CRMEA Aug Sept 2018

MARKET AFTER DARK DESCENDS ON DOWNTOWN SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
DRIVING THE ECONOMY THROUGH BUYING, GIVING AND GROWING LOCALLY
BUILDING OUR 2019 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES • FORECASTING TALENT NEEDS 2019 AND BEYOND
REPORT
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
August
14
Hiawatha Business Summit -
Young Professionals
Aug. 14, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Dave Wright Nissan
999 Boyson Road Hiawatha
Join us to celebrate 100 years of the
Cedar Rapids Area
Chamber of Commerce!
16
16
Cedar Rapids Downtown
Farmers’ Market
Aug. 18, 7:30 a.m. - Noon
Downtown Cedar Rapids
24
Market After Dark
Aug. 25, 6:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Downtown Cedar Rapids
For our full Calendar of Events including
member events, visit www.cedarrapids.org.
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
ParkCR Citation Forgiveness Blood Drive
Aug. 16, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
349 4th Ave. SE
BizMix: King’s Material Inc.
Aug. 16, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
650 12th Ave. SW
18
LFS Alumni Golf Outing
Aug. 24, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ellis Golf Course
1401 Zika Ave. NW
25
MAR KET
AFTER
DAR K
Brought to you by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
2 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
29
September
Cedar Rapids Downtown
Farmers’ Market
Sept. 1, 7:30 a.m. - Noon
Downtown Cedar Rapids
20-21
ImpactCR BigWig Lunch Talk: Chris Skogman
Aug. 29, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library
450 5th Ave. SE
1
Last market
of the season!
Iowa Ideas & Next Gen. Summit
Sept. 20-21
DoubleTree by Hilton
350 1st Ave. NE

93
ENTRANCE
MARKET AFTER DARK
DESCENDS
Dark Backgrounds
ON DOWNTOWN
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1st St. SE
vENUE mAP
nOW aVAILABLE!
1 2 3 4
A
ID
Robot
Dancer
Cobble Hill
The Paramount
97 96 95 94 5 6 7 8 9
La Cantina
Red’s Public House
2nd St. SE
101 100 99 98
106 105 104 103 102
F
Junk
Funk
ID
Penguin’s
2nd Ave. SE
92 91 90 89
MARKET
AFTER
DARK
Brought to you by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
6
Need Pizza
Rock Bar
B
US
Bank
ID
Alley Feature
Grin N Goose
Lost Cuban
Pub 217
Hills Bank
3rd Ave. SE
E
3rd St. SE
Town Center
Plaza
Facepainting /
Glow Bar by
Blaze
ENTRANCE
ENTRANCE
Alley Feature Alley Feature
4th Ave. SE
Theatre
Cedar Rapids
ID
1
76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67
INFO
BOOTH
White Star
5
Brick’s
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Country
Underground
80 79 78 77
NXT
Bank
Hazaard County
5 SEASONS RAMP - ENTRANCE
ON FIRST AVENUE
ENTRANCE
25 26 27
2
28 29 30 31
Tycoon/
Fat Wally’s
DJ
Matt Rissi
Yard Games
88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57
56 55 54 53 52 51 50
NORDSTROM
2018
WICKWIRE
CHIROPRACTIC
42 41 40 39 38
Greene Square
5th St. SE
KCRG
Cedar Rapids Museum
of Art The
Gazette
Entrance
Barricade
K ZIA
32 33 34
4
3
ID
Cedar Rapids
Public Library
Alisabeth
Von Presley
Performing
Live!
C
VANDERGINST
LAW
ID
D
35 36 37
49 48 47 46 45 44 43
STAGE
LEGEND
Beverage Tent
Restrooms
First
Presbyterian
ID Wristbands/
On Saturday, August 25, an anticipated 30,000 people will
head to Downtown Cedar Rapids for one of the community’s
favorite events, Market After Dark. In its fourth year, Market
After Dark will bring together market vendors, dazzling
performances and unique nightlife ambiance for an evening
unlike any other.
