Skip to Content
background texture image

Community Development

A Closer Look Spotlighting Cedar Rapids Metro

November 12, 2024 | Community Development, Downtown Cedar Rapids, Economic Development & Workforce

A Closer Look: Spotlight on Cedar Rapids

Iowa Realty, an Economic Alliance member since 1967, chats with Economic Alliance’s Director of Marketing & Communications Jule Day about ways they help drive econom...

Read Post
City View High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

August 21, 2024 | Community Development, Downtown Cedar Rapids, Economic Development & Workforce

City View High School Year Two: New Curriculum, New Opportunity

If you have ever visited us at 501 First St. SE, you may have noticed that the building is a bit...unorthodox. Nestled on the banks of the Cedar River, this three-story concre...

Read Post
Patrons walk the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

July 25, 2024 | Community Development, Economic Development & Workforce

Growing Communities: An Interview with one of our Market’s Longest-Serving Vendors

Can you believe the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is 19 years old? Over the years, it has grown from a small gathering to a destination occasion, attracting a variety o...

Read Post
Downtown Cedar Rapids Logo

December 21, 2023 | Community Development, Downtown Cedar Rapids

Downtown District Announces New Hire

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Downtown District announced today that Jennifar Bassett has been hired as the Downtown District Program Manager. Bassett will begin her new position o...

Read Post
Heidi Steffen Buy 319 Itinerary

December 6, 2023 | Buy 319

Buy 319 Itinerary Ft. Heidi Steffen

Heidi's holiday weekend with her family is a festive journey filled with local support at every turn. On Friday, they kick off the festivities with a family dinner at one of t...

Read Post

November 28, 2023 | Community Development

Holiday Lights Shimmer for the Season

Downtown is shimmering as twinkling lights go up in transforming the urban core. The MedQuarter and Downtown SSMIDs (Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District) have joined...

Read Post
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...

Read Post
Bloomsbury Farm Aerial

April 28, 2023 | Buy 319

Farm, Family and Community – The Ripple Effect of Working Together

Bloomsbury Farm is a local homestead that was founded in 1856. Dave Petersen and his wife Karen, the 5th generation to take over the Farm, started the agri-tourism business in...

Read Post
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company

February 20, 2023 | Business Support, Community Development

The Perfect Refreshing Partner of Restaurant Week 2023

Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company is the proud supporting sponsor of the Economic Alliance’s Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week 2023. Restaurant Week is a ten day, buy local foo...

Read Post
The YMCA Logo

November 23, 2022 | Business Support

YMCA – An Amazing Space

​Many members of our community are navigating obstacles and challenges in their every day lives, and the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA gives them an amazing space to navigate it a...

Read Post
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...

Read Post
Holding an ipad

October 24, 2022 | Business Support

Discussions Around DEI Remain Top of Mind for the ICR Region

When diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are ingrained in a society’s core, it’s a win for everyone. An equitable business community not only makes the local economy str...

Read Post
Ligo boxes

September 26, 2022 | Economic Development & Workforce

Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Announce Another Round of Funding for Child Care Business Incentive Grants

The Economic Alliance team hears regularly from our members about their workforce challenges, and that includes access to child care that create barriers for working parents. ...

Read Post
Squeeze in Summer - Sun with sunglasses

September 15, 2022 | Business Support

Squeeze in Summer Fun Before Fall Officially Arrives

According to the calendar, it’s still officially summer. So, before you put pumpkins on the porch or hang skeletons in your yard, here’s a list of all the ways to squeeze ...

Read Post
Image of Building

September 14, 2022 | Community Development

Big Little City for Your Housing Investment

​Moving to a new city is a life changing decision. Whether it’s for a new career opportunity or to move closer to family, investing in a home can be a big risk. The Cedar ...

Read Post