Workforce Solutions

The Siouxland tri-state region continues to experience tremendous growth through current business expansion and companies choosing Siouxland as their new home. Site Selection magazine has consistently ranked Siouxland in the top three for economic development for metros under 200,000 in population for 13 straight years, with eleven of those years at #1.

With this success comes challenges. Our most significant challenge remains low unemployment rates in the region, and therefore a shortage of workforce across many occupations and sectors. Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota have consistently ranked in the top 5 lowest unemployment percentage over the past 12 years. Here is a closer look:

Iowa: Current unemployment rate - 3.3%. The last time Iowa was above a 5% unemployment rate was October 2012.

Nebraska: Current unemployment rate - 2.9%. The last time Nebraska was above a 5% unemployment rate was January 2011.

South Dakota: Current unemployment rate - 1.9%. The last time South Dakota was above a 5% unemployment rate was February 2011.

Siouxland (Sioux City, IA-NE-SD): Current unemployment rate - 3.8%. The last time Siouxland's unemployment rate was above 5% was March 2013.

Siouxland is actively addressing the workforce shortage with a number of initiatives.

• Supporting Iowa's West Coast Initiative's (IWCI) efforts to promote entrepreneurial growth, including support for the development of the Innovation Center in downtown Sioux City
• Continuing to update our local business community on workforce and economic development incentives offered by Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota such as childcare and housing programs
• Advocating for area high schools as they expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across state lines, giving more kids a chance to explore potential pathways, including the Sioux City, Iowa Career Academy and the four academies in South Sioux City, Nebraska
• Engaging in programs centered around meaningful immigration reform efforts
• Planning and hosting the Tri-State Governors' Conference with the Governors of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota - held every two years with a focus on workforce
• Partnering with local businesses and local governmental bodies to improve our quality-of-life amenities in an effort to attract and retain the workforce. Notable projects include PlyWood Trail, Riverfront development, Cone Mountain Bike Park, and the pedestrian bridge connecting Iowa to South Dakota.
• Participating in the Iowa Talent Poll project led by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for recruiting potential employees to the area, including working with IEDA as part of a two-year pilot program for talent attraction, the This is Iowa nationwide campaign to recruit potential employees wanting to move to Iowa
• Advocating for workforce housing initiatives
• Planning and hosting the annual Health & Mental Wellness EXPO
• Discussions about the lack of access to child care as an impediment to growing the workforce
• Adding a member of Siouxland GO (Growth Organization) to the Chamber Board of Directors
• Creation and ongoing support for Explore Siouxland, the regional destination marketing organization (DMO)