ID Check
Entertainment
Before Market After Dark kicks off at 6:30 p.m., grab a parking
spot either on-street outside of the venue for free or in nearby
parking ramps for $5. Your parking spot is secure until the next
morning at 10:00 a.m. If needed, leave your car overnight and
find safe alternative transportation home.
More than 100 vendors will line the streets of Downtown Cedar
Rapids. As a nighttime market, you’ll find a unique variety of
vendors than what you typically find at a morning Downtown
Farmers’ Market. Find more prepared food options, fun retail
offerings and more. A full vendor list and map is available at
www.cedarrapids.org/marketafterdark.
Within the market venue, take part in the open container
environment (only applies to beer, wine and cider) with our
new Market After Dark souvenir cup! On your way in, stop by an
ID tent for a wristband, then make your way to a beverage tent
to purchase the souvenir cup for $6. Your first drink is included
with your purchase. Use it all night long, with refills for $5.
6th St. SE
Parking
Sponsors
10 of soul
performing
live!
The open container policy starts at 6:30 and ends promptly at
10:30 p.m. Participating establishments are also taking part in
the open container policy, check out a list at www.cedarrapids.
org/events/market-after-dark/downtown-partners.
It wouldn’t be Market After Dark
without plenty of entertainment.
Alisabeth Von Presley will rock
the main stage from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. Quad Cities-based 10 of Soul
take over at 9:00 to finish out the
night. And remember – no outside
chairs are allowed in the venue.
Other performers will be peppered
throughout the market. Three
alleyways will be transformed in a
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PRESENTING MEDIA SPONSOR
MAJOR SUPPORTING SPONSOR
We need
volunteers!
Shifts are available
before, during and
after the event!
Sign up at
www.cedarrapids.org/
marketafterdark
way you’ve never seen before in Downtown Cedar Rapids, think
Secret Garden, Starry Night and more - but you’ll have to see
them for yourself.
Market After Dark is part of our efforts to grow core districts
in Cedar Rapids and support surrounding communities. We
hope to see you Downtown on August 25 for this vibrant, yet
economically impactful event. All event details are at
www.cedarrapids.org/marketafterdark.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
Supporting – Nordstrom and Wickwire Chiropractic and
Wellness Center
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
3

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A CENTURY
OF PROGRESS
Doug Neumann,
Executive Director
The Economic Alliance has had the distinct opportunity this year to reflect on our organization’s past with the 100th
anniversary of one of our legacy organizations, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. This month, we’re
officially commemorating that anniversary with a celebration during the BizMix hosted by King’s Material from 4-6
p.m. on Thursday, August 16.
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
This is a special event, not only because we’re going to raise a glass, eat cake and celebrate the Chamber’s 100 years
of progress, but also because this networking opportunity is being hosted at King’s Material - the family business of
our current Board Chair Charlie Rohde - which has a history all its own. In fact, Charlie, too, is following in his own
family’s legacy of leading as the Chamber, just as his father C.P. Rohde did in 1976 as the Chamber board chair when
he was leading Midland Forge.
Looking back 100 years, the challenges and opportunities the Chamber of Commerce
worked through are surprisingly similar but also very different from our work and goals
today.
Walter Cherry led the very first board of the Chamber of Commerce. He was an executive
at the old JG Cherry Company – which later became Cherry-Burrell and later still Evergreen
Packaging Co., which remains a member of the Economic Alliance to this day, 100 years
later.
Significant changes were taking place in Cedar Rapids in 1918. The organization had a
new look and feel from a rebranding effort, leaving the Commercial Club name behind and
reincorporating as the Chamber of Commerce. The organization also moved into a newly
constructed Roosevelt Building. The organization was poised for post-World War I growth.
Specifically, at that time, new technologies equated to opportunities for job growth in the
area and industrial growth. There was huge economic development opportunity in 1918
with the Cherry building development underway, the Higley building, the YMCA building,
a new ice cream factory. And the City of Cedar Rapids had recently purchased May’s Island
and began formal development of that land bridging the east and west sides of the city.
