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Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Oct. Nov. 2018

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12 LOCAL BUSINESSES NAMED FOR BUY HERE, GIVE HERE, GROW HERE<br />

ICR IOWA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE FOR BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND WORKFORCE EFFORTS<br />

HISTORIC FLOOD. HISTORIC RECOVERY. HISTORIC BUILD: PREPARING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY<br />

FOR CEDAR RAPIDS’ FLOOD CONTROL<br />

REPORT<br />

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR<br />

october<br />

For our full Calendar of Events including<br />

member events, visit www.cedarrapids.org.<br />

TechBrew AM<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 9, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> <strong>Metro</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong><br />

501 First. St. SE<br />

9<br />

BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE<br />

HISTORIC FLOOD. HISTORIC RECOVERY. HISTORIC BUILD.<br />

preparing the construction industry for cedar rapids’ flood control<br />

11<br />

Historic Flood. Historic Recovery.<br />

Historic Build.<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 11, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30p.m.<br />

or 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> <strong>Metro</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong><br />

501 First. St. SE<br />

The <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> <strong>Metro</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong>, the City of<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, and the US Army Corps of Engineers are<br />

proud to offer a unique workshop tailored to those<br />

who will play a key role in building new segments of<br />

permanent flood protection over the next several years.<br />

ATTENDEES WILL LEARN:<br />

• Schedule and overview of expected work<br />

• How to bid on Federal projects<br />

• Key differences between City projects and Federal projects<br />

• Government contracting specifics<br />

Speakers include representatives from the City of<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, the US Army Corps of Engineers,<br />

and the <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong>.<br />

All construction, contractors, building<br />

trades, suppliers and dealers are<br />

invited to this special educational<br />

presentation to learn more about<br />

upcoming biddable projects related<br />

to the Flood Control System.<br />

date: Thursday, <strong>Oct</strong>ober 11, <strong>2018</strong><br />

time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM<br />

Presentation • 2:30-3:30<br />

Networking • 3:30-4:30<br />

6:30 - 8:30 PM<br />

Presentation • 6:30-7:30<br />

Networking • 7:30-8:30<br />

location: Downtown <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong><br />

501 1 st St SE, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong><br />

please rsvp to either workshop at:<br />

https://bit.ly/2QxAUrY<br />

18<br />

BizMix<br />

<strong>Oct</strong>. 18, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> RoughRiders<br />

1100 Rockford Rd. SW<br />

november<br />

Good Morning,<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>!<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>. 8, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> Marriott<br />

200 Collins Rd. NE, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong><br />

8<br />

THANK YOU TO OUR<br />

PRESENTING SPONSOR<br />

THANK YOU TO OUR<br />

MAJOR SPONSORS<br />

THANK YOU TO OUR BRAVO AWARD<br />

SPONSORS: CHANNEL FUSION,<br />

HAWKEYED FIRE & SAFETY, AND<br />

PIERSON’S FLOWER SHOP<br />

THANK YOU TO OUR<br />

VIDEO SPONSOR<br />

KCRG-TV9<br />

13<br />

Hiawatha Business Summit<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>. 13 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.<br />

Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center<br />

1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha<br />

2 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


ECONOMIC IMPACT<br />

MULTIPLIES WITH<br />

LOCAL LABOR<br />

Doug Neumann,<br />

Executive Director<br />

Melissa McCarville<br />

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER<br />

Ellen Bardsley<br />

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST<br />

Clarissa Koch<br />

GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST<br />

Judith Cobb<br />

CBJ ADVERTISING COORDINATOR<br />

Corridor Business Journal<br />

PRINTING & CIRCULATION<br />

WWW.CEDARRAPIDS.ORG<br />

ON THE COVER<br />

The City of <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong><br />

and the Solid Waste Agency,<br />

along with <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong><br />

Ambassadors and enthusiastic<br />

supporters, cut the ribbon<br />

to officially unveil Mount<br />

Trashmore Trails & Overlook<br />

on September 13. With more<br />

than 12,000 feet of hiking and<br />

biking trails, the north-facing<br />

overlook atop the recreational<br />

attraction highlights a<br />

stunning, lofty view of<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>.<br />

If I said we were working on a project with an economic impact of $100 million, would you read to the<br />

end of this letter? Sounds like a click-bait opening, doesn’t it? So I won’t wait to the end. Here it is: The<br />

<strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong> is embarking on what we expect will be a years-long series of forums and workshops<br />

with the goal to steer as much of the flood protection system work as possible to local contractors. The<br />

more this project to protect the east and west sides of core districts from <strong>Cedar</strong> River flooding is done<br />

by local companies and by local workers, the greater the economic impact to the area economy.<br />

Studies and methods vary on precise impacts of locally reinvested dollars. But even the most<br />

conservative studies show locally owned businesses will recirculate/return more than THREE TIMES<br />

as much money to the local economy than an out-of-area business will. On a project that will easily<br />

exceed a half billion dollars over the next decade, that multiplier effect adds up to a huge number pretty<br />

quickly. Using any of the standard formulas, there could easily be $100 million difference in economic<br />

impact from a project done entirely locally vs. entirely out-of-area.<br />

Given that, Ron Corbett – former <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> mayor and now Business Retention and Expansion<br />

Strategist at the <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong> – came up with the idea to do provide a workshop for contractors,<br />

subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, dealers – anyone involved in the construction world in any way – to<br />

understand these projects at a deeper level for prospective work opportunities. There’s so much more<br />

involved in it than just a building a flood wall. Trades of all sorts will be involved.<br />

Parts of the system will include federal funding, and that brings with it a different set of bidding and<br />

construction regulations. We want contractors who may not have experience with federal projects to be<br />

familiar with the rules and consider bidding on a project they wouldn’t have considered before. Other<br />

projects will be done under City of <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> procedures. We want to help strip away any mystery<br />

that would prevent a local contractor from competing.<br />

We’ll also encourage networking among local contractors, even adding scheduled networking time<br />

into the planned workshops, the first of which will be held <strong>Oct</strong>. 11. Is it possible that a team of local<br />

contractors could bring experience, capability and bonding capacity to compete on a project they could<br />

not win alone? Let’s try to create those partnerships and keep dollars local.<br />

Finally, we want local contractors to understand the ripple effect of this project. The area continues<br />

to have strong construction activity from both private and public sector projects. <strong>Metro</strong> area school<br />

districts have long-term growth plans that involve new school construction and renovation that will add<br />

to the already robust activity. And now add the flood protection project on top of all that.<br />

There should be plenty of work to go around. The more of it that stays local, the bigger the win for our<br />

local economy.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Doug Neumann<br />

Executive Director<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

3


BRINGING THE CEDAR RAPIDS BUSINESS<br />

COMMUNITY’S HISTORY TO LIFE AT THE<br />

ANNUAL MEETING<br />

Registration is now open for the <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong>’s<br />

Annual Meeting. The organization’s signature event where<br />

valued member businesses and regional champions come<br />

together to celebrate achievements and learn about the<br />

organization’s goals for the year ahead will take place on<br />

Thursday, January 24, 2019 at the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> DoubleTree<br />

by Hilton Convention Complex.<br />

As a legacy organization of the <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong>, we’ve<br />

honored the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> Area Chamber of Commerce’s<br />

100th Anniversary throughout <strong>2018</strong>. The celebration will<br />

continue during the Annual Meeting as attendees will<br />

hear from identified businesses and business leaders that<br />

represent our business community’s rich history and past.<br />

These featured speakers will bring to life their unique<br />

business stories within the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> community from<br />

1918 to present. Each business will represent a specific<br />

decade and focus on how the economy has changed over<br />

time to the climate it is today.<br />

We appreciate the partnership of The History Center and<br />

their assistance in the development of this programming.<br />

The Howard Hall Excellence in Business Award is the single<br />

highest honor the <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong> bestows each year and<br />

is presented during the Annual Meeting. The award honors<br />

one recipient who exemplifies the outstanding, enduring<br />

business values of Howard Hall and his passion for a vibrant<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>. This award recognizes a business leader who<br />

is integral to the success of the membership and our region.<br />

BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />

The namesake of this award was an industrialist and<br />

philanthropist who used his influence to create a better<br />

local economy and community. Mr. Hall was dedicated<br />

to the development of our region and frequently worked<br />

behind the scenes to attract new businesses and jobs. We<br />

benefit from the many contributions of the Hall Family<br />

today.<br />

Nominations are open and can be made on the <strong>Economic</strong><br />

<strong>Alliance</strong>’s website through December 3. Award selection<br />

is made by a Selection Committee comprised of large<br />

investors and community leaders, including the <strong>Economic</strong><br />

<strong>Alliance</strong> Executive Director.<br />

4 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


WAYFINDING SIGNAGE COMES TO THE<br />

MEDQUARTER THIS FALL<br />

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT<br />

The MedQuarter Regional Medical District will soon be easier<br />

to navigate with the installation of a wayfinding system.<br />

The initiative, which began three years ago, creates a<br />

comprehensive vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding system for<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>’ core districts of Downtown, including Kingston<br />

