John Deere has announced it will lay off 141 more workers in Iowa, a move that underscores ongoing struggles in the state’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The layoffs affect employees at the company’s Davenport and Dubuque facilities. In a press release, the Iowa Democratic Party says this comes as Iowa continues to face a challenging economic environment, with a new report from Iowa Workforce Development showing 65,000 Iowans unemployed. Democrats also say that the state’s economic growth remains stagnant, ranked 49th in the country for overall growth and 48th in personal income.
Experts warn that trade disputes, particularly with China, and the impact of tariffs are contributing to the downturn. Meanwhile, Iowans are also grappling with rising prices on basics like coffee and concerns over local business closures.
