WORK | LABORSHED ANALYSIS

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A laborshed is defined as the area or region from which an employment center draws its commuting workers. The Iowa Lakes Corridor has a Laborshed study updated every three years. All information reported in the laborshed analysis is based on the number of respondents; 1,125 surveys were completed in 2012. The information reported is in aggregate form. The total potential laborforce from the four-county region of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet is 132,008.

Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Corridor, said, “Our recent laborshed analysis informs us, as well as existing and prospective employers, that our region has a diverse mix of industries, skills, abilities and work experiences and a potential laborforce two times our population.”

The laborshed analysis was conducted in the summer of 2012, following the collection of zip code information from area employers. The zip code information was entered into a geographical information system mapping program to generate the concentration levels and commuting patterns of employees in the region. Telephone surveys were then conducted on more than 1600 residents/employees in the region between the ages of 18 and 64.

Laborshed summaries of the four nodes, Storm Lake, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Estherville, are available, as well as a regional analysis. They are also available by specific industries: advanced manufacturing and food processing. Here you can view all of the summaries. Full detailed reports are available for a fee at the Iowa Lakes Corridor office. Please contact us for more information.