The Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a laborshed employment study for the Fort Dodge area.

This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Fort Dodge’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns.

The purpose of this laborshed study is to measure the availability and characteristics of Fort Dodge area workers. Laborshed studies are useful tools for economic development teams and existing or prospective employers to understand the local labor market, make informed expansion and site selection decisions, and maintain/recruit a high-quality workforce.

Letters are being sent to randomly selected households asking residents to take a confidential online survey. Survey questions will cover topics such as: employment status, current and desired wages, current and desired benefits, education level, and type of occupation. Iowa Workforce Development will not be asking survey takers identifiable information such as: name, Social Security number, or date of birth.

Following the conclusion of the online surveying efforts IWD will conduct telephone surveying in the area through a third-party vendor. The same survey questions asked in the online survey will be asked of those who participate in the survey on the phone and, again, no identifying information will be collected. All the survey answers collected will be combined and reported together. Individual answers are completely confidential.

If you have any questions about the laborshed project, please contact Katie Green at mary.green@iwd.iowa.gov or 515-499-1391 or Jefferson Fosbender, economic development director with the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, at jefferson@greaterfortdodge.com or 515-227-7124.