November 2012
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CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
Table of Contents Article, Page From the President’s Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Economic Development News. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ImpactCR, Now Accepting Board Applications . 6 Unlocking Your Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Customer Survey Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Fire & Ice Festival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Conquer the Creative Corridor . . . . . . . . . . 11 Workforce News & Career Fairs. . . . . . . . . . 12 Ribbon Cuttings/ New Members . . . . . . . . . 13 PM Exchange Recap & Ad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Recap of Next Gen. Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . 15
November 2012
Volume 82 No 3 (USPS558-200) Economic Alliance Report (ISSN 108-50775) is published monthly by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Subscription price of $35 per year is included in an annual membership. Periodicals postage paid at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Postmaster: Send changes to: Economic Alliance Report Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance 501 First Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-2011 President & CEO: Dee Baird Editor: Mallory Mohwinkle Contact the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance at 319-398-5317 for reprint permission.
$35/individual, $350/table of 10
Breakfast and coffee will be offered beginning at 7:15 a.m. with the program starting at 7:35 a.m.
Register for your seat today to so you don’t miss this zany, lively and entertaining event!
november 2012
From the President’s Desk:
This month we are focusing our center story on you, our very important customer. As we stated throughout the pending merger, as well as through this year, in our new structure, you would be our focus. You exceeded our expectations in terms of number of participants who took the time to give us your feedback. We had hoped we would hear from 400 people and the result was that more than 550 of you took time to give us important feedback. The exercise to complete a survey of this nature is important. We have not had updated information from our customer base in almost 10 years and due to the merger we felt it was vital to have your input in a manner that would inform our decision-making process. You gave us clear direction on what you want to be called as well as how you want to receive your information. Additionally, your comments are going to help us prioritize events and programs that are valuable to you. We have already started the analysis and decision-making process that is necessary when data is provided of this significance. Each of the Innovation Councils received the results and deliberated at their October meetings. All of this work is in preparation for potential changes on our strategic plans for 2013 and 2014. A final note is one that embraces the holiday that happens toward the end of this month. The amount of progress and change our communities are experiencing is phenomenal. Our entire team knows how blessed we are to work on behalf of our customers and we want to send our gratitude and sincere thanks to you for your ongoing support! Happy Thanksgiving!
Dee Baird President & CEO
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CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
november 2012
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Economic Development Making Global Connections: European Forum of Industrial Biotechnology Earlier this month, Economic Alliance staff traveled to Dusseldorf, Germany to participate in 20 appointments with industrial biotechnology companies at the European Forum of Industrial Biotechnology. The meetings took place over two days and were held with companies participating in the conference, as well as those located in the Dusseldorf area. Cedar Rapids is known in the industrial biotechnology sector for its concentration of fermentation-based industries and its established workforce in this industry. With investments of almost $1 billion into the Cedar Rapids market since 2005 in this sector alone, Cedar Rapids has become a focal point for future industrial biotechnology opportunities.
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Hosting Potential Clients at Home Representatives of a “software as a service (SAAS)� technology business visited Cedar Rapids to consider establishing a satellite office in the city. Economic Alliance staff hosted the representatives of the Minnesota-based company which plans to increase the number of its employees to 195 by 2017. Company officials are considering Cedar Rapids for a technical call center and service center as their business grows. The size of Cedar Rapids, its established customer care businesses and workforce are key reasons it is under consideration for the new office. Other locations under review are in South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Last month, the Economic Alliance also hosted a client that is considering establishing a multi-lingual customer service operation in the region.
Bienvenue Vitany Welkom Kolipaio Swaagatam Benvenuto
Welcome Valkommen
During their visit, they met with representatives from Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa which both have a number of bi-lingual/multi-lingual students and language training programs. The company also met with prospective customers and other customer contact center operations in the Cedar Rapids area. We expect the company will be making a site location decision in the next 60-90 days.
Yin Dee Disambut Baik Tervetullut Binevenit Chao Mung
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www.crmetroymca.org
Cornerstone Press
378-4451
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CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
Upcoming ImpactCR Event:
Now Accepting Board Applications! ImpactCR Advisory Board is now accepting applications to participate in the 2013 Advisory Board! Visit www.impactcr.org to download the application. The mission of the ImpactCR Advisory Board is to help its membership connect, engage and empower the now/next generation in the Cedar Rapids area, to ensure the long-term advancement of the community. Application submissions are due by Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at 5 p.m.
