FROM THE
CITY MANAGER
MARCH 2018
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FROM THE CITY MANAGER • SPECIAL SECTION •
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Over the last year, we have seen existing industry expansions lead to new investment from companies like Diamond V. Mills, Lil’ Drug and Red Star Yeast. We have welcomed Hibu and Sedgwick to our Downtown as well as a number of housing developments and lifestyle businesses. We continue to see progress in major retail projects from our local development community.
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NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW • PLAY! GUIDE •
etween the public and private sectors, we share a vision for a bright and prosperous economic future in Cedar Rapids. Every day we see evidence this great potential is becoming reality with new development taking shape all around us.
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To help keep pace with an increasing rate of positive change, the City of Cedar Rapids has undertaken several major new initiatives to further implementation of the City’s 2015-2018 Strategic Plan for Economic Development. In 2016, City staff completed our first annual existing industry survey report. By engaging 170 companies in survey visits since then, City staff has learned a tremendous amount about existing industry’s priorities for the future. Ongoing Cedar Rapids Business Survey efforts will form an important part of our business retention program. Survey information will help staff continue to improve responsiveness to business community needs in order to help companies already invested in Cedar Rapids to stay and grow.
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The City of Cedar Rapids has also recently enhanced its marketing efforts for economic development. In April 2017, the City launched a new website for economic development (EconomicDevelopmentCR.com). It serves as a one-stop source of information about location advantage in Cedar Rapids for new and existing industry. The website’s economic dashboard provides a snapshot of local market conditions and updates that matter to business. We are also increasing the frequency and reach of marketing efforts by promoting EconomicDevelopmentCR.com directly to businesses nationwide.
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Cedar Rapids is a truly exceptional place to live and work, but great places do not simply happen. Instead, they are the result of hard work. City residents, business leaders, volunteers, elected officials and staff all pull together to create a place that leverages all of its assets to consistently outperform expectations.
Interested in Advertising With Us? Contact the Our CR Communications Coordinator at 319-286-5742.
It is my sincere hope that current progress in economic development is only a sign of still better things yet to come. The ongoing support of our entire community is what continues to make Cedar Rapids a clear choice for growth and opportunity in Eastern Iowa.
Jeffrey Pomeranz Cedar Rapids City Manager
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OUR CR
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MARCH 2018