Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

It's been another year of ambition, collaboration, and growth at the Economic Alliance. We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for our community. For now, though, it's time for some much-needed relaxation and time with family. Our facilities will be closed beginning December 24 until January 2. Thank you for being a part of the Economic Alliance family, and from our team to yours, 🎁Happy Holidays!🎁

The Cedar Rapids area’s Collaborative Growth Initiative is proud to announce Jodi Schafer as the Director of Talent Attraction. Jodi will officially join the team on January 13, but before she does, please wish her a warm welcome! 😊 In this new director-level position at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Jodi will lead efforts to grow the area’s workforce population, leveraging and coordinating public and private sector resources. She joins the efforts of our economic development and workforce team. Jodi brings a wealth of experience and talent to this new leadership role. With nearly 20 years of combined experience in director and talent attraction positions, her work in executive-level recruitment, internal consulting, strategic planning, and leadership development will assist her abilities to dive right into collaborative growth initiatives. Jodi worked and led teams at the University of Iowa’s MBA department for more than 10 years, where she then gained further experience as the Director of Talent Management at CIVCO Medical Solutions before heading back to the higher education sector as the Senior Director of the Berry Institute and Special Assistant to the Provost at Cornell College. We are incredibly excited for her to join us, and we can't wait to see what she will accomplish in her new role. Welcome, Jodi! 👋 Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gQ9WJD97

Last night at Cedar Ridge , we announced our 2025 Public Policy Priorities, in conjunction with Greater Iowa City, Inc. These key policy issues were selected after significant input from our combined 2,000 members, investors, partners, and community stakeholders. What are they, you ask? -Invest in Talent Development 🍎 -Incentivize Business Growth 👔 -Remove Barriers to Expand our Workforce 👷 -Enhance Community Attraction & Livability Efforts 🌇 -Welcome Workers from All Populations 🌎 -Embrace Solutions Utilizing Technology & Natural Resources 💻 To see all the policies we will be advocating for next year, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gewTDHSw Finally, a special thank you to ADM and Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. for sponsoring the event.

❄️REMINDER: Our December BizMix is next Thursday❄️ Meet us at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, for an enriching and historical spin on networking. Stop by for delicious food and refreshments, stay for insightful conversation and newfound connections. 🗓 Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024 🕓 Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 📍 1400 Inspiration Pl. SW, Cedar Rapids BizMix is free for all attendees and brings together area professionals for an evening of casual networking over complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. This event provides EA members with increased opportunities for participation and connections. We hope to see you there!

Important Update for Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance small business members: Yesterday, a federal court in Texas halted the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements. See below for more information on this from the U.S. Chamber. 

Late October and early November featured ✂️ three new organizations ✂️ joining the Cedar Rapids Metro. Welcome to our community, we’re happy to have you! 🏗️ Larson Construction Co., Inc. 🌯 4 Hermanos Mexican Food 🥪 Milio's Sandwiches A huge congratulations to everyone involved in these milestones! Your dedication paves the way for a month filled with promise and community impact. 👏

The holidays are finally here, and whether you’ve been naughty or nice, you can still enjoy all the festivities! This month’s edition of the Inside Scoop features events and initiatives you can take advantage of this winter.

❄️Our December BizMix is on the 19th!❄️ Meet us at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library for an enriching and historical spin on networking. Stop by for delicious food and refreshments, stay for insightful conversation and newfound connections. 🗓 Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024 🕓 Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 📍 1400 Inspiration Pl. SW, Cedar Rapids BizMix is free for all attendees and brings together area professionals for an evening of casual networking over complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. This event provides EA members with increased opportunities for participation and connections. We hope to see you there!

It’s officially the 12th month of the year, and, coincidentally, it’s Barbra Snitker Solberg’s 12th anniversary at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. In celebration of her milestone, we asked her some questions reflecting on her time here: -Why did you want to work for/be a part of the Economic Alliance? I was raised by small business owners, and have family with small businesses around Cedar Rapids. I even married into a family of small business owners! I know what it takes to run one and that they are the backbone of a thriving community. I went a different route for my profession – politics. Never did I think I’d marry the two into one job! -What has been the most rewarding part of being on this team? I’m so proud to be a member of this team. In my career, I have had the honor of working with some of the most talented professionals one could imagine, including on Capitol Hill and at the White House. I can say without hesitation that the EA team is ranked right up there in that category. They are top-of-the-line professionals. I feel rewarded by their support, laughter at my humor, and tolerance (often sincere interest) in learning political and policy processes! And then watching one of them turn around and share that knowledge with a member – that’s truly rewarding! This small but mighty team is dedicated to making the CR metro better every single day. And we have fun doing it! If you want to laugh and feel inspired about the future, spend time with our team! -How are you planning on celebrating your anniversary? AKA, what excites you about the upcoming year? I’ll head home, turn on the TV, flipping between CNN, Fox News, and Jeopardy. Once I’m caught up, I’ll switch to a Real Housewives show to take a break from politics and escape reality. Don’t judge! What excites me about the coming year is the strategy we’ll contrive and engage in with a new Iowa Legislature, Congress, and Administration to advocate on behalf of EA members and the CR metro business community. It’s the strategy part that I love most! -What is your favorite Economic Alliance brand color and why? Purple. When I was a little girl, my grandma shared her philosophy on life that coincided with the “Warning - When I am an Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple” poem. I took up that mantra and have subscribed to that philosophy ever since. Those who know me know I live up to this! Plus, purple is a blend of red and blue, so it fits into my political philosophy in more ways than one!

Join us 12/11 at Cedar Ridge in Swisher, as we join forces once again with Greater Iowa City, Inc. to unveil our region’s state and federal priorities for 2025. This is the seventh consecutive year the Economic Alliance and Greater IC have united to advocate to state and federal policymakers. The Regional Legislative Launch, presented by ADM and Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., is a unique opportunity to network directly with policymakers and their staff. Drinks, and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g3vf-s2A