Names New Vice Presidents
R&R Realty Group (R&R) has announced the promotion of Adam Kaduce to senior vice president and Brittany Freund to vice president within R&R Real Estate Advisors (REA), the company's brokerage arm.  "Adam and Brittany have demonstrated tremendous leadership both within their communities and our organization," said Paul Rupprecht, president of REA. "They'll be a key part of our continued growth in their new roles." Read the news release.

R&R Realty Group Celebrates Completion of Paradigm Building
R&R Realty Group (R&R) celebrated the completion of its new Paradigm Building last Thursday. Attending the event were representatives from the City of Urbandale and the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, along with business leaders from across the Des Moines metro.  At 45,000 square feet, Paradigm is the newest speculative office building in both R&R's portfolio and Urbandale's Urban Loop area. Read the news release.
Governor's Club Sponsors