Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

Join us 12/11 at Cedar Ridge in Swisher, as we join forces once again with Greater Iowa City, Inc. to unveil our region’s state and federal priorities for 2025. This is the seventh consecutive year the Economic Alliance and Greater IC have united to advocate to state and federal policymakers. The Regional Legislative Launch, presented by ADM and Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., is a unique opportunity to network directly with policymakers and their staff. Drinks, and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g3vf-s2A

??Save the date!?? The 37th annual Celebration of Agriculture is March 26. “Celebration of Ag” is an opportunity for those involved in all aspects of agribusiness??to play a role in shaping the dynamic agricultural industry of Iowa. Join nearly 700 attendees to enjoy an evening of networking, dinner, and keynote speakers. More information soon!

Today is Jule Day's ??fourth anniversary?? at the Economic Alliance, and we're FOURtunate to have her! In honor of her big day, we asked her some intriguing questions: -Why did you want to work for/be a part of the Economic Alliance? To be a part of change that tangibly affects the people and community I care about. Projects I work on and lead with my team can be enjoyed by my family and friends, bring joy to the community, and have a positive impact that I, too, feel fulfilled from. Being part of a small team means you wear a lot of hats, so you certainly feel like you are an extreme value add to everything that we do because, without each of us, many things would NOT happen! We are busy, but man, do we also feel important. -What has been the most rewarding part of being a part of this team? The degree of talent, experience, and diversity in backgrounds on this team is second to none. Many incredible people have been a part of this organization, and I'm honored to be a part of that roster. You feel like you are a part of something special on this team, and even as we grow, our new talent brings GREAT energy! -How are you planning on celebrating your anniversary? What excites you about the upcoming year? Our team is growing. There are LOTS of new ideas in the pipeline. There won't really be an opportunity to stop and party, but we will celebrate year-round by doing awesome things for our communities. -What is your favorite Economic Alliance brand color and why? Green. Green means growth, balance, and thoughtfulness. It also happens to work perfectly with strawberry blonde locks ??

At last week's Let’s Get Down to Business, Sarah Hermanson from One Above HR broke down the different values and motivations among the many generations currently in the workforce. Thanks to our series sponsor, Mediacom Business, for supporting the session. Be on the lookout for more business support programming in 2025!

REMINDER: ??Our November BizMix is Thursday!?? Meet us at the Marion Chamber for a vibrant, tropical twist on networking, hosted by Mango Mustache Media. Stop by for great food and refreshments, stay for insightful conversation and newfound connections. ?? Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024 ?? Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ?? 1070 7th Ave, Marion BizMix is free for all attendees, and brings together area professionals for an evening of casual networking over complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. This event provides EA members with increased opportunities for participation and connections. We hope to see you there!

The week of November 11th, we will introduce a new and exciting chapter of buying and supporting local with our Buy319 Gift Card program! Powered by Yiftee and presented by GreenState Credit Union, Buy319 Gift Cards will be available for purchase just in time for the holidays. These gift cards can be used at any participating Economic Alliance member business that chooses to be involved.

For both employers and job seekers, compensation plays a crucial role not just in the hiring process- but also in retaining talent. Iowa’s top employment agency, Palmer Group, has developed a Salary Guide offering expert insights from Iowa businesses (and our economic development team) to provide clarity in a delicate, evolving economy.

?? Happy New Year! ?? joking, but as the holiday season fast approaches, we already have one eye on 2025. With that said, here are some tools to help you prepare and events to get excited about!??

Iowa Realty, an Economic Alliance member since 1967, chats with Economic Alliance's Director of Marketing & Communications, Jule Day, about ways they drive economic, workforce, and population growth strategies to help businesses succeed. Watch her conversation with Cassandra Halls and learn more about how you can be a part of it! We appreciate the opportunities we gain from working with our member organizations— Thank you, Iowa Realty, for your membership and partnership in this segment of "A Closer Look". Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gvcdxyRU

It's 11/11 today, so what better day to celebrate Clarissa Koch’s 11th anniversary at the Economic Alliance? ??Congrats, CK!?? In honor of her big day, we asked her questions discussing the past, present, and future: Why did you want to work for/be a part of the Economic Alliance? -I desired to be better connected to my community, and I realized being a part of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance would create valuable opportunities toward this goal. Seeing my artwork around the community is a deeply fulfilling perk, too! What has been most rewarding about being a part of this team? -Our team is committed to helping the Cedar Rapids Metro thrive in every way possible, so being part of this team means being invested in creating solutions and success. What excites you about the upcoming year? -A new year means new opportunities, and I’m excited for innovative, creative ways to communicate with the community. What is your favorite Economic Alliance brand color and why? As a graphic designer, I’m obligated to remind you they are all important, and it’s not a clear choice. If you pressed me for one, though, I’d go with our purple… or chartreuse.