CRMEA July/August 2018

MEDQUARTER MOVES FORWARD ON MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
WITH NEW GREEN SPACES AND MEDQ MILE • IOWA CAN’T AFFORD A LONG-TERM
COSTLY TRADE WAR • CEDAR RAPIDS METRO GDP GROWTH COMPARED TO SIMILAR METRO AREAS
REPORT
JULY/AUGUST 2018

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
July
LFS College & Intern:
Time Management and
Transitioning to the Workforce
July 16, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Coe College - Athletic Recreation Complex
1220 First Ave. NE
19
Cedar Rapids Downtown
Farmers’ Market
July 21, 7:30 a.m. - Noon
Downtown Cedar Rapids
23
16
For our full Calendar of Events including
member events, visit www.cedarrapids.org.
BizMix: Marion Block Party
July 19, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
700 11th St. Marion
21
Food and Beverage Forum
July 23, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
See all market dates at
crdowntownmarket.com!
31
Employee Engagement -
Motivating Performance
Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m. - Noon
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
14
Hiawatha Business Summit -
Young Professionals
Aug. 14, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Dave Wright Nissan
999 Boyson Road Hiawatha
2 JULY/AUGUST 2018
4
Social Media for Non Profits
July 31, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Kirkwood Iowa City Learning Center
1810 Lowe Muscatine Rd.
Iowa City, IA
3 August
Cedar Rapids Downtown
Farmers’ Market
Aug. 4, 7:30 a.m. - Noon
Downtown Cedar Rapids
TechBrew AM with Eddie Etsy
Aug. 14, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
501 First St. SE
14

Jacq, Corporate Marketing
Seth, Information Services
Nathan, Underwriting
Usha, Project Management
Laura, Corporate Marketing
Quinson, Surety
Shawn, Risk Control
Tara, Service Center
YOU?
Dawn, Claims
Aaron, Underwriting
Kirstin, Corporate Underwriting
Daniel, Claims
Cora, Claims
Ryan, Underwriting
We’ve We’ve found found our our place place at at UFG. Will you?
Visit ufginsurance.com/careers to see our current openings.
UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC. | 118 Second Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 | www.ufgInsurance.com | 800-332-7977

Celebrate Your Holiday's With Us!
DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex
The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate your
organization and the accomplishments of another year.
It is also a time to remember those in our community that
have needs greater than themselves.
DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex
will give you the opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the
season while giving back to the community around us.
Book your holiday party at the
Doubletree by Hilton Cedar Rapids
Convention Complex
in December 2018 or January 2019,
using our Holiday Package and 4% of
the revenue from your event will be
donated in your name to one of the 4
local charities. It is our way of making
Happy Holidays 4 Everyone.
We've got an excellent space with the
flexibility to accommodate 5 to 5,000.
To Book your Holiday Party
Please call the Sales & Catering
Office at (319) 731-4512
DoubleTree By Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex
350 First Avenue NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
4 JULY/AUGUST 2018

