Workforce

Business Advantages

The people who choose to live and work in Allamakee are educated and productive. 41 percent have worked at their present place of employment at least 10 years. 78 percent of residents are willing to drive a 10- to 30-mile daily round trip to work. With workers also willing to commute from surrounding Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin counties, the total labor force expands to over 132,182. In the Iowa counties alone, 5,982 hard working people are willing to seek new employment opportunities.

Placing your industry in Allamakee County has all the business advantages of locating in Iowa. Plus an abundance of natural beauty, recreation, and leisure activities. We also have an excellent education system and access to health and other quality community services.

Labor Force

Resident Labor Force: 7,610

Labor Force Male: 941

Labor Force Female: 941

Unemployed: 4.6%

Resident Unemployed: 350

Resident Total Employment: 7,260

Area Labor Force: 132,182

Training Programs

The Iowa State Department of Labor says it all, concerning our educated, productive workforce. "Our employees are more productive per hour than the national average."

  • The Iowa Retraining Program has low-interest loans, or forgivable loans available for up to $50,000 to retrain your employees. There is also training funds available through the Small Business New Jobs Training Program.
  • The Iowa New Jobs Training Program offers customized classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and other training activities for employees. An employer is reimbursed up to 50 percent of the new employees' wages. Your firm may qualify for other assistance through the Job Training Partnership Act.
  • The Iowa New Jobs and Income Program provides a package of tax credits and exemptions, and job training dollars. Businesses making a capital investment of at least $10 million, creating fifty or more jobs that meet wage and benefit targets, are eligible.

Stability

  • Reasonable Wages
  • Work Stability: 57 percent of persons surveyed had worked for their current or most recent employer for more than five years. 41 percent had worked 10 to 20 years at their most recent employment.
  • Commute Distance: The people who choose to live and work in Allamakee County are educated and productive. 41 percent have worked at their present place of employment a least 10 years. 78 percent of residents are willing to drive a 10-30 mile daily round trip to work. With workers also willing to commute from surrounding Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin counties, total labor force expands to over 132,182. In the Iowa counties alone, 5,982 hardworking people are willing to seek new employment opportunities.

Potential Workforce Size

Allamakee County Laborshed Report

Allamakee County Economic Development recently completed a regional and county wide Laborshed Data Analysis. This data includes the Allamakee County laborshed data as well as an analysis for the understand the local labor market and make informed expansion and site selection decisions.

Laborshed studies show the distribution of the workers irrespective of natural or political boundaries, address underemployment, the availability and willingness of current and prospective employees to change employment within the workforce, current and desired occupations, wages, hours worked, distance willing to commute to work as well as fringe. If any questions, please contact the ACED office at 563-568-2624.

Waukon, IA Laborshed Area Analysis (Interactive)
Waukon, IA Laborshed Area Analysis (Executive Summary)
Northeast Iowa Business Network Regional Laborshed Area Analysis (Interactive)
Northeast Iowa Business Network Regional Laborshed Area Analysis (Executive Summary)