The state of Iowa deserves an A for manufacturing and human capital, according to a report released Friday, but an F for its tax climate.
The 2018 Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card, released by the Ball State Center for Business and Economic Research and Conexus Indiana, also gave Iowa a B+ in logistics, a B for its “expected fiscal liability gap” — anticipated funding stream issues for its bonds and pension obligations — and a C in global positioning and diversification.
Its grade for productivity and innovation dropped from a B- to a C-, and from a C to a C- in benefits costs.
Iowa was one of only five states awarded an A in manufacturing.
For the tax climate ranking, the report took into account business and individual income taxes, sales, unemployment, and insurance and property taxes, the report’s website explained. Its data is cited from the Tax Foundation and U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Only four other states received an F for their tax climates.
The Ball State Center for Business and Economic Research is based in Indianapolis.
For comparion, the report did not give its home state, Indiana, below a C in any of the categories.