ImpactCR Siren Wednesday November 7 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Vito’s on 42nd 4100 River Ridge Dr. NE Enjoy a casual and fun night of networking with ImpactCR on the first Wednesday of the month! Siren Wednesday provides an informal opportunity for ImpactCR friends to network, meet new people and learn about ImpactCR. Whether you’re new to ImpactCR and looking to get involved, or a long-time advocate looking to get reconnected, Siren Wednesday has something for everyone.
Free No registration required.
Volunteer Opportunity Mission of Hope Nov. 8 and 15, Noon-1 p.m. (volunteers needed both days)
ImpactCR’s Leadership & Service Committee is partnering up with Mission of Hope to serve lunches to their clients. We’re looking for a few people to volunteer each day (Noon to 1 p.m.). Learn more about the Mission of Hope by visiting www.missionofhopecr.org. Sign up to volunteer by contacting Leadership & Service co-chair Amber Mussman at mussmana@crlibrary.org.
november 2012
Tuesday, November 6 Noon to 1:00 p.m. Economic Alliance Boardroom 501 First St. SE
FREE
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Unl cking Your Membership
Join us at Unlocking Your Membership to learn how to best utilize your membership investment. This popular meeting is the perfect opportunity for members to learn more about the benefits, events and programs that are offered. Attendees will meet our professional team and learn ways to get involved and grow their business. Meet our professional team and learn ways to get involved and help grow our business community. Can’t attend? Send a colleague or employee who can! Those attending are encouraged to bring business cards.
Lunch will be provided Please register at cedarrapids.org
Community Calendar November ■■Unlocking
Your Membership
November 6, Noon-1 p.m. Economic Alliance 501 First Street SE This popular meeting is the perfect opportunity for members to become reacquainted with the benefits, events and programs offered to you to help grow your business. Free to members. Please register on www.cedarrapids.org.
■■ImpactCR
Morning Cedar Rapids
November 14, 7:15-8:45 a.m. Cedar Rapids Marriott 1200 Collins Rd. NE This zany, lively, entertaining event will present three fabulous businesses with the 2012 BRAVO Award and highlight two organizations the Community Spotlight! Presented by Guaranty Bank. Please register on www.cedarrapids.org.
December
Siren Wednesday
Nov. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Vito’s on 42nd Enjoy a casual and fun night of networking with ImpactCR on the first Wednesday of the month! No registration required. Free to attend.
■■Conquer
■■Good
the Corridor
November 13, 8-9 a.m. Economic Alliance 501 First Street SE Join staff and volunteers for an interactive presentation designed to get you familiar with everything Corridor. Free to attend. Register on www.cedarrapids.org.
■■Fire
& Ice Festival
December 1, 3-10 p.m. Downtown Cedar Rapids We are excited to continue our partnership with the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival to bring back this annual holiday festival and the Holiday Delight Parade! Please visit www.downtowncr.org to see the complete schedule of events.
■■Breakfast
of Champions
December 13, 7-8:30 a.m. Economic Alliance 501 First St. SE Join us for a presentation from the Regional Branding Task Force to learn about bringing Iowa’s Creative Corridor to the region. A light breakfast will be offered at 7 a.m. with the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. Free to attend. Please register on www.cedarrapids.org.
CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
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Listening to You: D
uring the process of merging the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids Downtown District and Priority One into the Economic Alliance, one of the promises made was to ensure we would listen to you – our valued customer. One of the ways we are doing this is through an online survey conducted earlier this year. The survey, sent to more than 4,500 customers and stakeholders, asked questions in several areas, including membership in the former organizations, level of customer satisfaction, activities which drive that satisfaction, public policy priorities and the preferred means of communication. As a new organization, it was vital to conduct such a survey to obtain baseline information Economic Alliance staff can use as a tool as it looks at the events, programs and services it provides. The customer survey information has been shared with each
of our Innovation Councils, and members have included this as part of their process in helping shape the Economic Alliance’s 2013 strategic goals. When putting together the survey, it was determined the threshold number of participants to ensure a good sample survey was 400. In the end, 577 people took the time to provide us information and feedback. The following are some key points of information we wanted to highlight: The first key question was to ask participants if they were aware the merger had taken place. Of those responding, 93 percent indicated they did know about the merger. Members of the legacy organizations and those in upper management were more likely to be aware of the merger. This statistic is encouraging, but staff recognizes there is still an education process needed to help customers and stakeholders fully understand what the merger means and to help those who may not be as aware of the Economic Alliance.
Strategic Goals Awareness of Merger
Not surprisingly, respondents who had previously been members of Priority One, The Chamber or the Cedar Rapids Downtown District were significantly more likely to be aware of the merger. In addition, CEOs, Presidents and business owners, along with upper management, were significantly more likely to be aware. Staff members were more likely to be unaware.
