How the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance Benefits Your Business
Whether you’re starting your own venture or expanding a business that’s been a pillar of the community for years, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is ready to help you. The Alliance serves nearly 1,200 member businesses spread across the metro area no matter their size or function. Here’s how they can help you in four key areas.
Business Support
A strong environment that stands ready to nurture businesses is key to supporting employers. One of the Alliance’s most important tasks is to help grow small, locally owned ventures as they gain their footing in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Networking, business and professional development programs help first-time business owners connect with other local employers and develop better business strategies. Business owners who need extra feedback can also gain valuable insights from peers in non-competing sectors in specially arranged forums. Laid-back events like BizMix offer a low-key opportunity to network in a comfortable, casual setting.
Business Retention and Expansion
Economic development is a cornerstone of Cedar Rapids’ future and that starts with growing and maintaining the businesses that already call the city home. The Alliance maintains a particular focus on areas like:
- Bioprocessing and food ingredients
- Distribution and logistics
- Electronic equipment and design
- Financial services and insurance
- Information technology
- Process manufacturing
- Wind energy
If you’ve simply outgrown your current facility and or are moving to the metro area from a different city, the Alliance is happy to help. Businesses that are expanding or relocating to Cedar Rapids are eligible for all sorts of tools and resources to make the move easier, including assistance with site location and state and local financial incentives, workforce development, demographics and trade figures, as well as specialized activities that are customized to your particular project. The Alliance is dedicated to establishing Cedar Rapids as the top economic growth region in the country, and growing businesses like yours will make that vision a reality.
Community Development
A business can’t survive without a thriving community backing it up. The Economic Development Alliance is an important resource in growing Cedar Rapids as a community, not just as a business destination. Core business districts like Kingston and the MedQuarter Regional Medical District are community fixtures that are rife with development opportunities, and beautification initiatives like the Downtown Facade Improvement Program help drive people to your business by creating a welcoming storefront that draws people in. A regular downtown housing event, Urban Living, invites the community to chat with local developers while they explore the housing options near your establishment.
The Alliance can also help individual business owners grow their leadership skills and invest personally in the community. Leadership for Five Seasons, an innovative leadership training program, develops talented local participants into community advocates who are ready to make a positive impact.
Public Policy
The Economic Alliance and its partners (which include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa Chamber Alliance) advocate for pro-business policies that will encourage growth throughout the metro area and beyond. You can even get involved with their important advocacy yourself at events like Policy on the Rocks, which brings together lawmakers and Alliance members to discuss important issues at a rotating cast of member restaurants and bars. When you open a business in Cedar Rapids, you can trust that someone is looking out for your company’s best interests.
