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December 3, 2021
Register for ABI’s Annual Legislative
Briefing and Reception
We’re just over a month away from ABI’s 2022 Legislative Briefing and Reception. The annual event, which will be held on Wednesday, January 12 in Des Moines, is one of the association’s premier events. Hundreds of ABI members and dozens of Iowa lawmakers are likely to attend. The event is kicked off by the public policy team as they provide members with a preview of what’s to come during the 2022 legislative session. Following that, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with their locally elected officials. Check-in begins at 3:30 pm and the briefing begins at 4:00 pm. The reception will then take place at 4:30 pm. With more than 100 members already registered, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

CLICK HERE to register and learn more.
Apply for Future Ready Iowa
Employer Innovation Fund Grants Today
Governor Kim Reynolds has announced $1.2 million in employer innovation fund grants are now available to be applied for by business and other eligible applicants. Money from the fund can be used to support credit and non-credit training and educational programs, along with wraparound support services such as transportation, equipment, and innovative technologies to help Iowans complete job training and education. An applicant may apply for up to $50,000. Grants require that any requested amount be matched with private investment. Applications must be submitted by December 17, 2021.

CLICK HERE to submit an application
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Employer Innovation Fund.
Read Iowa Workforce Development’s press release.

There will also be a webinar held today at noon to discuss the fund and the application process. CLICK HERE to register.
Participate in Upcoming DNR Air Quality
Joint Fee Advisory Meeting
The DNR Air Quality Bureau is inviting stakeholders to review and comment on the draft Air Quality Bureau Budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY23). The annual fee advisory group meeting for the asbestos, construction permit and operating permit advisory groups will be held on Wednesday, January 5th at 1:00 pm via Zoom. A discussion will be held on fees for both major and minor sources.

Register for the meeting HERE.
The agenda will be posted HERE under “Meetings - Fee Advisory Groups”
one week prior to the meeting.
Iowa DOT Seeking Feedback on
Economic Impact of Aviation
The Iowa Department of Transportation is currently in the process of undertaking an Aviation Economic Impact Study. They’re requesting feedback from ABI members on the importance of aviation to Iowa’s economy. The DOT has contracted with Jviation to complete this study and hopes to have it completed and unveiled by next summer. The DOT has created a quick survey which relates to business usage of aviation in Iowa that asks questions regarding business use of commercial service and general aviation airports, reliance on air cargo and airport location, as well as the overall importance of aviation to the business’s operations.

CLICK HERE to view and take the survey. All responses to the survey will remain anonymous and confidential according to the DOT.
Unemployment Rate Drops Below 4.0% in Iowa
Iowa Workforce Development recently announced that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has fallen to 3.9% for the month of October. That’s down from 4.0% in September. The U.S. unemployment rate is currently 4.6%. Fewer Iowans are unemployed as that tally decreased from 66,200 in September to 64,700 in October. Our labor force participation rate is 66.8%. Read more from IWD’s press release.
Invest in the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee
You have thought about it before... You may have done it once or twice in the past... You know ABI does good work advancing the interests of the Iowa business community... It has never been convenient enough to participate... But now it is.

Now is the time to invest in the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee (IIPAC). Your contribution will help IIPAC identify and support candidates for office in Iowa that will advance public policy that makes Iowa a great place to do business. CLICK HERE to make a donation.
FEDERAL SPOTLIGHT
Status of Biden Administration
Vaccine Mandates In Federal Court
Readers will recall that the Biden Administration is in the process of implementing and enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates on employees of business owners through three different approaches - all three of which affect some portion of the ABI membership. At this point all three efforts have been temporarily stayed by federal courts for all or a portion of the states until further court action. A recap:

Mandate: Under OSHA, employees of companies with 100 or greater employees must be vaccinated or test negative weekly to be in the workplace. Status: Stayed by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals for all states and assigned to the 6th Court of Appeals for full hearing. The Biden Administration has asked the 6th Circuit to lift the stay and allow implementation.  

Mandate: By Executive Order, President Biden has required that employees of federal contractors must be vaccinated.
Status: The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a stay of the Executive Order for the states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio within its jurisdiction. No other states are covered by this order and the mandate remains in place for the remainder of the country.

Mandate: Under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), employees of companies receiving reimbursement from CMS must be vaccinated.
Status: The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a limited stay to ten states including Iowa to suspend implementation of the mandate. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals then granted a nationwide temporary injunction.

What should affected ABI members do? Court action is difficult to predict. Any final outcome is possible. Employers should continue to at least prepare written plans on how they will comply with the mandates should they eventually be enforced. Help in doing so is available on the coronavirus page of the ABI website HERE.
FROM THE DESK OF
Giving Tuesday Donations Positively Impact Lives
This Giving Tuesday, the ABI Foundation received more than $3,100 in donations and is one step closer to their $40,000 goal. The funds raised this week are equal to:

  • Full scholarships for 9 high school students to attend Business Horizons,
  • Six college students getting to attend Leadership Iowa University at no cost, or
  • Two scholarships for Leadership Iowa participants!

But the season of giving shouldn’t be limited to Giving Tuesday! All donations made now through September 30, 2022 will be matched up to $40,000 thanks to a generous gift from the Dick & Judy Smith Family Foundation! Help the ABI Foundation reach their goal and impact the lives of students and professionals.
CLICK HERE to donate!
FROM THE DESK OF
Computer Science for All Iowans
By: STEM Council Executive Director Jeff Weld
Computer science and information technology skills are transforming into a day-to-day skill set in today’s workforce that impacts every industry. Health information technicians encode and analyze patient information, cybersecurity analysts anticipate and protect companies from cyberattacks, machinists code robotic drills and welders, and software engineers build websites and computer software. All of these career paths rely on computer science, along with many more high-demand jobs in Iowa.

CLICK HERE to read more and learn how you can
get involved in next week’s CS Ed Week activities!
WATCH:

In a previous ABI Weekly Business Report, Dr. Jeff Weld, Executive Director of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, joined ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain to discuss the Teacher Externships Program.
MEMBER NEWS
Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
Please submit member news to: communications@iowaabi.org
Free "Creating a Culture That Lasts" Webinar
Retaining top talent can be tricky, and what’s been done in the past is no longer working. Join ABI member LenderClose CTO, Martina Schubert, as she navigates the conversation surrounding company culture and retaining top talent. In this Q&A-style webinar, learn her tips and tricks to building a positive working culture and how it can improve employee retention.

Thursday, December 9
10:00 AM

CLICK HERE to learn more and register.
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