Walter Cherry,
as published on page 7 of
The Cedar Rapids Gazette on
Dec. 23, 1941
ON THE COVER
Food and Beverage Forum
participants tour The Hotel
at Kirkwood Center’s kitchen
classrooms. The new Food &
Beverage Forum is designed to
bring together producers and
purveyors, restaurant managers,
brewery and distillery owners,
chefs, bartenders, and food
industry creatives for discussion
and brainstorming on best
practices. Forums provide peer,
industry-specific insight on a
variety of topics paired with
hands-on learning from experts in
the field.
From a workforce standpoint in 1918, new jobs were about to be available with great
job base growth. Two new schools were opening. And the Chamber was the leading advocate for transportation
infrastructure. Work was being done to expand downtown to make it automobile ready as all brick paving had just
been completed for the shift from horses to the automobile.
Within the first year as a Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber had successfully lobbied for Hwy 30 – the coast-tocoast
Lincoln Highway - to come through Cedar Rapids. And because the new highway was required to go through
the county seat in each county it went through, the Chamber coupled with that highway advocacy an initiative to
move the county courthouse to Cedar Rapids.
The Chamber back then was a Cedar Rapids-only organization and didn’t represent the metro area or the region the
way we do today. But interestingly, it led all aspects of economic development – business attraction and expansion,
downtown development, business support, public policy and quality of life efforts. The core functions of our work
today are not that different from what they were in 1918.
A hundred years ago, businesses came together to work in a unified way to help business succeed, to grow the
economy and to make the community a great place. A century later, almost 1,200 member businesses continue to
see the value in joining together to do much the same thing. That’s something to celebrate!
Sincerely,
Doug Neumann
Executive Director
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
5

100 YEARS OF PROGRESS
CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF THE
CEDAR RAPIDS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance was formed in
2012 after a merging of our three legacy organizations: the
Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Priority One and the Cedar
Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Officially formed in 1918,
the Chamber was built to support a strong economy and
a better business community. The Chamber was created from
the Commercial Club, established in the 1880s. This year,
we celebrate a century of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber
of Commerce. We look forward to the next dynamic and
momentous hundred years serving the Cedar Rapids area!
1918
JCPenney &
Montgomery Ward
department stores on
First Avenue
1918
Dues were $25 in 1918
(equivalent to $408
today, not far off from
what current smallest
employers pay at $425)
1920s+30s
Downtown District
established to
support Downtown
business & retail
post WWII
Arthur A. Collins,
of Collins Radio Company,
as was published on page 56 of
The Cedar Rapids Gazette on
March 14, 1954.
Chamber advocated
for more flights for
Collins Radio Company
(now Rockwell Collins)
integration

1970s
1950s
Cedar Rapids becomes
second largest city
in Iowa
1960s
Local artist,
Grant Wood,
designs
Chamber crest
Tourism Bureau, once a
function of the Chamber,
is established as an
independent entity
1990s
Priority 1 established
as economic development
entity
2012
Downtown District,
Priority One and
Cedar Rapids Area
Chamber of
Commerce
merge to form the
Cedar Rapids Metro
Economic Alliance
2016
ICR IOWA
created with
regional focus on workforce
and business attraction
PLEASE JOIN US
ALONG WITH THE
CEDAR RAPIDS METRO
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
FOR A BIZMIX!
an enjoyable evening of food,
drink and networking
bring your business card for
a chance to score great door prizes
Help us celebrate the Chamber’s 100 th year
of existence with a cake and champagne toast!
Thursday, August 16 th · 4:00pm–6:00pm
Thursday, August 16 th · 4:00pm–6:00pm
King’s Material · 650 12 th Ave SW · Cedar Rapids
kingsmaterial.com
King’s Material · 650 12 th Ave SW · Cedar Rapids, IA · kingsmaterial.com
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
7

LARGE INVESTOR NEWS
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS DRIVE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2008’s record-breaking flooding left widespread
devastation across Cedar Rapids. But, when it
came time to clean up the mess and rebuild,
the city saw an opportunity to create an even
better community than the one the flooding
had destroyed. “We had a unique opportunity
in Cedar Rapids to be able to incorporate all the
elements it takes to make a healthy community
as we rebuilt,” says Sandi Fowler, assistant city
manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. “In the 10
years since the flood, we have seen a night and
day change.”