Village, the MedQuarter and Czech Village/New Bohemia.<br />

This Fall, the MedQuarter’s 18 vehicular signs will be installed<br />

throughout the district starting at the 7th Street exit off south<br />

bound I-380, along 7th Street SE, along 8th Avenue SE, along<br />

10th Street SE and along 1st Avenue SE & NE. The signs will<br />

direct visitors to major arteries, anchor institutions, districts and<br />

public destinations both within and outside of the MedQuarter.<br />

Spots include Mt. Vernon Road, Coe College, Mercy Medical<br />

Center, Physicians’ Clinic, St. Luke’s Hospital, Czech Village,<br />

Downtown, New Bohemia, the U.S. Cellular Convention Center,<br />

Greene Square, Museum of Art, Paramount Theatre and the<br />

Public Library.<br />

“I’m excited to get this project off the drawing board and into<br />

our core districts,” said Matt Myers, Traffic Engineering Manager<br />

and City Traffic Engineer for the City of <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>. “The City<br />

recognizes the value of enhanced signage and I have enjoyed<br />

working with the core districts in creating a system that meets<br />

their diverse needs.”<br />

Downtown, Kingston Village and Czech Village/New Bohemia<br />

will be manufactured and installed as funding becomes<br />

available. The City is in the process of budgeting for the entire<br />

system and is working on a state grant application that may<br />

assist with the cost. Installation of the full system will fulfill the<br />

vision of implementing a wayfinding system that assists drivers,<br />

bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate within and between the<br />

city’s core districts. In the meantime, this is an important first<br />

step.<br />

The creation of the comprehensive wayfinding system has<br />

been a collaborative effort between the Downtown District,<br />

MedQuarter Regional Medical District, Czech Village/New<br />

Bohemia Main Street District, GO <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> and the City of<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> and included many hours of planning, location<br />

assessment, wayfinding analysis, public input and design<br />

revisions to create the final system.<br />

The remaining portions of the signage for the MedQuarter,<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

5


12 LOCAL BUSINESSES<br />

NAMED FOR BUY HERE,<br />

GIVE HERE, GROW HERE<br />

You have the power to drive economic growth by supporting<br />

local businesses and nonprofits. The dollars you spend here<br />

recirculate in our community creating positive economic<br />

impact. That’s the driving force behind our buy local initiative,<br />

Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here.<br />

BUSINESS SUPPORT<br />

Each of the initiative’s three parts will highlight a different<br />

component of our local economy – businesses, nonprofits and<br />

resources for local businesses that aid in their success. The Buy<br />

Here portion will feature 12 local businesses that represent<br />

what makes our local economy unique and adds value for local<br />

consumers. <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong> members were invited to apply<br />

to be a featured Buy Here business and were selected by a<br />

committee comprised of members from the Business Support<br />

Innovation Council.<br />

In the coming months, look for these Buy Here business stories<br />

paired with information about why buying local is important<br />

on social media, print, radio, digital media and in all <strong>Economic</strong><br />

<strong>Alliance</strong> communications.<br />

Dan and Debbie’s Creamery – This business is a favorite for<br />

Ely residents and visitors alike. Dan and Debbie’s Creamery is<br />

a family-owned and operated farm to table dairy production<br />

facility making small batch dairy products. The creamery started<br />

two years ago, and is an extension of the family’s 22-year old<br />

dairy farm.<br />

BUY HERE SPOTLIGHTS<br />

Fairfax Piano, LLC – Fairfax Piano offers private, customized<br />

piano lessons, as well as piano tuning and light piano service.<br />

Lessons are offered in the business’ studio, with the added<br />

flexibility of offering lessons in the student’s home.<br />

All About the Stitch – Custom Embroidery – Hailing from<br />

Central City, All About the Stitch offers personalized gifts made<br />

to order and creates embroidered products for businesses to<br />

display and promote their business.<br />

R E S TAU RAN T<br />

EAT DRINK LOVE<br />

Grin N Goose – Stop in to this bar and restaurant in Downtown<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> for mouthwatering burgers, flavorful appetizers<br />

and fresh soups and salads. The spot boasts an Iowa theme, and<br />

all the wall décor is hand painted by local artists.


Local Pour and Street Food– As one of the newest restaurants<br />

in Kingston Village, Local Pour and Street Food may have one<br />

of the most diverse menus in the area. Munch on street food<br />

favorites like poutine and footlong Chicago dogs in their<br />

eclectic atmosphere.<br />

The Early Bird – Friendly service, a commitment to the<br />

community it serves, and world renown Intelligentsia coffee<br />

and tea are a few ways to describe The Early Bird. Top<br />

Chickadee Brooke Fitzgerald prides herself in creating a<br />

welcoming environment for all customers.<br />

Petersen Pet Hospital – Petersen Pet Hospital is an American<br />

Animal Hospital Association accredited small animal hospital<br />

in Hiawatha. They pride themselves in catering to patient’s<br />

comfort while offering general wellness and sick exams,<br />

elective and advanced surgeries, dental care, radiology,<br />

endoscopy, laparoscopy, ultrasound and dog and cat boarding.<br />

There’s No Quit! Kickboxing and Self Defense Studio –<br />

Owner Duane Johnson served his community for 15 years as a<br />

police officer, deputy and criminal investigator before opening<br />

There’s No Quit! in Marion. Their classes allow students to learn<br />

how to defend themselves and get fit in the process.<br />

Phelan’s – Phelan’s is one of the longest running family-owned<br />

home furnishings and interior design sources in <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>.<br />

Treasures Quality Resale Shoppe – Stop in Treasures Quality Resale<br />

Shoppe for home décor, clothing, electronics, books and more.<br />

Treasures provides revenue for the local nonprofit Bridgehaven<br />

Pregnancy Support Center, which supports women and families in<br />

all aspects of pregnancy; before, during and after.<br />

Pierson’s Flower Shop & Greenhouses – Pierson’s has a long<br />

history in <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, 90 years to be exact. The business is<br />

made up of two flower shops, greenhouses, a garden center<br />

and interior plant-scaping.<br />

WineStyles Tasting Station – WineStyles created a completely<br />

new category in the wine retail industry by empowering<br />

customers to choose wines based on taste, instead of varietal<br />

or region. They offer a unique retail experience and warm<br />

ambiance reminiscent of an old-world wine cellar.<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

7


BANNERS ADD COLOR IN<br />

CZECH VILLAGE/NEW BOHEMIA DISTRICT<br />

CZECH VILLAGE<br />

NEW BOHEMIA<br />

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT<br />

Visitors and residents in the Czech Village/New Bohemia<br />

District are welcoming a new place-making and beautification<br />

effort along main streets and bridges. Banners marking each<br />

neighborhood, and a shared connecting bridge, have been<br />

hung across the district to energize pride and vibrancy.<br />

Adorned with a nod to the Lion Bridge spanning the two<br />

neighborhoods, the brick-red lion and gold district title provide<br />

color and a sense of place to main intersections.<br />

The <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong>, along with the Czech Village/New<br />

Bohemia Self Supported Municipal Improvement District,<br />

work on beautification and improvement initiatives to foster<br />

economic growth and community pride in the core districts of<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>.<br />

BRL HR Consulting<br />

has moved<br />

to a new location:<br />

Join Us FOR A<br />

4 Hawkeye Drive Suite 103<br />

North Liberty, IA 52317<br />

Brenda LaMarche<br />

(319) 621-2312<br />

info@BRLhr.com<br />

www.BRLhr.com<br />

We Make Employee Administration Easy<br />

for Small Businesses!<br />

Thursday, <strong>Oct</strong>. 18<br />

4-6 p.m.<br />

<strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> Ice Arena<br />

1100 Rockford Rd. SW<br />

Join us for<br />

networking and<br />

light appetizers.<br />

Check out the ice<br />

arena and bring<br />

your business cards<br />

to win prizes!<br />

8 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


SECOND DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS<br />

SUCKS VIDEO HITS SOCIAL MEDIA<br />

The latest video in a series designed to pique interest in<br />

and draw attention to Downtown <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> hit social<br />

