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Iowa's Free Enterprise Report: 2025 Edition

The Free Enterprise Report is a marquis report that provides an objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis of the Iowa economic landscape and the state’s most pressing issues. The study is a year long undertaking and includes the CSI Economic Performance Index as well as a Free Enterprise Competitiveness Index across eight different policy areas.

Both indices provide an opportunity to look backwards and better understand where Iowa has been and what direction we are moving. We can better understand how we are performing relative to other states and we can equip policy makers, civic and business leaders with the best understanding of how our state is performing, where we are winning, where we are losing and how free enterprise principles can get us back on track.

 

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Jobs & Our Economy
Inflation in the Midwest - December 2024

Inflation for the Midwest came in at 3% (+0.4%); the U.S. came in at 2.9% (+0.2%). Prices for housing and services grew the most at 4.9% and 4.4% year-over-year increase; only 2 of 12 items showed a year-ov

January 15, 2025 Andrzej Wieciorkowski
Jobs & Our Economy
Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update - November 2024

Iowa’s employment situation remains relatively strong but continues to weaken. In November, the state boasted the 10th lowest unemployment rate, two spots higher than last month. It also ranked 10th highest

December 20, 2024 Andrzej Wieciorkowski
Jobs & Our Economy
Inflation in the Midwest - November 2024

Inflation over the last year remained at 2.6% for the Midwest. It was 2.7% for the U.S., up from 2.6% in October. Since the pandemic, overall inflation in the Midwest is 22.1%—lower than the United States’

December 11, 2024 Andrzej Wieciorkowski
Crime & Public Safety
The Economic Benefit of Iowa Remaining a Low Crime State

Iowa is one of the safest U.S. states and has saved $3.8 billion in direct costs associated with crime compared to the average U.S. state.