Working with Healthy Hometown SM Powered by
Wellmark enables the city to focus on improving
residents’ quality of life and making it easier to
get around within the community.
In 2017 alone, Cedar Rapids completed 26
pedestrian and bike-friendly projects, improving more than
seven miles of pavement across the city. The city’s Complete
Streets policy made it the first city in the state to purposefully
design streets for all users — not just cars. Several one-way
streets downtown were converted to two-way streets, which
slows traffic speeds and increases walkability — improving
the vitality of shops, restaurants and other businesses in
the downtown core. More than 2,000 new, fully accessible
sidewalk ramps have been installed throughout the community,
with the goal of installing 4,000 over a four-year period.
In addition to the street conversions and sidewalk
improvements, Cedar Rapids has also made great strides when
it comes to cyclist safety. The addition of both shared and
protected bike lanes have made cycling much safer around
the city and significantly contributed to Cedar Rapids’ goal
of increasing the number of people who bike to work. Cedar
Rapids also implemented the state’s first green bike lanes,
which are installed 50 feet before and after intersections to
help encourage drivers to be alert to cyclists.
Sandi Fowler, assistant city manager, City of Cedar Rapids
“We knew that building a community that encourages healthy
living would be attractive to people — especially younger
people — looking to relocate,” says Fowler. “Businesses got on
board immediately. They had wanted it to be easier to bike and
walk to get somewhere in the community for a long time.”
City and community leaders also embraced the changes,
seeing the potential when it came to the city’s economic
development. “The transformation that I’ve seen in the last 10
years is one where our citizens are able to enjoy so much more
about the community,” says Fowler. “Not just where people live
and work, but everything in between.”
Large Investor News submitted by Wellmark Blue Cross
and Blue Shield.
One of the main forces driving the improvements — especially
the changes to Cedar Rapids’ built environment — was the
goal of creating a place where people would want to relocate.
8 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

NEW DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
Downtown Cedar Rapids Sucks.
That’s the name of a new social media video campaign
sparking conversation and demanding attention. The first
of four videos launched in late June and aims to pique
interest in living downtown. Watch the video for yourself on
Downtown Cedar Rapids’ Facebook, Instagram
(@downtowncedarrapids) and Twitter (@downtowncr)
pages. The campaign’s landing page, DTCRSucks.com, is
populated with facts and figures about downtown housing
and links directly to housing options.
BUSINESS SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Subsequent videos will center on events, quality of life
and businesses. Alongside urban housing, the video topics
support existing efforts to grow Downtown as a core central
district in Cedar Rapids.
Do we think Downtown Cedar Rapids sucks? No. Downtown
Cedar Rapids is vibrant, lively and cultured. Too often,
in Iowa and here locally, we can be humble about our
successes and how truly amazing our communities are. With
satire, the campaign aims to ignite conversations about and
draw attention to Downtown Cedar Rapids.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT NEXT GEN.
SUMMIT 2018
Bringing new ideas to life. Communication skills for
negotiations and collaborations. Building a meaningful life
beyond career success. These are just a few of the topics you’ll
hear about at Next Gen. Summit 2018, happening September
20-21 in Downtown Cedar Rapids.
ImpactCR, with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
and EPIC, with the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce are
teaming up again to present Next Gen. Summit! The event will
bring together the best and brightest for a high-energy, handson
event. Next Gen. Summit was created to inspire, empower
and develop young professionals. In 2018, we’re going bigger
than ever before. Next Gen. Summit will be offered as a track at
The Gazette’s Iowa Ideas conference. Your ticket to Next Gen.
Summit gives you access to any sessions offered in any other
track at Iowa Ideas!
Next Gen. Summit has traditionally been a single day
conference, but this year you’ll be able to keep the momentum
going for an additional half-day. Here are a few highlights to
look forward to over the two days:
Presented by
BROUGHT TO YOU BY IMPACTCR & EPIC
Thursday
• Bringing a New Idea Forward with Mandy Weber of
NewBoCo.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY IMPACTCR & EPIC
• Lessons Learned: Advice from the Pros; soak up some
knowledge from people who have been in your shoes
before.