media recently. This time, the video centers on downtown<br />

events and entertainment. The video invites viewers to visit<br />

dtcrsucks.com, with more information about downtown<br />

entertainment.<br />

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT<br />

The video takes viewers on a colorful journey through<br />

events downtown like Market After Dark, AsianFest, a show<br />

at the Paramount Theatre and live music at the McGrath<br />

Amphitheatre. Peppered throughout, you’ll catch quick<br />

flashes of experiences unique to Downtown <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>,<br />

like handcrafted cocktails at Cobble Hill and murals of<br />

famous <strong>Cedar</strong> Rapidians in the Convention Center parking<br />

ramp.<br />

Watch the video for yourself on Downtown <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>’<br />

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages and look for more<br />

videos later this year.<br />

FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT<br />

PROGRAM<br />

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT<br />

Businesses in Downtown <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, including Kingston<br />

Village, interested in enhancing their storefronts can<br />

now apply for the Downtown Facade Improvement Grant<br />

Program. The Program has once again been funded<br />

for <strong>2018</strong> and 2019 by the Downtown Self-Supported<br />

Improvement Municipal District (Downtown SSMID) and<br />

the City of <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>. To begin the application process,<br />

reach out to Downtown Executive Director Jesse Thoeming<br />

at jthoeming@cedarrapids.org for an initial consultation.<br />

The Program has touched buildings in all corners of<br />

Downtown <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, with recently completed<br />

projects including Theatre <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, Quarter Barrel<br />

Arcade & Brewery, the Smulekoff’s building and the Gatto<br />

building in Kingston Village. Between 2014 and 2017, the<br />

Downtown Facade Improvement Grant Matching Program<br />

made 14 awards totaling $100,000 in support of projects<br />

representing nearly $1.9 million in facade improvements,<br />

which were parts of projects worth more than $52 million<br />

in capital improvement.<br />

Visit cedarrapids.org/downtown to learn more about the<br />

program.<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

9


LARGE INVESTOR NEWS:<br />

CID RECEIVES $8.8M GRANT FOR<br />

CARGO APRON EXPANSION<br />

The Eastern Iowa Airport has received an $8.8 million Federal<br />

Aviation Administration discretionary grant to relocate and<br />

expand its cargo operation, positioning CID to handle even<br />

more of the state’s cargo demands.<br />

The grant - the largest discretionary grant CID has ever<br />

received in one year - is part of the federal government’s<br />

Supplemental Appropriations funds made possible by the<br />

Consolidated Appropriations Act, <strong>2018</strong>. Iowa Sen. Charles<br />

Grassley (R) confirmed receipt of the grant.<br />

Total project cost is $10.3 million. The Federal portion is $8.8<br />

million and the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> Airport Commission will fund<br />

$1.5 million of the project.<br />

The project will relocate CID’s air cargo operations from the<br />

east apron to the west side of the airport property, adjacent<br />

to the FedEx facility. The new apron will be joint-use, meaning<br />

existing and potential new air cargo carriers will be able to use<br />

the apron. Three air cargo carriers serve CID: DHL, FedEx and<br />

UPS.<br />

Marty Lenss, airport director, says this project will be<br />

transformational for CID.<br />

“Year-to-date air cargo volume at CID is up 22 percent,” he<br />

says. “We currently handle 45 percent of the state’s cargo<br />

volume and based on projections, that percentage will increase<br />

to 48 percent by the end of <strong>2018</strong>.”<br />

Nationally, e-commerce and next day delivery is growing<br />

rapidly and CID is uniquely positioned to grow freight, Lenss<br />

says.<br />

“The region’s superior geographic location provides us<br />

the ability to serve 11 million more people with a one-day<br />

Department of Transportation drive time than any place along<br />

the I35/I80 corridor,” he says.<br />

In addition to expanding the west cargo apron area, the<br />

project will include construction of a connecting taxiway. This<br />

will allow the airport to construct a joint-use cargo center,<br />

improving CID’s ability to expand both passenger and cargo<br />

capacity.<br />

Lenss says moving the cargo operations from its current<br />

location adjacent to the passenger terminal will free up<br />

valuable apron space to accommodate future growth for<br />

commercial passenger service and the airlines’ increasing use<br />

of larger aircraft.<br />

CID has broken its monthly passenger records for seven<br />

consecutive months, including August when 102,794 total<br />

passengers used CID. That number is 5.8 percent more than the<br />

previous August record posted in 2014. Year-to-date passenger<br />

traffic is up 5.1 percent over the same time period last year.<br />

Photo Courtesy: CID<br />

Lenss extended thanks to Sen. Grassley and Foth Infrastructure<br />

& Environmental, LLC in <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, CID’s engineering<br />