WORRYING ABOUT
TARIFFS, TRADE
& OUR ECONOMY
Doug Neumann,
Executive Director
This isn’t just idle fretting about trade policy. For our regional economy, this is real.
I’ve talked to local businesses using large quantities of imported steel or aluminum that have seen material
prices jump 25 to 40 percent this summer. For some, it’s already affecting business. And for exporters, the
impact might be even worse. One Iowa State University estimate puts Iowa farmers’ losses for pork alone at
$560 million related to new Chinese tariffs. Any impacts to corn and soybeans would add to that number.
Melissa McCarville
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Ellen Bardsley
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Clarissa Koch
GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST
Judith Cobb
CBJ ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Corridor Business Journal
PRINTING & CIRCULATION
WWW.CEDARRAPIDS.ORG
ON THE COVER
The Cedar Rapids Metro
Economic Alliance and The
Technology Association of Iowa
host bi-monthly TechBrew AM
networking events in Cedar
Rapids where TAI President,
Brian Waller conducts casual
interviews with CIOs who
share their favorite music for
TAI’s “Vinyl Tuesday,” discuss
their career path and share
what’s most important for the
Iowa technology community
moving forward. June’s
featured technology expert
was Cammie Greif, Co-Founder
of TaxAct. TechBrew AM is an
informal networking event for
entrepreneurs, technologists,
business people and funders.
We’ve also heard from companies that haven’t yet seen cost or price fluctuations but whose worries about
commodity market volatility have caused slowdowns in production or delays to planning for future growth.
Companies in the Cedar Rapids area alone export just shy of $1 billion of product annually. For all of Iowa, the
number is $13.2 billion. Whether its cereal, animal food, machinery or feed grain, our local and state economies
are inextricably linked to international trade. For even more information about this issue, don’t miss our Public
Policy update on Page 12 of this Report.
The Economic Alliance is paying attention and doing what it can. As we’ve been out on our regular business
calls, we’ve asked what you’re seeing in your industry. The data is important to quantifying impact and
forecasting what’s to come. More important than data are the stories. Your stories matter as we pass them
along to lawmakers and others who might be able to influence trade policy. We’ve upped our communication
and advocacy efforts via a series of letters and meetings with our delegation. While I doubt President Trump
receives our Economic Alliance Report in the Oval Office, I know the field officers and policy officials from our
Congressional delegation are reading this.
Like many pro-growth policies we advocate for, free and fair trade generally has strong bipartisan support,
particularly from Iowa lawmakers. Economic Alliance members and the lawmakers who represent us should be
able to forge a unified voice on this.
Our latest move is joining the U.S. Trade Council, a new organization working to unify and amplify voices like
those businesses in this region that need free and fair trade policy to sustain their business. The Council seeks
what it calls “forward-thinking” trade policy, which acknowledges that trade policy is dynamic and complex but
that trade is critical for the growth of the economy.
Most organizations with names like U.S. Trade Council are based in Washington, D.C. This one is based in Iowa,
and focuses largely on trade issues that impact the Midwestern agriculture and advanced manufacturing sectors.
We have strong working alliances with leaders of the Council, and I trust this can make an impact. I’d like to get
more Economic Alliance members involved with the U.S. Trade Council. If you want additional details, check out
their website at www.USTradeCouncil.com. I’d also invite companies that have a major stake in trade, to call or
email me at dneumann@cedarrapids.org to learn more about our efforts and how we can work together.
This Economic Alliance Report is chock full of positive business news, so please read on. But all that progress
is certainly threatened if the worst scenarios in tariff and trade issues create heavy headwinds for our many
international businesses.
Regards,
Doug Neumann
Executive Director
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
5

IOWA BIG IS A
WIN-WIN-WIN
At Iowa BIG, the community is the classroom for high school
students. Some days the classroom is in the middle of a cornfield
collecting water samples for a water quality project. Other days, it’s
presenting to the Linn County Board of Supervisors about individuals
struggling with food insecurity. Iowa BIG is a partnership with area
school districts that connects high school students with businesses to
provide an experience-based learning environment.
Third Avenue Pocket Park
Amanda Zhorne and Laura Seyfer lead the charge at Iowa BIG. As
Strategic Partnership Specialists, they work with community partners
to bring students’ projects to fruition. The business community plays
an important role in Iowa BIG’s success by creating projects for
students to work on during the school year. The Economic Alliance is
proud to partner with Iowa BIG and welcome Zhorne and Seyfer to
our extended team as employees of our organization.
MedQ Mile Walk
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Van Meter, Inc. has a history of partnering with Iowa BIG. CEO Lura
McBride sees it as a win-win-win. “The students develop new skills
and gain tremendous exposure to the community. Businesses are
able to tap into the next generation of workforce and gain valuable
insight,” said McBride. “It also gives our employees additional
coaching and leadership opportunities.”
Iowa BIG is an opportunity for the business community to engage and
mold our future workforce. If you’d like to get involved as a project
partner, mentor or more reach out to Amanda and Laura directly at
azhorne@iowabig.com or lseyfer@iowabig.com.
6 JULY/AUGUST 2018