Friday
• Keynote speaker, Zachary Mannheimer, Founder of the Des
Moines Social Club, will speak about building opportunities
related to creative placemaking in Iowa.
• Idea Building – What makes an idea great and how to turn
it into action. Take what you learned over the two days
and find ways to apply it in real life.
Purchase your ticket now at www.iowaideas.com.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
9

DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH
THROUGH BUYING, GIVING AND
GROWING LOCALLY
You have the power to drive economic growth by supporting
local businesses and non-profits. Buying, giving and growing
here can make a big impact with a far-reaching ripple effect
by keeping dollars here and growing GDP. Thus the motivation
behind Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here, launching this month.
Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here is the Economic Alliance’s buy
local campaign that will bring to center stage locally owned
businesses, nonprofits and business building resources that
drive our economy. Watch for their inspiring stories of success
through the remainder of the year and learn how purchasing
from local goods and service providers benefits the greater
community.
Buy Here
You have $100 to spend. If you choose to spend it at a local
business, the total economic impact on the local economy is
$68, compared to $43 when spent with chain competitors.*
Dollars spent locally circulate in our community creating a
greater place to live and work.
“Infusing more dollars locally
strengthens our economy and
empowers local businesses to
grow here.”
• BUY HERE • GIVE HERE • GROW HERE
-Charity Tyler,
Business Support Innovation Council Chair
CEDAR RAPIDS
AREA
• BUY HERE • GIVE HERE • GROW HERE
CEDAR RAPIDS
AREA
We’re looking for 12 local businesses to tell their story about
what makes their business unique and how they add value
to the local economy. The campaign will offer each selected
business exposure on social media platforms, websites as well
as TV, newspaper and radio marketing opportunities. The
application to be considered opens on August 14 at
www.cedarrapids.org/business-resources/buy-here-give-here-growhere.
The application will close on September 14 at 4:00 p.m.
• BUY HERE • GIVE HERE • GROW HERE
Give Here
Local nonprofits make up an important part of the business
community. We’ll highlight those that have a hand in solving
one of the most pressing issues in the region: workforce
availability. Consider supporting nonprofits that are developing
and upskilling today and tomorrow’s workforce, or that serve as
CEDAR RAPIDS
a community resource to support AREA the workforce. Look for a list
of participating nonprofits soon.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Grow Here
Area business owners and founders are driven by hard work and
creative initiative. If you want to start your businesses here,
there are countless resources at your disposal. Their stories of
success and why they chose to grow their business here soon.
Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here is part of the Economic
Alliance’s Business Support core function, that is dedicated
to creating a strong business environment supporting all
employers.
*Source: Andersonville Study of Retail Economics.
10 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

LEADERSHIP COMPONENT
REIMAGINED FOR ADULT
CLASS OF 2019
LFS Adult Class of 2017 learns from area leaders during Education Day.
BUSINESS SUPPORT BUSINESS SUPPORT
Each August, 35 of the best and brightest leaders in our
community embark on a ten-month journey known as the
Leadership for Five Seasons Adult program. Leadership for Five
Seasons (LFS) is a premier community leadership program that
focuses on developing top talent through a formal leadership
curriculum. LFS provides participants with community
knowledge, connections and inspiration to make a positive
impact on the community.
The LFS Adult Class of 2019 will be the first in 36 years to
experience the program’s reimagined leadership development
component led by Nate Klein, Vice President for Student
Success at Mount Mercy University and a graduate of the LFS
Adult Class of 2017. Leadership development will be everpresent
at each phase of the program through the Leadership
Practice Inventory (LPI) assessment tool and True Colors, a
personality-identification system. Klein is a Certified True Colors
Facilitator.