Customers were asked to rate their agreement with the following statements - where 1 is strongly disagree, and 5 is strongly agree. Survey responders rated and identified many strategic goals for the Economic Alliance; however, aligning our strategic plans with Business Support initiatives ranked highest, followed by Economic Development and Community Development efforts.
Business Support means the Economic Alliance should create a strong business environment which supports all employers, including focus on small and locally-owned businesses. Economic Development efforts should attract, grow and retain interstate commerce business in the area. Community Development should grow strong core central districts in Cedar Rapids and support surrounding communities.
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The Survey Results Another key question we asked was what our customers want to be called. The Chamber had members, the Downtown District had partners and Priority One had investors. Pending the survey, we had determined, based on input from the Policy Board, we would refer to our base as customers. However, the survey showed that of the choices provided, the majority prefer to be referenced as a “member.” Other areas of focus show participation in activities and levels of satisfaction in activities. The Downtown Farmers Market recorded the highest level of participation at 73 percent. Overall, while satisfaction of events and programs is moderately high, we have some room for improvement in tying in those satisfaction levels with certain events, like Good Morning Cedar Rapids and Professional Development Academies.
Preferred Name
We asked survey responders what they would prefer to be called when referencing their involvement with the Economic Alliance. More than half responded in favor of “Member.”
Of our core functions, business support is ranked as the first priority, and in the public policy arena you ranked economic development incentives as the priority issue. In the area of communication, the majority likes to receive information about events and programs through the weekly E-Connection and 82 percent of those responding said they would prefer to receive the monthly Report newsletter via email. And when you receive the Report you want to read about economic development news, along with information about events. All this information is extremely valuable and we want to thank all who participated. Our plan is to conduct a similar survey on an annual basis so we can continue to build our information database to better serve you now and in the future.
Public Policy Survey responders were asked to rank their top three priorities regarding what public policy areas the Economic Alliance should focus on when working with local and state elected officials. Economic development incentives were deemed most important area for public policy efforts, followed by workforce/employment.
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CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
Fire & Ice Festival
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Saturday, December 1
The Economic Alliance and the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival are excited to announce our spectacular day of events happening on Saturday, December 1 in downtown Cedar Rapids.
To enter your chili recipe for the Chili Challenge, contact Jennifer@freedomfestival.com. To register your parade float for the Holiday DeLight parade, visit www.downtowncr.org.
Special thanks to: Presenting Sponsor:
United Fire, Quality Chef Foods Holly Sponsors: Ruffalo Cody, Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Guaranty Bank, Colony Heating & Air Conditioning & Mendota Hearth Products Silver Bells Sponsors:
3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Downtown Cedar Rapids For full schedule visit www.cedarrapids.org
Schedule of Events: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Ice sculptures, Greene Square Park 2:30 p.m. Nutcracker, Paramount Theater 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. North Pole Activities, Greene Square Park 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Chili Challenge, Armstrong Food Court 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Santa Meet & Greet, Greene Square Park
5:30 - 5:45 p.m. City Tree Lighting Ceremony, Greene Square Park 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Holiday DeLight Parade, Traditional Parade Route 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Santa Meet & Greet, Greene Square Park 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. Ugly Holiday Sweater Party, Dublin City Pub 7:30 p.m. Nutcracker, Paramount Theater
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november 2012
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Tuesday, November 13 8:00 a.m to 9:00 a.m. Economic Alliance Boardroom 501 First St. SE
FREE Please register at cedarrapids.org
Our community is filled with things to do and ways to get involved, but where do you go to find it all? Join staff and volunteers from the Economic Alliance as they share their stories of resource triumph through Conquer the Creative Corridor—an interactive presentation designed to get you familiar with everything Creative Corridor. Discover the where and how of culture, nightlife, events, the downtown scene, volunteer opportunities, and more! Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here your entire life, this FREE guide through our community will open your eyes to what the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area has to offer. Attendees will be given a resource packet along with a calendar of upcoming events.
“They’ve more than met our needs.” David Zinser
President D.W. Zinser Company BANKERS TRUST commercial banker: Josh Moore treasury services: Jen Welton
“Bankers Trust is focused on the details and what we need as a customer. They make sure everything is right. It’s the way they do things, a lot of personal attention. They understand what we’re doing here. I appreciate that.”
