Staff Announcements for Iowa's Creative Corridor Development Corporation
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) jointly announce new roles for two staff members who will begin working on regional workforce and business attraction initiatives within the Iowa’s Creative Corridor Development Corporation. The development corporation is a joint venture between the Economic Alliance and ICAD, being led by President & CEO Jennifer Daly.

Brian Crowe has accepted new responsibilities as Director of Business Attraction. Crowe will focus on regional business attraction, working with Daly to develop and execute strategies to bring new jobs, new businesses and capital investment to the region. Crowe had been serving as economic development strategist at the Economic Alliance for the last four years. 
DaLayne Williamson, PHR, GPHR, has accepted the role of Director of Workforce Solutions. Williamson will be responsible for regional workforce efforts by connecting employers with resources, assisting with retention and recruitment needs and recognizing and filling gaps in training. Williamson takes on these broader regional workforce responsibilities after 10 years as workforce business services director at ICAD.

Iowa Economic Development Authority Announces Funding on Two Creative Corridor Projects
On Friday, August 18, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced awards to two Creative Corridor projects.

Highway Equipment Company, manufacturer of New Leader® crop nutrient applicators, and Hi-Way® deicing spreaders and road maintenance equipment, will officially move forward on a plan to expand its current Cedar Rapids facility located at 1330 76th Ave SW with $3.3M of investment and a proposed testing facility.

The project, which will create 14 high-quality jobs , will serve to conduct extensive product testing on existing products and experimental equipment during product development. The IEDA awarded this project tax benefits via the High Quality Jobs program.
Legacy® Manufacturing Company will move forward with expansion to its recently completed facility as a result of continued growth and success in reshoring U.S. manufacturing processes.

In 2016, Legacy completed its 133,000 square foot facility located at 6509 Partners Avenue in Marion. The new warehouse expansion would add 200,000 square feet to Legacy’s existing location with capital investment estimated at $12M and will create 13 new jobs. This expansion project is contingent upon regulatory approval and governmental approval of financial assistance. The company is located in the Marion Enterprise Center. Construction is anticipated to start this fall. The IEDA awarded this project tax benefits via the High Quality Jobs program, pending local match.

The Economic Alliance partnered with the Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) in preparing an application to the State of Iowa's High Quality Jobs Program.
Sedgwick Brings New Business and 40+ New Jobs to Downtown Cedar Rapids

On August 8, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett and City Manager Jeff Pomeranz welcomed the City’s newest employer, Sedgwick, to downtown Cedar Rapids with a ceremony at Eastbank Venue & Lounge. The celebration highlighted the opening of Sedgwick's new location in the Smulekoff's buildling and introduced the new business to the Cedar Rapids community. Sedgwick will bring 40 new jobs downtown.

Sedgwick Managing Director Tammy Worthey regarded how beautiful downtown Cedar Rapids is and that the business expects to expand in Cedar Rapids by 25-50 employees per year.

The Economic Alliance and the City assisted with site selection and hosting of decision makers last September during their location selection process.
2017 Project Wins
Business Recruitment & Business Expansion Project Pipeline
The following is a list of projects the Economic Alliance is currently working on with location decisions expected to be made within the next 12 - 18 months:
*Projects abandoned or alternative location selected.
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