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Economic Development & Workforce

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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August 30, 2023 | Economic Development & Workforce

Cranes in the Sky – A Bird’s Eye View of Local Economic Development

Projects continue to make progress in the Cedar Rapids Metro, and those project sites are dotted with cranes in the sky. Those large pieces of machinery may temporarily block ...

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Hailey Feature Image

August 9, 2023 | Live Here

Hailey’s Journey Back to Cedar Rapids

Have you ever felt that tug in your heart, calling you back to where you belong? Well, that's precisely what happened to Hailey Held, employee at the local Raygun. After a thr...

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Julie Stow Boomerang

August 1, 2023 | Live Here

Love at First Sight Turns Into a Long Term Commitment to Community

When Julie Stow first came to Cedar Rapids 25 years ago, she was reluctant. She was a native Californian living in Santa Barbara staring at the ocean. She was working at Nords...

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2023 Graduates' Workforce Priorities

June 30, 2023 | Economic Development & Workforce

2023 Graduates’ Workplace Priorities

Recent graduate Madeline Ward, from the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, has experienced a profound shift in her workplace priorities, mirroring the senti...

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May 30, 2023 | Business Support, Economic Development & Workforce

At Mercy, Vision Becomes Reality

It’s an exciting time for the community when vision comes to life, especially when lives are enhanced in the process. It’s happening at Mercy Medical Center throughout the...

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First & First West

May 22, 2023 | Economic Development & Workforce, Member Stories

1st & 1st West Project: Enhancing Our Community

A new skyline is beginning to take shape on the west side of the river in downtown Cedar Rapids. What was once a bare piece of land will soon blossom into a must-see attractio...

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ICR Iowa Talent Hub Illustration

May 3, 2023 | Economic Development & Workforce

A Workforce Pipeline Just for You

Having access to quality workforce resources can be an instrumental benefit to future business success. That’s why the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance (Economic Allianc...

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Christina Jones, ICR Boomerang

April 5, 2023 | Business Support, Economic Development & Workforce, Live Here

CR Native Returns To Corridor for Unexpected Opportunity

Sometimes, you really don’t know what you’ve got until you’re gone. And when the right opportunity pops up, you come back! Christina Jones was living in Colorado Springs...

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Cedar Ridge

March 10, 2023 | Buy 319, Membership

One Change Equates to a Big Difference – Supporting 319 Fills Cedar Ridge’s Cup

When opportunities arose to take their products international, Jamie Siefken, General Manager and Executive VP at Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery, knew staying true to their...

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Midwest Metal Products

March 10, 2023 | Economic Development & Workforce, Uncategorized

Manufacturing 4.0 Applications Are Open

Manufacturing 4.0 grant applications opened for 2023 on March 1. These grants provide opportunities that encourage innovation through funding businesses and organizations that...

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Mo Nasraddin with The KETO Kitchen in Downtown Cedar Rapids

February 3, 2023 | Business Support, Downtown Cedar Rapids, Economic Development

The KETO Kitchen Gets Jump Start to Open in Downtown Cedar Rapids

Mo Nasraddin personally connects to living a healthier lifestyle by embracing the Keto diet. Now he’s brought healthy food to downtown Cedar Rapids with the opening of The K...

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Convergen Energy Logo

November 18, 2022 | Economic Development & Workforce

State Gives Final Approval for Convergen Energy

​During its meeting today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board unanimously approved a financial incentive package for Convergen Energy to operate a new manu...

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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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Image of buildings

November 9, 2022 | Economic Development & Workforce

Cedar Rapids Metro Gaining National and International Attention for Business Attraction Projects

2022 has been a monumental year for economic development in the community. The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has responded to 22 request for proposals (RFP) in the past...

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