MEDQUARTER MOVES FORWARD ON MASTER DEVELOPMENT
PLAN WITH NEW GREEN SPACES AND MEDQ MILE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Three projects are underway in the MedQuarter that work
towards the District’s Master Development plan adopted in
2014.
Third Avenue Pocket Park
Located on the Northeast corner of Third Avenue & Eighth
Street SE, this 6,356 square foot parcel of land is being
developed into a place where pedestrians and bicyclists can go
to relax and enjoy nature in the heart of the MedQuarter. When
completed, this location will provide opportunities for future
programming such as yoga classes, musical events, food truck
stops and other special events. It also can serve as the trailhead
for the soon to be formalized MedQ Mile walking route.
MedQ Mile
As a means to promote healthy activities for employees and
visitors within the District, representatives from Linn County
Public Health, Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization,
City of Cedar Rapids, CarePro Health Services, Mercy
Medical Center, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, Surgery Center
and UnityPoint Health performed a walk audit to assess the
walkability and safety of the MedQ Mile. During the walking
audit, the 1.1 mile loop, which circles Mercy Medical Center,
was found to be in good condition and well suited for
pedestrians and people in wheelchairs. For a map of the MedQ
Mile, head to www.themedq.com/plan-your-visit/things-to-do/
medq-mile.
Fourth Avenue Greenspace
This 3,000 square foot residential lot is located mid-block on
the north side of Fourth Avenue between Seventh & Eighth
Street SE. Due to the small size of the lot, the MedQuarter
chose to establish a greenspace where pedestrians can relax
and enjoy the outdoors. With Fourth Avenue designated as the
primary greenway in the MedQuarter Master Development Plan,
and identified as a connector between Wellington Heights and
the “Cultural Quad” conceptualized in the 2017 Downtown
Framework Plan, this parcel could be used for other purposes in
the future.
These projects, combined with the MedQuarter’s Master
Parkway Improvement Plan and District Wayfinding Program
which are currently in the planning stage, are helping the
District realize its vision of providing an elevated patient
experience and an overall wellness experience to all visitors and
MedQuarter employees.
Third Avenue
Pocket Park
A greenway created by 20-foot setbacks on each side of
4th Avenue will provide space for pocket parks and other
wellness-oriented spaces, enhance the attractiveness
and identity of the MedQuarter, and create an attractive
environment for future redevelopment.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
7

