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Iowa's Free Enterprise Report: 2025 Edition

The Free Enterprise Report is a marquis report that provides an objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis of the Iowa economic landscape and the state’s most pressing issues. The study is a year long undertaking and includes the CSI Economic Performance Index as well as a Free Enterprise Competitiveness Index across eight different policy areas.

Both indices provide an opportunity to look backwards and better understand where Iowa has been and what direction we are moving. We can better understand how we are performing relative to other states and we can equip policy makers, civic and business leaders with the best understanding of how our state is performing, where we are winning, where we are losing and how free enterprise principles can get us back on track.

 

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Crime & Public Safety
The Impact of Financial Fraud in Iowa

CSI estimates reported fraud alone will have a $225 million reduction in state GDP on Iowa’s economy in 2025

August 21, 2025 Ben MurreyThomas Young
Education
The Back-to-School Spending Burden in Iowa

Iowa families in 2025 face the lowest financial burden from back-to-school spending in over a decade, relative to their incomes.

August 20, 2025 Wyatt Bailey
Jobs & Our Economy
Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update - July 2025

In July, Iowa gained 300 jobs and revisions indicate June performed better than initially expected.

August 19, 2025 Andrzej Wieciorkowski
Jobs & Our Economy
Economic Impact of the Iowa State Fair 2025

This year’s Iowa State Fair contributed $179 million to the state’s GDP and $93 million in personal income.

August 18, 2025 Andrzej Wieciorkowski