Prior to the program’s two-day retreat on August 9 and 10,
each class member will take part in an assessment tool called
the Leadership Practice Inventory (LPI). LPI will measures the
participant’s leadership skills based on input from themselves,
IMPACTCR ADVISORY BOARD
APPLICATIONS OPEN SEPT. 1
If you’re looking for an opportunity to build your leadership
skills outside of your 9 to 5, engage Cedar Rapids young
professionals and build your network, this is your chance. Apply
for the ImpactCR Advisory Board starting September 1. The
application will be available at www.cedarrapids.org/businessresources/programs-and-networking/impactcr
and will close on
September 30. If you’re not a young professional yourself, but
you know one who would excel the position, nominate them!
In addition to your professional experience, this is what we’ll
want to hear about on your application:
• Involvement on boards and committees, volunteer
work and leadership roles held.
• Why you are passionate about ImpactCR’s mission to
create experiences to connect young professionals to
people and places in our community.
• One professional reference.
their supervisor and those who report to them. Based on the
results, an action plan is created for each participant focused
on growing their leadership skills.
From there, the class will continue their LFS journey on nine
education days, discovering the community through lenses like
agriculture, human needs, economic development and history.
Each education day will include programming that tackles a
different leadership development component.
Before the program’s graduation in May 2019, the LPI
assessment will be administered again to measure just how
much the participant has grown as a leader and what they’re
bringing back to their employer.
“I look forward to focusing on
self-awareness in leadership
development. Leaders can’t
help others unless they first
understand themselves.”
-Nate Klein
We seek young professionals with expertise in (or the desire
to learn about) membership recruitment, event planning, data
analytics, and insight on issues impacting young professionals.
Board positions are two year terms and begin in January. If you
have any questions, reach out to Jordan Atwater, Leadership &
Business Programs Specialist at jatwater@cedarrapids.org.
Thanks to our
Presenting Sponsor
Thanks to our
Supporting Sponsor
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
11

BUILDING OUR 2019
PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES
Certain times of the year our public policy advocacy efforts are publicly
front and center. Other times, the work is being done behind the scenes,
as is usually the case over the summer months. Of course, in the public
policy world, there are always exceptions, as you read about our aggressive
advocacy on international trade policies that affect our local economies.
This summer’s behind the scenes work includes gathering input and ideas
to build consensus for our 2019 public policy priorities and is equally
important to the advocacy work we do on behalf of our members.
Using our guiding principles, which can be found on our website at
www.cedarrapids.org/business-resources/public-policy/public-policyprinciple
and unfinished work from previous years, we begin seeking input
on what priorities our members want us to concentrate on in the coming
year. Sometimes we have an item on our agenda for multiple years, like
federal funding for flood protection. Although, you won’t find that on our
agenda next year, as it was recently awarded to the City of Cedar in the
form of $117 million dollars. Other times, the item is on our agenda for
only a year before we see success.
Feedback from member meetings, direct input from our Innovation
Councils, Policy Board and other governance committees provide us with
direction on policy matters our members want us to engage in. We also
work in sync with our regional partners on the municipal and county levels,
as well as the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.
That process sets in motion our plans and then political realities decide
our tactics to achieve success. It is at this point when our association with
like-minded statewide groups become the most useful. The Professional
Developers of Iowa (PDI), the Iowa Association of Business and Industry
(ABI) and Iowa Chamber Alliance (ICA) are among our most effective allies
within the advocacy world.
ICA, a non-partisan coalition of the 16 largest Chambers of Commerce
and economic development organizations throughout Iowa, provides the
Economic Alliance strength through numbers. Each year the group puts
forth an agenda to grow the state’s economy through support of policies
and programs that stimulate economic growth opportunities for the entire
state and its residents.
PUBLIC POLICY
The ICA coalition focuses on pro-growth, pro-business policies and by
working together we will continue to create significant, positive changes
that will prepare Iowa for the future. For each of the 16, the first and most
important voice we need is from our members. It is your stories, needs, and
ideas that we seek to continue to work for aggressive, forward-thinking
statewide policies that make Iowa stronger.
Contact Barbra Solberg, Public Policy Strategist, at bsolberg@cedarrapids.org to
share your story, ideas or thoughts on future public policy agenda opportunities.