contractor. Requests for bids on the project were finalized<br />

in August; seven bids were received. Flynn Company, Inc. of<br />

Dubuque, Iowa was awarded the project, pending approval of<br />

the grant.<br />

10 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


CELEBRATING OUR GROWING<br />

COMMUNITY<br />

BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION<br />

Existing businesses represent some of our largest potential<br />

for economic growth. Business expansion projects can mean<br />

building out an existing location, creating new jobs within a<br />

current facility or building a second location in the area.<br />

Driving around the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> metro, it’s impossible to not<br />

see signs of growth like construction sites and renderings for<br />

new or enhanced buildings. There’s a lot to celebrate.<br />

To shed more light on the job growth and capital investment<br />

existing businesses bring, and to thank them for their<br />

commitment to this community, we’ve debuted celebratory<br />

banners across the metro with a simple but powerful message:<br />

Congratulations on growing our community!<br />

Our Business Retention and Expansion team recently distributed<br />

banners to member businesses in <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, Hiawatha<br />

and Marion, and we have more. Creating an exhaustive list<br />

of business expansion projects can be difficult as it is everchanging,<br />

but with your help we’ll be able to better track this<br />

growth. If you are a member of the <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Alliance</strong> and<br />

would like a celebratory banner or a window sign for your<br />

expansion project, contact Business Retention and Expansion<br />

Strategist, Ron Corbett at rcorbett@ceddarrapids.org.<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

11


IMMIGRATION REFORM IS INTEGRAL TO<br />

SOLVING OUR WORKFORCE SHORTAGES<br />

Immigration policy reform is a topic often regarded as controversial, but<br />

is an issue too important to the business community for the <strong>Economic</strong><br />

<strong>Alliance</strong> to stay silent on.<br />

It’s no secret businesses struggle to find and keep qualified candidates<br />

– we regularly hear this from our members. Iowa’s population is not<br />

growing fast enough to meet the workforce demands of business and<br />

industry. Our country’s current immigration system isn’t serving the<br />

needs of employers, employees and communities. There’s much that can<br />

be reformed to help ease these burdens to employers and encourage a<br />

growing workforce. We support:<br />

• Work and school visa reform that allow more workers to stay in the<br />

U.S., including implementing programs for high-skilled and lesserskilled<br />

workers to meet employer demands;<br />

• A national employment verification system that is workable for<br />

employers;<br />

• A permanent solution for recipients of the Deferred Action for<br />

Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that allows employers further access to<br />

skilled workers and prevents employers from losing current DACA<br />

employees. DACA was created to temporarily shield immigrants<br />

who came to the U.S. as children from deportation and made them<br />

eligible for work permits. In September 2017, President Trump’s<br />

Justice Department declared that DACA would end on March 5,<br />

<strong>2018</strong>. At the time, the President ordered Congress to come up with<br />

a permanent solution before the March deadline passed. Currently,<br />

recipients of DACA are in limbo because Congress has not found a<br />

solution and the federal courts system has put holds on any changes<br />

to the program.<br />

Ensuring immigrant populations are welcome in our communities, and<br />

will continue to have the ability to live and work in our communities, will<br />

help meet current and future labor demands and drive innovation and<br />

entrepreneurship.<br />

PUBLIC POLICY<br />

We must continue to push for a bipartisan solution when it comes to<br />

reforming our country’s broken immigration system. Our members<br />

consistently tell us growing our skilled workforce is their number one<br />

concern. Every opportunity we have, we remind our federal elected<br />

official of our concerns and the solutions we’d like to see.<br />

12 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


ICR IOWA: LOOKING FOR YOUR<br />

WORKFORCE?<br />

Labor analytics play a crucial role in site selection. Finding<br />

the right mix of available, qualified workers and solutions<br />

that will generate an ongoing pipeline of talent is critical to a<br />

company’s ability to compete long term in a region.<br />

Overall population might be deceiving when it comes to<br />

finding the right workforce. According to the US Bureau<br />

of Labor and Statistics, Iowa City and <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> are a<br />

Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of 428,398. Our region<br />

includes two <strong>Metro</strong>politan Statistical Areas (MSA) which in<br />

close proximity share workforce. If a client in the sire selection<br />

process is only looking at the population of the Iowa City MSA<br />

(164,121) or the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> MSA (264,277), they would miss<br />

the full workforce picture in ICR IOWA. This is only compounded<br />

by workforce that is available to commute into our region from<br />

neighboring areas. According to Iowa Workforce Development,<br />

our total workforce availability is 617,155 individuals.<br />

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT<br />

In recent attraction projects, ICR IOWA has competed with<br />

regions that have a larger metro population, that might seem<br />

like a better fit for a company with a significant workforce<br />

need. However, once the data was produced, it was fairly easy<br />

to see that the size of ICR’s workforce with the right skill sets<br />

for these projects, outpaced competing regions, regardless of<br />

population size once adjusted for a 30 mile radius/30 minute<br />

commute of a site in ICR. Strong workforce recruitment,<br />

training, and retention solutions through regional workforce<br />

and educational partnerships (ICR Talent & ICR Future) provide<br />

a significant strategic advantage.<br />

An important indicator of workforce is industry clusters.<br />

Location quotients measure how many more times an industry<br />

is concentrated in a labor market than on average with the<br />

rest of the country. According to the US Bureau of Labor and<br />

Statistics, ICR stands out in quite a few areas:<br />

• Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing 82X<br />

• Wet Corn Milling 52X<br />

• Appliance Manufacturing 43X<br />

• Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System &<br />

Instrument Manufacturing 39X<br />

• Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding & Alloying 10X<br />

• Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (personal care products) 9X<br />

• Educational Support Services 8X<br />

• General Freight Trucking 8X<br />

• Direct Life Insurance Carriers 7X<br />

• Ag Equipment Manufacturing 6X<br />

In addition to examining this data, ICR IOWA meets regularly<br />

with local business owners, CEO’s, Plant Managers, and HR<br />

executives to gather insight on labor effectiveness, preparation,<br />

determination, and ability to get the job done. Bi-annual<br />

regional workforce surveys, existing industry reports, and<br />

talent forecasts help to share detailed information about our<br />

workforce with site consultants and companies interested in our<br />

market.<br />

Need additional workforce details for your current project?<br />

Contact Brian Crowe, Director of Business Attraction at<br />

bcrowe@icriowa.org or 319-538-8845.<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

13


ICR IOWA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE<br />

FOR BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND<br />

WORKFORCE EFFORTS<br />

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT<br />

ICR IOWA recently launched a new website, www.icriowa.org.<br />

Divided into two major content sections for either Companies<br />

(business attraction) or People (workforce), the new site caters<br />

to an external market audience and is anchored by the Here<br />

It’s Real campaign that will be used in all external marketing<br />

efforts.<br />

Click on the PEOPLE section to see what ICR IOWA is doing to<br />

connect with professionals who want to be recruited to ICR.<br />

Speaking of, the ICR IOWA Talent Hub is also now live. And with<br />

only a few weeks in, ICR is already getting people to register.<br />

As marketing efforts gain momentum, that list continues to<br />

grow. Any businesses that want to connect with the Talent Hub<br />

list should stay tuned!<br />

The ICR Talent council is working on the best ways to connect<br />

candidates with regional employers. Feel free to share the<br />

link to the hub with any candidates you connect with who<br />

weren’t quite the right fit for you, but might be right for<br />

another ICR employer.<br />

Our member businesses consistently tell us that workforce<br />

retention and recruitment are a major challenge, and we invite<br />

you to add the icriowa.org link to your own website to<br />

support your recruitment strategy!<br />

14 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>


MEMBER<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Iowa Running<br />

Company<br />

MEMBERSHIP<br />

Iowa Running Company is embedded in the running<br />

community of <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>. Owners Jim Dwyer and Clifton<br />

