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WESTERN IOWA REGION MAINTAINS HIGH EMPLOYMENT IN 2005

Officials cite numerous job opportunities in the region in 2006

CARROLL, Iowa (Feb. 13, 2006) — Based on recent statistics and business announcements, workers may want to check out western Iowa if they’re looking for excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing and, most importantly, jobs with competitive wages and good benefits. Western Iowa Advantage, an eight-county regional economic partnership, recently announced workforce statistics for the month of December 2005 and the outlook for economic growth in the area is strong.

“Overall, the trend for the Western Iowa Advantage region was increased employment in 2005,” said Shirley Phillips, executive director, Sac Economic & Tourism Development, a member of Western Iowa Advantage. “One of the objectives of our regional marketing effort is to provide more job opportunities so we expect these numbers to keep climbing in 2006.”

Throughout the eight-county region, job opportunities are available in a variety of companies. Some of the opportunities include:

• Scranton Manufacturing in Scranton will be adding approximately 20 - 40 jobs over the next year. Long-term plans call for up additional openings over the next three years. The company produces New Way refuse collection equipment.
• American Home Shield in Carroll is ramping up to add 40 positions by July 2006. The company offers home warranty protection on major residential systems and appliances.
• In Denison, Farmland Foods is investing $81 million in its facility and adding at least 200 jobs over the next two years.
• West Central Cooperative based in Ralston currently has over 20 positions available, ranging from biodiesel operations to sales and management.
• Midwest Industries, Inc., manufacturer of ShoreLand’r Boat Trailers and ShoreStation Lakefront Systems, is building a new 40,000 square foot warehouse in Ida Grove. The company will be adding approximately 11 new employees to staff the facility, which is scheduled for completion in late May.

According to figures released from Iowa Workforce Development, the regional monthly unemployment rate decreased to 4.2 percent in December 2005 from 4.4 percent in December 2004. Total employment for the region was flat at 45,004 in December 2005 compared to 45,470 in 2004. Iowa’s unemployment rate for December 2005 was 4.5 percent while the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

County unemployment rates in the Western Iowa Advantage region for December 2005 ended as follows: