The rating on Sioux City, Iowa's bonds reflects: * A regional economy with strong links to the agricultural sector, * Sound financial position, and * Moderate debt. Sioux City is a regional economic center for west-central Iowa and portions of South Dakota and Nebraska. The agricultural sector is centered predominantly in meat processing, with IBP Inc. (headquarters and processing - 4,500) and Morrell Inc. (1,350) listed as leading employers. Manufacturing and services also contribute to the economy, with Gateway 2000 (headquarters and computer manufacturing) and St. Lukes Medical and Marian Health Centers employing 4,000 and more than 1,000, respectively. Steady growth in employment and labor force has kept the unemployment rate low at 4% in 1997. Good financial performance continues,