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ORDINARY BECOMES
Extraordinary
WITH DISTRICT BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS
Downtown and Czech Village/New Bohemia are a little more
colorful thanks to two beautification projects. Both projects,
storm drain murals and community pianos, are part of the
Economic Alliance’s community development work and serve
to create core districts that draw in more people to visit, live
and work.
Storm Drain Murals
More often than not, you probably walk past storm drains
without giving them a second thought. New life has been
breathed into seven downtown storm drains that are sure
to stop you in your tracks. Thanks to a partnership between
Downtown Cedar Rapids, the City of Cedar Rapids and Iowa
BIG, local artists were commissioned to create storm drain
murals that communicate an important lesson on the storm
water cycle: what goes down the storm drain, ends up in the
Cedar River. Grease, cigarettes and trash are forbidden from
being dumped down the storm drains. Take a tour of the storm
drains at the following locations:
• Two drains located between 1st and 2nd Avenue SE can
be accessed along 3rd Street SE via the alley adjacent to
Theatre Cedar Rapids.
• One drain located between 2nd and 3rd Avenue SE can
be accessed along 3rd Street SE via the alley adjacent to
White Star Ale House.
• One drain located between 3rd and 4th Avenue SE can be
accessed along 3rd Street SE via the alley adjacent to the
Cornerstone building.
• One drain located between 1st and 2nd Avenue SE can
be accessed along 2nd Street SE via the alley adjacent to
Red’s Public House.
• One drain located between 2nd and 3rd Avenue SE can
be accessed along 2nd Street SE via the alley under the
skywalk, adjacent to the Cornerstone building.
• One drain located between 3rd and 4th Avenue SE can
be accessed along 2nd Street SE via the alley adjacent to
Edward Jones.
Community Pianos
Seven new community pianos from West Music recently made
their way to the downtown area. Like the storm drain murals,
artists transformed the pianos that are placed outside of local
businesses. Most of the pianos line Third Street Southeast,
known as a Signature Street.
Third Street’s Signature
Street designation came from
earlier versions of the Vision
Downtown Cedar Rapids
plan, which provided a broad
understanding of downtown’s
purpose and helped to direct
the energy and resources
of future downtown
development opportunities.
Third Street connects the downtown core to the New Bohemia
neighborhood. Strategic approaches have been taken to enrich
the street, like redeveloping surface parking lots to create
more urban density, streetscape improvements, encouraging
pedestrian interaction and investing and encouraging local
galleries, studios and shops.
Find community pianos in front of each of these businesses:
• Theatre Cedar Rapids (102 Third St. SE)
• The Lost Cuban (209 Third St. SE)
• Cedar Rapids Public Library (450 5th Ave SE)
• Iowa Brewing Company (708 Third St. SE)
• Fong’s Pizza (1006 Third St. SE)
• Brewhemia (1202 Third St. SE)
• Popoli Ristorante & Sullivan’s Bar (101 Third Ave SW)

LARGE INVESTOR NEWS
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY TO 100
PERCENT RENEWABLE GOAL
MidAmerican Energy Company will be the first investor-owned
electric utility in the country to generate renewable energy
equal to 100 percent of its customers’ usage on an annual
basis, upon completing its newest proposed wind energy
project.
MidAmerican Energy's recently announced an additional
investment of $922 million with its Wind XII project. The
project is expected to be completed in late 2020. Over the
past three years, MidAmerican Energy has moved forward with
its previously announced Wind XI and repowering projects,
that when combined with Wind XII, will provide customers
with 100 percent renewable energy on an annual basis.
And, like MidAmerican’s previous wind projects, Wind XII will
be accomplished without the need to ask for an increase in
customers’ rates.
MidAmerican Energy’s investment in renewables has helped
make Iowa a national wind energy leader. Iowa leads the
country in the percentage of electric generation coming from
wind.
“Iowans are used to leading the way. We believe to our core
that it is our responsibility to use the resources we are given
in the best way possible. It’s that sustainable approach that
has led Iowa to achieve the highest percentage of power
generation coming from wind energy, more than any other
state,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds stated. “And, it doesn’t
hurt that we have a company like MidAmerican Energy that has
taken the long view and is forward-looking in its goal to provide
sustainable and affordable energy to its customers.”
Economic benefits for Iowa: When combined with
MidAmerican Energy’s other projects, the 591 megawatt Wind
XII project will allow the company to provide renewable energy
each year that is equal to 100 percent of the energy consumed
by the homes and businesses in MidAmerican Energy’s Iowa
service area.
The company estimates Wind XII will create more than 300
full-time jobs related to construction and another 28 fulltime
positions for ongoing operations and maintenance. In
addition, Wind XII will provide an average $6.9 million per year
in additional Iowa property tax payments on wind turbines
and nearly $5.6 million more in annual landowner easement
payments.
In 2017, MidAmerican Energy paid $19.6 million in Iowa
property taxes on wind turbines.
“This is an important step forward for our company, our
customers and the state of Iowa,” Wright said. “In addition to
delivering on our promise to customers, we are also helping to
make Iowa a more competitive place to do business – ensuring
that our economy continues to grow and thrive. This historic
moment is something we are proud to share.”
The company is currently exploring potential wind farm
sites in Iowa and will announce wind farm locations prior to
constructing each site.
MidAmerican Energy will continue to use its natural gas, nuclear
and coal-fueled plants to ensure reliable electric service even in
times of low wind.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
9