Trebil-Smith are both Iowa natives, Jim from Iowa City<br />

and Clifton from Waverly. The two opened Iowa Running<br />

Company in March 2017 on Third Street SE, a signature<br />

street that connects the Downtown core with Czech<br />

Village/New Bohemia. Jim and Clifton share more about<br />

the history of the business and how it enriches the running<br />

culture in <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>.<br />

What sparked you to open Iowa Running<br />

Company?<br />

Clifton: We felt there was a void we could fill around the<br />

community aspect of running in <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>. It was never<br />

about selling running shoes – we wanted to bring the<br />

running community together.<br />

Jim: My parents are runners, they dragged me to my first<br />

5K. They opened a running store called Running Wild in<br />

Coralville while I was in college, with the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong><br />

location opening shortly after. After they retired and closed<br />

the stores, it made sense for us to start Iowa Running<br />

Company since there were so many supportive runners<br />

here. With the changing landscape of retail and to beat the<br />

Amazon presence, we specifically chose to be a vibrant area<br />

that was close to trails.<br />

What makes Iowa Running Company unique?<br />

Jim: We offer service you can’t get online or in a big box<br />

store. Our staff is trained in video gait technology, which<br />

analyzes customer’s running mechanisms. We have shoes<br />

for both runners and walkers, apparel, accessories, safety<br />

equipment like headlights and pepper spray, nutrition<br />

items and orthotics. Customers come to us to talk shop – if<br />

they’re training for their first 5K or a marathon, we find<br />

ways to help them reach their goals.<br />

It can be intimidating for someone new to running to come<br />

into a store like ours, but we want to eliminate that fear.<br />

We welcome people of all abilities, no matter what their<br />

goals may be.<br />

Do you feel that Iowa Running Company<br />

enriches the running culture in <strong>Cedar</strong><br />

<strong>Rapids</strong>?<br />

Jim: That’s certainly the goal!<br />

Clifton: We try to think of different ways for people to get<br />

involved. Last year we closed on Black Friday and partnered<br />

with Goldfinch Cyclery for a free event called Outdoor<br />

Buster, a 5K or 10K run or a 15K bike ride. There were<br />

over 200 people that opted outside in 2017, and we’re<br />

continuing the event this year.<br />

Jim: Never Miss a Monday is a new program that started<br />

this summer. It’s a group run program, but really, it’s about<br />

people running when they can. We have a big chalkboard in<br />

the back of the store with everyone’s names and they leave<br />

a tally when they go for a run.<br />

Learn more about Iowa Running Company’s products,<br />

events and other news on their website, IowaRun.com.<br />

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE REPORT<br />

15


NEW<br />

MEMBERS<br />

City of Fairfax<br />

300 80th Street Court, Fairfax, IA 52228 | www.cityoffairfax.org<br />

Grand Living at Indian Creek<br />

325 Collins Rd. SE, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52403 | www.grandliving.com<br />

His Hands Free Clinic<br />

400 12th St. SE, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52403 | www.hishandsclinic.org<br />

Kinzler Construction<br />

9915 Atlantic Dr. SW, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52404 | www.insulation.net<br />

Letter Perfect<br />

412 Center Point Road NE, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52402 | www.letperfect.com<br />

Longbranch Hotel & Convention Center<br />

90 Twixt Town Road NE, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52402 | www.thelongbranch.com<br />

NFC <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong><br />

1110 Old Marion Road, Ste. A, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52402<br />

www.neighborhoodfinance.org<br />

Osgood’s Bagels<br />

210 3rd Ave. SE, The Eatery #3, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52401 | www.osgoodscr.com<br />

Palmer Group<br />

221 3rd Ave. SE, Ste. 100, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52402 | www.thepalmergroup.com<br />

Scottsman Properties<br />

1663 24th St. NW, <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong>, IA 52405<br />

The Y. For a Better Us.<br />

150 years of improving lives<br />

in the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> community.<br />

BECOME A<br />

MEMBER TODAY!<br />

Receive access to all five locations in the area plus<br />

any YMCA in the country, a large variety of free<br />

fitness classes daily, discounts on programs, financial<br />

assistance, free child watch and much more!<br />

Coming up in <strong>2018</strong>:<br />

June 8th-10th -<br />

Camp Wapsie Alumni Reunion<br />

June 9th -<br />

Camp Wapsie Centennial Celebration<br />

August 25th -<br />

“Cranking for 150 More” Y Bike Ride<br />

August 27th -<br />

Golf Classic Fundraiser<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>ember 3rd -<br />

YMCA 150th and Camp Wapsie 100th<br />

Anniversary Celebration Gala<br />

YMCA of the <strong>Cedar</strong> <strong>Rapids</strong> <strong>Metro</strong>politan Area | www.crmetroymca.org

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