12 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
PROJECTS REPRESENT LARGE GROWTH
OPPORTUNITY
Existing businesses can represent some of the largest growth
opportunities. Statistically, 80 percent of a community’s growth
comes from existing business projects. To date, the Economic
Alliance has assisted four expansion projects with Freund-Vector
Corporation, Timberline Manufacturing, World Class Industries
and Van Meter Inc. In total, these projects have represented
110 new jobs and $32 million in capital investment.
BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION
We anticipate even more project news soon, with 17 projects
in the current pipeline. These represent expansion project
details we’ve received from businesses that could mean
building out at an existing location, creating new jobs within a
current facility or building a second location in the area.
Compared to this time last year, we have more than double
the number of projects in the pipeline. See a snapshot of the
potential impact these projects represent, indicted by jobs
created, including the average wage, and capital investment.
As a result of the Economic Alliance’s renewed focus specifically
on retention and expansion of existing businesses, we are
updating one core function to reflect the work. Whether
you’ve noticed them before or not, each article in the monthly
Economic Alliance Reports are categorized by core function:
IN THE PIPELINE
Includes projects in the following industries; Advanced
Manufacturing, Engineering & Automation, Biotechnology
& Biopharma, Educational Tech. & Services, Food &
Ingredients, Industrial Biotech & Bioprocessing, Insurance
& Finance, Logistics & Distribution, Medical Tech. &
Services
BY THE NUMBERS
17
PROJECTS
$28.13
AVERAGE WAGE
227
JOBS
$87M+
CAPITAL INVESTMENT
Business Support, Community Development, Public Policy or
Business Retention and Expansion. That last core function may
sound unfamiliar. Work done in our previously named core
function of Economic Development will now be referred to as
Business Retention and Expansion.
As ICR IOWA leads regional efforts in workforce development
and business recruitment, we hope this change clearly and
concisely communicates the Economic Alliance’s and ICR
IOWA’s respective roles in regional economic development
work.
If your business envisions growth or an expansion on the
horizon, make us your first call. We can connect you to the
resources, people, and programs to potentially save you time
and money.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
13

ELECTRONICS
ENGINEERS
NURSING
ASSISTANTS
FORECASTING
PRODUCTION
WORKERS
Talent Needs
2019 & BEYOND
HEALTHCARE
SUPPORT
WORKERS
REGISTERED
NURSES
ASSEMBLERS
& FABRICATORS
What will the hiring demand and talent needs of ICR IOWA look
like in 2019 and beyond? ICR IOWA and Kirkwood Community
College recently partnered to find out with the Skills Talent
Forecast (the Forecast). After collecting data from more
than 140 employers in Iowa City – Cedar Rapids, ICR IOWA is
bringing workforce partners from across the region together
to determine how to respond to the most pressing talent
demands. The data is also being used to create workforce
attraction, retention and development strategies that support
employer needs.
ICR IOWA, and all of Iowa, really, is seeing record low
unemployment rates. It’s a double-edged sword; because it
means people have jobs and are working, a good thing. For
employers, it proves challenging and can hinder growth. There
are more open jobs than there are people to fill them.
People with ties to Iowa – or at least the Midwest – are more
likely to consider an opportunity to relocate here. But how
do we find them? We are pursuing a relationship with the
Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) based on their amazing
program called the Iowan Project. The Iowan Project can
provide contact information of people in the technology
industry who may be interested in coming back to Iowa for the
right opportunity. With TAI’s help, we may be able to scale this
program to our other critical industries.
Another audience with ties to Iowa, and in this case ICR IOWA,
is University of Iowa alumni. The University of Iowa’s Center
for University Advancement and Alumni Association have been
fantastic partners. They are helping us connect
directly with University of Iowa alumni across
the country.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Employers that participated in the Forecast will create nearly
1,900 new jobs by the end of next year. From the Forecast
and a few other sources, we’re projecting there will be a
need to hire a total of 5,584 jobs. Industries with the largest
anticipated jobs needs have been pillars in our economy for
decades. They include engineering, education and healthcare,
with technology-related positions within each industry showing
high demand as well. Data from the Forecast show almost
half of new jobs created in 2019 will come from these three
industries.
