Iowa’s manufacturing sector faced a tough month in July, according to the latest Mid-America Business Conditions Index from Creighton University. The state’s index fell to 43.7, well below the 50.0 growth-neutral mark, signaling contraction in the industry.
Key indicators showed weakness across the board. Employment dropped sharply, with a reading of 33.2, contributing to a four-month streak of regional job losses. Meanwhile, Iowa’s exports of manufactured goods fell 10.3% compared to the first five months of 2024, totaling $6.2 billion.
The index also revealed rising wholesale inflation, with regional supply managers expecting input costs to climb nearly 8% in the coming year due to tariffs and trade uncertainty…