The Union County Development Association is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Creston area. This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Creston’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a Laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns.
The purpose of this Laborshed study is to measure the availability and characteristics of Creston area workers. Laborshed studies are useful tools for economic development teams and existing or prospective employers to understand the local labor market, make informed expansion and site selection decisions, and maintain/recruit a high quality workforce.
For the success of this study, letters will be sent to employers in Creston asking that they provide aggregate counts of their employees’ residential ZIP codes. This will allow the UCDA, IWD, and IEDA to determine what the scope and scale of Creston’s Laborshed area is and better understand where Creston’s workforce resides.
A confidential survey of residents will also be conducted to collect workforce characteristic information specific to the area. Residents will receive a letter directing them how to take the survey online and/or they will receive a telephone call to take the survey. sThe survey call originates out of Cedar Rapids therefore, the incoming number will have the 319 area code. It is possible that residents may receive a text message from their 888 number as well, alerting them to expect a call. Survey questions will cover topics such as: employment status, current and desired wages, current and desired benefits, education level, and type of occupation among other things. However, Iowa Workforce Development will not be asking survey takers identifiable information such as: name, social security number, or date of birth.
Every year Iowa Workforce Development conducts Laborshed studies across the State. The results of each analysis are publicly available online at www.iowalmi.gov/laborshed. Those with questions about the Laborshed project, please contact Katie Lippold at 515.281.3035 or Wayne Pantini at 641.782.2003.