Careers within the three pillar industries include electronic
engineers, registered nurses, physicians, computer and
information systems managers, post-secondary teachers,
education administrators and more. These careers require a
degree, often an advanced degree, meaning the salaries have
the ability to entice relocation.
14 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
We’re competing for talent nationwide, not
just in the Midwest. We must sell what makes
us unique to those considering relocation. We
have short commutes, major college athletics,
an arts culture, incredible health care, walkable
communities, friendly and hardworking
neighbors and top-notch local restaurants and
businesses. It’s a great place to live. And now,
thanks to this data, we know the exact kind of
people we need to bring home to enjoy it.
If you have questions about the Skills Talent Forecast or would
like to see the full report, contact Tim Carty, Director of Talent
Attraction at tcarty@ICRIOWA.org.

MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP
As the only nonprofit, independent school in Cedar Rapids,
Summit Schools is committed to preparing students to work in
the evolving, information-centered, global community of the
21st century. This year marks its 20th anniversary. Larisa Bickel,
Director of Business & Management, has been with Summit
Schools since the beginning. She shares more on the school for
this month’s Member Spotlight.
Tell us about Summit Schools.
We believe children can affect positive change in the broader
world. We offer private prekindergarten, elementary and
middle school. Additionally, we have various programs that
are open to all students in the metro area, including tutoring,
summer programs and learning extension camps during inservice
days at other area schools.
What makes Summit Schools unique?
Our goal has always been to teach children where they are and
how they are. Grades are less important than where a child
is in their learning. Many families seek us out because we use
the Orton-Gillingham method, which focuses on multisensory
learning. Our instructional approach practices emphasize a
personalized approach to learning. Children are partners in
their education. Parents also sit down with teachers at the
beginning of each school year to set goals for their child.
As an independent school, we draw in students from across
the metro area, resulting in a very diverse school. Everyone
feels very connected; almost all the kids know each other,
across all grades. Kids have free movement between multi-age
classrooms as well as mentoring.
Learning occurs everywhere. On “Flex Fridays,” middle school
students gain real-world knowledge and skills by venturing out
into the community to incorporate different types of learning.
Past Flex Fridays include working on class projects at the
Cedar Rapids Public Library, field trips to the Herbert Hoover
Presidential Museum & Library and to Iowa State University’s
Office of Precollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted
(OPPTAG) Investigation Series.
MEMBER
SPOTLIGHT
Summit Schools
celebrates
two decades
of brilLiant
beginnings
It’s Summit Schools 20th anniversary! How
are you celebrating?
We traditionally host a back-to-school social welcoming
families to the new school year, so we’re using the opportunity
to commemorate this 20-year milestone. On Friday, August
17 from 5-7 p.m. at the school (1010 Regent St. NE, Cedar
Rapids), former students, staff and families are invited back to
help us celebrate. The community is encouraged to attend and
learn more about Summit Schools. We have openings for the
2018-2019 school year! Enrollment is available through mid-
March each year.
Learn more about Summit Schools at www.summitschools.org.
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT
15

NEW
MEMBERS
Buckets Photography
400 First St. SE, Apt. 108, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.williampbuckets.tumblr.com
Country Financial
1215 Jordan Street, North Liberty, IA |
www.representatives.countryfinancial.com/peg.fraser
Game On
4625 Tower Terrace Rd., Cedar Rapids, IA
Hawks’ Nest Sports Bar & Grill
6535 4th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA | hawks-nest-sports-bar-and-grill.business.site
Holly Adams Consulting
P.O. Box 11394, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.hollyadamsconsulting.com
LocalsLoveUs-Cedar Rapids
3581 Quarter Dale Ct., Iowa City, IA | vote.localsloveus.com/cedar-rapids
Mitch Valentine State Farm Insurance
1520 Midland Ct. NE Ste. 300, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.statefarm.com/agent
Perficut
6535 4th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.perficut.com
Republic Services of Iowa
921 Ingleside Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA| www.republicservices.com
Team Iowa
1300 Stoney Point Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA | www.teamiowa.net
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