KNOW YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS!
Ribbon Cuttings &
Ground Breakings
Ribbon cuttings aren’t just for
new businesses. Any important
milestone for your business is
worthy of recognition with a
ribbon cutting!
There are many benefits to being a member
of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.
Some may be more apparent than others! The
Economic Alliance wants members to take
advantage of ALL benefits offered. Check out
these too often unrealized opportunities.
FACILITY
RENTAL
If you’re looking for a
large conference room
or simply need a small
workstation, we have
17,500 square feet of
facility space available
for members to rent.
2018
Please join us for our 22nd annual Chamber BizMix,
July 19 from 5–7pm, 700 11th Street in Marion, across from
Marion City Park. Free entry, margaritas, beer, salsa music, and
catering by Carlos O Kelly’s! Visit www.marioncc.org for details!
10 JULY/AUGUST 2018
EXECUTIVE
LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM
This program is perfect for executives relatively new
to the area. Spouses/partners are included and form
networks with other executives in the community
while learning about valuable resources in the region.
ADVERTISING
Share your message with our 1,200 member
businesses! There are a variety of options to fit
your advertising goals and budget. Get more
information at www.cedarrapids.org/advertise.

AMBASSADORS WELCOME
NEW BUSINESSES WITH
WARM SMILES AND
GIANT SCISSORS
Red coats. Giant scissors. Golden shovels. A welcoming smile. By now,
you probably know we’re referencing the Ambassadors. If you’re not
familiar with the Ambassadors, think of them as the welcome committee
of the business community.
From staffing monthly BizMix networking events to attending ribbon
cuttings and ground breakings, to helping educate the community on
Economic Alliance initiatives and opportunities to get involved, the
Ambassadors play a vital role in the Economic Alliance’s business support
efforts. Our core function of business support is dedicated to creating
a strong business environment which supports all employers. The
Ambassador program is a partnership between the Economic Alliance
and the Marion Chamber of Commerce. The partnership provides even
more connectivity within the business community.
Ryan Shenefelt, Digital Accounts Manager at de Novo Alternative
Marketing is one of the newest Ambassadors. He had been involved with
the Economic Alliance through the Leadership for Five Seasons program
and the young professionals group ImpactCR prior to becoming an
Ambassador.
Ambassador events often occur during the workday, requiring a certain
amount of flexibility from participating employers. Ryan and de Novo
see his involvement as both a smart community and business decision.
Just as Ryan is an Ambassador for the Economic Alliance, he’s also an
ambassador for de Novo, representing the marketing agency during
important milestones for businesses.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Ambassador applications open twice
a year in March and September. Any
employee of a current Economic
Alliance or Marion Chamber of
Commerce member is encouraged to
apply. Reach out to Business Relations
Specialist Jody Guither at jguither@
cedarrapids.org with any questions.
Summer is an especially busy time
for the Ambassadors, with multiple
ribbon cuttings and ground breaking
events each week. Find a full listing of
upcoming events on our website at
www.cedarrapids.org/membership/
member-benefits/ribbon-cuttinggroundbreaking.
“One of my favorite parts of being
an Ambassador is feeding off the
excitement of the business hosting
the ribbon cutting. It’s a really
special moment to see their face
light up when they’re about to cut
the ribbon.”
Ryan Shenefelt,
Ambassador Since 2018
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
11

