Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham says state incentives for manufacturers must evolve as Iowa’s workforce shrinks and ages.
Durham says the focus has shifted from the sheer number of jobs created to the quality of those jobs. She says automation is playing a growing role in industries such as pharmaceuticals, noting she has visited companies in countries including India that manufacture prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Durham says automation increases productivity and improves workflow, while also enhancing worker safety. In industries such as food production, she says automation can reduce injuries caused by highly repetitive tasks.
