The economy is improving this month, according to the Consumer Reports Index for July. Job creation increased to 51.1, its highest level since April 2009. The report showed that 7.8 percent of Americans started a new job versus 5.7 percent who lost their job.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of minority-owned businesses increased by 45.6 percent between 2002 and 2007, more than double the national average of 18.0 percent for all U.S. businesses. The number of women-owned businesses also surpassed the national average with a 20.1 percent increase.

State legislation passed during the 2010 Session requiring Iowa employers to provide 30-day advance notification of a layoff or closure impacting 25 or more employees is now in effect.