IOWA CAN’T AFFORD A LONG-TERM
AND COSTLY TRADE WAR
Talk of impending tariffs, trade agreements and trade wars have been a part of the nation’s dialogue
since President Trump took office and began considering different approaches for American
participation in the international trade economy.
Iowa businesses, including many within our region, have a vested interest in international trade
policies due to the dominance of the manufacturing, agriculture and agri-business industries. With
the increased discussion of imposing tariffs on imports and exports, even companies outside those
industries are in jeopardy of price increases on products they sell and purchase abroad.
The Economic Alliance has long supported trade policies that make it easier for Iowa small business
owners, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and farmers to sell their products abroad by eliminating taxes
and trade barriers on American goods. Advocating for pro-growth trade deals has proved challenging
over the past year and a half.
138,000
JOBS AT RISK IN
WITHDRAWING FROM
NAFTA
Efforts aimed at updating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
between the U.S., Canada and Mexico have continued to stall. According to the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, withdrawal from NAFTA would put more than 138,000
Iowa trade industry jobs at risk. Canadian and Mexican tariff increases that would
follow the termination of NAFTA would prove detrimental for companies that buy
and sell products anywhere from paper to steal and even bourbon, not to mention
corn, eggs, soybeans and beef. The list goes on. While modernization of the
24-year-old agreement may be necessary, total termination is unacceptable.
PUBLIC POLICY
In addition to the challenges with the NAFTA renegotiations, President Trump’s strategy to level the
trade playing field with China has caused angst for many area businesses. These taxes on imported
goods from Canada, China and Mexico (three of Iowa’s top four trading partners) on items made from
things like plastic, paper, steel, aluminum and cotton and the retaliation threats from those countries
on exported American goods, does not bode well for business
certainty.
According to the International Trade Administration within the U.S.
Department of Commerce, in 2016 the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
metropolitan areas together exported over $1.2 billion in goods.
Simply put, trade fuels our economy and we can’t afford to be in
long-term and costly trade war. As you have contact with federal
elected officials, we urge you to reiterate the importance of trade to
our local economies and ask they continue to press the President to
protect Iowa’s business owners, manufacturers and their employees.
$1.2B
IN GOODS EXPORTED
IN 2016 BY
CR AND IC MSAS
12 JULY/AUGUST 2018

IMPACTS OF THE EASTERN IOWA AIRPORT
AS A REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSET
Air service is a critical regional economic development asset.
Airport Director Marty Lenss emphasized this fact last month
during The Eastern Iowa Airport’s inaugural State of the Airport.
Lenss shared updated economic impact results during the
event, noting 3,435 jobs are supported by the Airport with
estimated total wages at $171 million. Annual economic
activity generated by the Airport and activities it supports
totals $451 million.
The Eastern Iowa Airport broke its annual passenger record in
2017, serving 1.14 million total passengers, or 30 percent of
Iowa’s total passenger traffic.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
National competition between communities for sustainable,
reliable and convenient air service has never been more
intense. Success can only be achieved with focused regional
efforts and the willingness by area businesses, community
leaders and governmental units to invest in their local air
service. The Economic Alliance is committed to supporting
The Eastern Iowa Aiport, so last year we agreed to Fly Local.
We encourage our members to look at the hidden costs of
employees flying out of competing airports, like the cost of
gas, rental car fees, staff time spent driving, hotels, etc. and
consider committing to our region’s airport and signing the
Fly Local pledge as well. Regional business and community
leaders must come together if they are to provide meaningful
improvements in service.
The Eastern Iowa Airport “Market Analysis & Catchment
Study” highlighted significant potential to attract additional
passengers to CID in order to achieve and sustain reliable
Doug Neumann, Executive Director, Cedar Rapids Metro
Economic Alliance, and Marty Lenss, Airport Director,
The Eastern Iowa Airport, commemorate the Economic
Alliance’s commitment to Fly Local.
improvements in air service for the region. The study noted
a “True Market” size of 1.75 million air passengers – or 14
percent of the Airport’s primary market – leak to a competing
airport, like Des Moines or Chicago. By maintaining the 86
percent of the market that currently flies with The Eastern Iowa
Airport and capturing a portion of the 14 percent of those
who travel to a competing airport, the Airport would further
enhance their ability to increase flight frequencies, improve
the reliability of existing service and boost the potential of
increasing the number of nonstop cities served to/from the
Airport.
Consider joining the Economic Alliance and 18 other businesses
and organizations and make a commitment to Fly Local today
by contacting Airport Director Marty Lenss at m.lenss@flycid.com.
CEDAR RAPIDS METRO GDP GROWTH
COMPARED TO SIMILAR METRO AREAS
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all final
goods and services within an area in a given period. GDP is a
good indicator in tracking economic health of a city, region
or country. The Economic Alliance is focused on economic
growth, thus we closely track GDP of the Cedar Rapids metro
area. In fact, it’s one of the top three metrics we track,
including workforce growth and member satisfaction. Our
goal is that our efforts in all organizational core functions,
including business retention and expansion will grow our
area’s GDP.
So, how are we doing? If we compared the Cedar Rapids
metro area to other cities of similar size and similar industry,
we’re doing quite well. Between 2007-2016, we averaged
10 percent growth in GDP per capita. Other metros similar to
Cedar Rapids have not seen such tremendous growth. In the
same period, the Evansville, IN & KY metro saw 7.9 percent
decline. Green Bay, WI’s metro saw 0.3 percent growth and
Sioux Falls, SD’s metro saw 0.7 percent growth.
Our projected GDP growth continues on a very positive
trend. The last measured GDP per capita for the Cedar Rapids
metro area was $59,147 in 2016. If past trends continue,
forecasts indicate we’ll achieve a $63,640 GDP per capita
by 2021.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
13

