Swenson, David A.; Eathington, Liesl

October 2003

This research is designed to produce benchmark statistics for regional economic development strategies and policies. By identifying 35 functional economic regions in Iowa, and further detailing their respective economic strengths, weaknesses, similarities, and dissimilarities, the opportunity for better and more focused economic development policy at the local and the state level emerges. This report explains the criteria used for identifying and ranking Iowa’s 35 largest regional economies, and it introduces the reader to statistics that allow us to compare and contrast regions with each other. Measures include job growth, average earnings, industrial composition, and population change. One of the benchmark indicators will involve measuring the degrees of alignment that the regions have with the state’s targeted industry cluster strategies. By broad category – life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and information services – we will statistically compare each region so that its relative targeted industry strengths and weaknesses can be explored.

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