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December 21, 2023 | Community Development, Downtown Cedar Rapids

Downtown District Announces New Hire

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Downtown District announced today that Jennifar Bassett has been hired as the Downtown District Program Manager. Bassett will begin her new position o...

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Heidi Steffen Buy 319 Itinerary

December 6, 2023 | Buy 319

Buy 319 Itinerary Ft. Heidi Steffen

Heidi's holiday weekend with her family is a festive journey filled with local support at every turn. On Friday, they kick off the festivities with a family dinner at one of t...

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November 28, 2023 | Community Development

Holiday Lights Shimmer for the Season

Downtown is shimmering as twinkling lights go up in transforming the urban core. The MedQuarter and Downtown SSMIDs (Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District) have joined...

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Affordable Housing in Iowa

September 1, 2023 | Community Development, Economic Development & Workforce

Rooted in Community: Affordable Housing in Iowa

In today's competitive market for workforce , the demand for affordable housing has never been more critical. It is not just a matter of providing shelter; it's about empoweri...

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Bloomsbury Farm Aerial

April 28, 2023 | Buy 319

Farm, Family and Community – The Ripple Effect of Working Together

Bloomsbury Farm is a local homestead that was founded in 1856. Dave Petersen and his wife Karen, the 5th generation to take over the Farm, started the agri-tourism business in...

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Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company

February 20, 2023 | Business Support, Community Development

The Perfect Refreshing Partner of Restaurant Week 2023

Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company is the proud supporting sponsor of the Economic Alliance’s Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week 2023. Restaurant Week is a ten day, buy local foo...

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The YMCA Logo

November 23, 2022 | Business Support

YMCA – An Amazing Space

​Many members of our community are navigating obstacles and challenges in their every day lives, and the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA gives them an amazing space to navigate it a...

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Image of a man giving speech

November 14, 2022 | Economic Development & Workforce

We’re All in This Together – Our Towns

In late October, I had the privilege to play tour guide for authors Jim and Deb Fallows for two days during their first visit to Cedar Rapids. While the Fallows’ have had i...

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Holding an ipad

October 24, 2022 | Business Support

Discussions Around DEI Remain Top of Mind for the ICR Region

When diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are ingrained in a society’s core, it’s a win for everyone. An equitable business community not only makes the local economy str...

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Ligo boxes

September 26, 2022 | Economic Development & Workforce

Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Announce Another Round of Funding for Child Care Business Incentive Grants

The Economic Alliance team hears regularly from our members about their workforce challenges, and that includes access to child care that create barriers for working parents. ...

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Squeeze in Summer - Sun with sunglasses

September 15, 2022 | Business Support

Squeeze in Summer Fun Before Fall Officially Arrives

According to the calendar, it’s still officially summer. So, before you put pumpkins on the porch or hang skeletons in your yard, here’s a list of all the ways to squeeze ...

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Image of Building

September 14, 2022 | Community Development

Big Little City for Your Housing Investment

​Moving to a new city is a life changing decision. Whether it’s for a new career opportunity or to move closer to family, investing in a home can be a big risk. The Cedar ...

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Image of Next Nature Mural

September 7, 2022 | Community Development

The Story Behind the Story: Next Nature Mural

​In late August local artist and owner of the Underground Art Studio, Scott Takes finished Next Nature, a dual mural that now adorns two sides of the Fix Salon building on t...

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Photo of Doug Neumann and Drew Kamp

August 30, 2022 | Economic Development & Workforce

Welcoming refugees essential to Iowa’s economic future

Though it’s a long drive on I-80 between Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs, our regional economies face many of the same challenges and opportunities. Iowans are working an...

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Freund Vector

August 3, 2022 | Business Support

Freund Vector- 50 Years in the Community

​“There are 10-15 powerhouse players within our industry in this world, and we’re in the top 5. In the United States specifically, it’s just us. We have no other compe...

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