221 Third Avenue SE 319-896-7777 400 Blairs Ferry Road NE 319-221-1230 bankerstrust.com Member FDIC
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CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
Career Fairs: Building the Pipeline
Workforce: Pick Your Pace
More than 1,100 college students from throughout the Midwest have met with Economic Alliance staff at college career fairs, learning about job opportunities and the quality of life in Iowa’s Creative Corridor. The most recent trip was to Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. Staff has promoted the Creative Corridor at the University of Northern Iowa, Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Students at Michigan State University were not only interested in learning about job opportunities, but wanted to find an area to live with a variety of arts and cultural organizations and a low cost of living. One of the tools the Economic Alliance uses to promote Iowa’s Creative Corridor is the website Pick Your Pace, www.pickyourpace.com. This site, done in collaboration with the Iowa City Area Development Group, provides a wide array of information about the Corridor, including community information, arts and culture, housing and healthcare.
Online
Pick Your Pace—a workforce recruitment and retention tool—began with the former Priority One as a large packet of community information available to employers and employee prospects. The Economic Alliance has now joined with the Iowa City Area Development Group for the online version of Pick Your Pace,
www.pickyourpace.com.
Pick Your Pace provides information to residents and potential residents as to what is available in Iowa’s Creative Corridor, including: community, arts & culture, healthcare, housing, international vision, education, sports & recreation, business, dining and shopping options. We encourage you to use the site for potential employees and employees who may be new to the area. For more information about Pick Your Pace, contact Pam Hinman, communications manager at phinman@cedarrapids.org.
and personal.
Doug Kohoutek, President Colony Heating & Air Conditioning, Cedar Rapids Ohnward services: payroll, checking, loans
Member FDIC
Does his business banking online. But even so “You need a personal relationship with a local bank.” Unique needs, individually tailored solutions. “They know my business, which is why I’m with them.”
Where do you want to go?
Cedar Rapids
Marion
MOVE FORWARD
Monticello
Cascade
Onslow
Baldwin
OhnwardBank.com
november 2012
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Ribbon Cuttings
All Points September 27,2012
Boy Scouts September 28,2012
Integrity Integrated October 2,2012
Table for One October 4,2012
QPS Employement Group
Paramount Theatre October 26,2012
October 11,2012
New Customer The Pointe at Cedar Rapids
NewBo Market October 27,2012
Sara J. Neary, Leasing Manager 4025 Sherman St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 P: 319-395-0660 F: 319-393-5753 E: thepointe@cunat.com W: www.cunatinc.com The Pointe at Cedar Rapids combines convenience, quality and value for the perfect blend in apartment living. Enjoy a carefree lifestyle with access to all that Cedar Rapids has to offer. Our spacious one and two bedroom apartments and townhomes offer comfort and convenience. Luxurious amenities, including indoor pool and fitness center distinguish us as the area’s premier rental community.
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CEDAR RAPIDS METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
October PM Exchange Recap Honkamp Krueger & Company hosted our October PM Exchange, showcasing their beautiful office facility at 1751 Boyson Road in Hiawatha. Nearly 200 attendees enjoyed the reception complete with refreshments, appetizers and networking.
Contact the Economic Alliance and learn more about the numerous opportunities to maximize your marketing dollars. From PM Exchanges, Featured Customer of the Month, newsletter, on-line and more; The Economic Alliance can help you gain exposure and positively impact your bottom line.
november 2012
– a ——————— SUCCESS! More than 315 people attended the first-ever Next Gen. Summit, a half-day conference for young professionals co-hosted by ImpactCR and EPIC, the young professionals groups for Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The event featured special guest and keynote speaker, Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting. The event welcomed attendees on Monday, Oct. 15 with a message from Dee Baird on how to embrace the new Creative Corridor brand and the importance of regional collaboration, like that of EPIC and ImpactCR. Throughout the morning, attendees participated in quality breakout sessions regarding building professional communication skills, diversity in the workplace, tips on starting your own business, how to become the next top dog, and more. Attendees were also provided time to network and connect with 28 area nonprofit agencies, associated with the United Way of East Central Iowa and United Way of Johnson County. During her keynote speech, which received a standing ovation, Rebecca Ryan discussed seasons our country experiences, explaining that we’re currently in winter: a time of distress and instability in politics, safety and the economy. America also experienced winter during the American Revolution, Civil War and the Great Depression. She explained that the decisions we make now will impact generations to come, so it’s important to collaborate across generations and work together to make society better. She concluded by saying, “If we are going to become a country, or a Corridor that has a better future ahead of us, we need to shift thinking from ‘me’ to ‘we.’” We’re excited to note the steering committee is already in the throes of planning for the Next Gen. Summit in 2013. Stay tuned to www.impactcr.org for more details on volunteer, speaker and participation details.
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PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
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