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING
AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL INTERNS WITH
LFS COLLEGE & INTERN PROGRAM
Collectively across the region, and from our Economic Alliance
members, we understand that recruiting and retaining
sufficient workforce is a top concern. We are working together
as a region to collectively strengthen our communities and
strategically attract and develop the necessary talent for
growth.
Businesses attract interns from near and far. Today’s interns
are tomorrow’s full-time employees, and ultimately, we want
those employees here. While ICR IOWA, the new external-facing
brand for our seven-county region and the new name for our
regional economic development group, is charged with leading
the efforts to market our region, grow our workforce, and
recruit more businesses and individuals to locate here - part of
the Economic Alliance’s assistance in the regional workforce
strategy for the last seven years lies within the Leadership for
Five Seasons College & Intern Program.
This year’s program is made up of two components to provide
interns with professional development opportunities and to
showcase what it’s like to live here in Iowa City - Cedar Rapids
(ICR).
Senior Diversity Officer, and Kris Bridges, Director of Human
Resources at Coe College. The program addressed the
value and importance for businesses to build a diverse and
inclusive organization, how businesses attract and retain a
diverse workforce, and shared practical tips for how young
professionals can contribute to and develop leadership skills
within an inclusive team.
There are more opportunities for interns to participate! Save
these dates for the remaining Intern Summer Series events and
share them with interns in your office:
Time Management and Transitioning to the Workforce
Monday, July 16 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Athletic Recreation
Complex, Coe College
It can be challenging to transition from college student to
working professional. Learn practical time management tips
from professionals who have spent several or many years in
the workforce. From dress to professionalism to how to get
involved in your community, to more, we’ll discuss the many
aspects to consider when transitioning to a full-time job and
workplace setting.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
The Quality of Life component of the program kicked off with
150 interns gathering on Coe College’s campus for a Welcome
Reception last month. Interns had the opportunity to network
with each other and receive an official welcome from Cedar
Rapids Mayor Brad Hart. The next Quality of Life event is the
College & Intern Progressive Dinner on Saturday, July 21 where
local restaurants in Downtown Cedar Rapids, Kingston Village
and Czech Village/New Bohemia take center stage.
Presented in conjunction with Coe College, the Intern Summer
Series, the professional development component of the
program, kicked off in late June. This marked the first of three,
free professional development sessions on topics important to
college students soon entering the workforce. Area business
leader, Duane Smith, CEO of TrueNorth Companies opened up
the evening with an executive spotlight where he provided
career advice and insight. With professional expertise in
Insurance, Risk Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, and
Succession Planning, Smith also shared his passion for helping
others improve strategically, providing vision and instilling
confidence in others.
Following the executive spotlight with Smith, interns
participated in a team dynamic and team building in diverse
workplaces professional development program led by
Erik Albinson, Vice President of Student Development and
Networking and Professional Branding and Behaviors
Monday, August 6 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Athletic Recreation
Complex, Coe College
How you present and brand yourself in your first job is critical
to your success. In addition to wanting to put your best foot
forward, you will also be asked to represent your employer
during sales calls, networking events or various meetings.
During this session, you will learn and practice how to network
(think elevator speeches and such). We will also discuss
how to make sure you are paying attention to your personal
brand, whether that be in person, online or in your daily
correspondence (think LinkedIn and email!)
14 JULY/AUGUST 2018

