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Night time view of the Cedar Rapids skyline
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Our Region

Here it's real.

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Work/Life Balance

Here you really can have it all

The Cedar Rapids metropolitan area is vibrant with stunning attractions, exciting events, specialty shopping, a dynamic art scene, outdoor recreation, and a large variety of restaurant and nightlife options. Cedar Rapids offers a unique balance of big city amenities without all the hassles, headaches and long commute times that come with a large city. This extra time afforded to our residents and visitors is why Cedar Rapids is known as “The City of Five Seasons.” This fifth season affords us time to enjoy all other seasons, and more importantly, to enjoy life.

As the second largest city in the state of Iowa, we are:

  • The largest corn-processing city in the world
  • One of the leading manufacturing regions in the United States
  • One of the leading bioprocessing and food ingredient centers in North America
Map of the Cedar Rapids area and surrounding counties

ON THE MAP

Here’s where you’ll find us

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is located in Eastern Iowa and is comprised of Benton, Linn, and Jones Counties with a population of 276,520. The largest city in our MSA is Cedar Rapids with a population of 137,710.

Google Maps

OUR REGIONAL PLAN

Envision East Central Iowa.

We strongly believe in a regional approach to growth and development. Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa were founded by innovators and business leaders who liked to think big. This plan seeks to further what our forefathers started: growth with investment in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Read More about our ambitious plan

area development

Developer & Contractor Insiders

Each year the Economic Alliance, along with partners in the economic development space, host a luncheon to dig in to the outlook and opportunities coming to the area in the next 3-4 years. Check out the slideshows presented from this year below.

Thoughts from Director Durham
Thoughts from Mayor O’Donnell

AREA WORKFORCE

Training & Building the Workforce Pipeline Luncheon

Notes from the 2023 Training and Building the Workforce Pipeline Luncheon. Check out the slideshow presented as well as a checklist for attendees to get more involved.

Presentation Slides
Checklist

Our Economic Development Business partners:

Benton County/Benton Development Group:
https://www.bdgia.com/

Jones County Economic Development:
https://jonescountydevelopment.com/

Iowa County Community Development:
https://iccdia.com

Marion Economic Development Corp (MEDCO):
https://www.medcoiowa.org/

Robins Economic Development Initiative: (REDI):
https://www.rediiowa.org/

Hiawatha Economic Development Corp. (HEDCO):
https://hiawatha-iowa.com/departments/economic-development/about-hedco/

Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA):
https://www.iowaeda.com/