MEMBER
SPOTLIGHT
How a Passion
for dance
sparked
a studio
MEMBERSHIP
Cedar Rapids native Vanessa Terrell has a long history with
dance. As a young girl, she took countless dance lessons. While
studying at the University of Iowa, she began teaching dance at
Donna’s Dance Place in Cedar Rapids. After teaching at Donna’s
for eight years, she decided to purchase the dance studio,
reopening the space as The Pointe School of Dance. That was
two years ago, and business has never been better. The Pointe
School of Dance recently relocated to accommodate their
growing demand. Vanessa shares how her passion for dance
sparked her to open The Pointe School of Dance.
Tell us about The Point School of
Dance.
We offer dance classes starting for children aged 18 months
through adult classes, for both men and women. Types of
classes available include ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, to
name a few. We operate a retail space on-site called The
Dance Shop at The Pointe that sells dance shoes, clothing and
accessories.
As a Cedar Rapids native, how did
you decide to stay here to open
your own business?
I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to open my own
dance studio. In fact, I told my mom just that when I was in
eighth grade, after coming home from school one day. Being
a teenage girl is…hard, and I wanted to give other girls what
dance gave me.
In high school, I never thought I’d end up living here. Then, I
went to the University of Iowa to pursue a degree in dance and
started building connections. During that time, I realized that
Cedar Rapids is a unique place where I can make a living doing
what I love. My husband Dan, who I own the dance studio with,
and I can afford to travel where we please while still having a
nice quality of life here.
You recently relocated - where did
you move and why?
In our last space, our lobby and parking lot were always full. In
just two years we took on a lot of new students and outgrew
the space. But I guess that’s a good problem to have! Last
month we officially moved one block west and are now located
at 225 Northland Court NE. We went from two studio rooms to
four and increased our class schedule from 75 classes per week
to close to 100 per week.
Learn more about The Pointe School of Dance on their website,
www.thepointeschool.com.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
15

NEW
MEMBERS
ACES
5417 Nordic Dr., Cedar Falls, IA | www.acesiowa.com
Capital One
1680 Capital One Dr., McLean, VA | www.capitalone.com
DexYP
2200 West Airfield Dr., P.O. Box 619810, DFW Airport, TX
www.dexyp.com
HandsUp Communications
4211 Glass Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.handsupcommunications.com
Julia-n-LeChef
426 First Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.crchef.com
ShopWhereILive.com
P.O. Box 1008, Marion, IA | www.shopwhereilive.com
There’s No Quit! Kickboxing and
Self Defense Studio
1317 7th Ave. Ste. A, Marion, IA
The Y. For a Better Us.
150 years of improving lives
in the Cedar Rapids community.
BECOME A
MEMBER TODAY!
Receive access to all five locations in the area plus
any YMCA in the country, a large variety of free
fitness classes daily, discounts on programs, financial
assistance, free child watch and much more!
Coming up in 2018:
June 8th-10th -
Camp Wapsie Alumni Reunion
June 9th -
Camp Wapsie Centennial Celebration
August 25th -
“Cranking for 150 More” Y Bike Ride
August 27th -
Golf Classic Fundraiser
November 3rd -
YMCA 150th and Camp Wapsie 100th
Anniversary Celebration Gala
YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area | www.crmetroymca.org