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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2018 | IN THIS ISSUE
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 MEDCO launches platform for small business collaboration
The Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) has launched the
Loft Startup Exchange - a "community of like-minded business leaders seeking to connect, learn, and grow" - in response to feedback from small business partners who suggested running a small business often feels like operating on an island.
The Loft Startup Exchange, housed at MEDCO's Loft Coworking space, will serve as a platform to convene entrepreneurs working to establish and scale small businsseses.
"We want Startup Exchange to help folks make connections with others, share best practices, and uncover ways to collaborate in overcoming common challenges and opportunities," MEDCO President Nick Glew said in a release.
The exchange will target businesses with less than six employees, those in business for less than five years and/or with annual revenue of under $300,000. With membership priced at $100 a quarter, it is designed to be an affordable opportunity for companies to network and grow.
Membership benefits will include:
- Monthly meetup/collaboration opportunities with all Loft Coworking and Loft Startup Exchange members
- Quarterly coaching with Small Business Development Center staff
- Access to all Loft Coworking and MEDCO programming
- Access to Loft Coworking Conference Room and two free days per month at Loft Coworking
- Bi-weekly MEDCO e-newsletters
- A listing on MEDCO's website, with a business profile and link to company website
- Guidance and advisement on state and local economic development incentive assistance
For more information about the program, visit the MEDCO website.
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An $8.8 million federal grant will enable CID to expand its west cargo apron area, positioning it for growth in both freight and passenger service. CREDIT CID
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The Eastern Iowa Airport has received an $8.8 million Federal Aviation Administration grant to relocate and expand its cargo operation, positioning the airport to handle even more of the state's cargo needs.
The grant - the largest discretionary grant the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) has ever received in one year - comes from supplemental appropriations funds from the federal government, made possible by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018.
The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission will fund $1.5 million of the $10.3 million project, which will relocate CID's air cargo operations from the east apron to the west side of the airport property, adjacent to the FedEx facility. The new apron will be joint-use, meaning existing and potential new air cargo carriers will be able to use it. Three air cargo carriers currently serve CID: DHL, FedEx and UPS.
Airport Director Marty Lenss said the project will be transformational for CID.
"Year-to-date air cargo volume at CID is up 22 percent," he said in a statement. "We currently handle 45 percent of the state's cargo volume and based on projections, that percentage will increase to 48 percent by the end of 2018."
Nationally, e-commerce and next-day delivery is growing rapidly and CID is uniquely positioned to grow its freight, according to Mr. Lenss.
"The region's superior geographic location provides us the ability to serve 11 million more people with a one-day Department of Transportation drive time than any place along the I-35/I-80 corridor," he added.
In addition to expanding the west cargo apron area, the project will include construction of a connecting taxiway. That will allow the airport to construct a joint-use cargo center, improving CID's ability to expand both passenger and cargo capacity. Moving the cargo operations from its current location adjacent to the passenger terminal is expected to free up apron space to accommodate future growth for commercial passenger service and airlines' increasing use of larger aircraft.
Mr. Lenss extended thanks to Sen. Chuck Grassley and Foth Infrastructure & Environmental in Cedar Rapids, CID's engineering contractor.
Requests for bids on the project were finalized in August; seven bids were received. Flynn Company, Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa was awarded the project, pending approval of the grant. A ground breaking is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 3.
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For a complete list of this week's Movers & Shakers, see the Sept. 17 edition of the CBJ.
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The U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota on Tuesday granted Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' request to stop enforcement in Iowa of the controversial Waters of the United States rule, the governor's office announced.
"I am pleased the court granted my request to halt the WOTUS Rule in Iowa," Ms. Reynolds said in a statement. "Now, Iowa farmers and small business owners will not be burdened by this federal overreach while we continue fighting to permanently end the WOTUS Rule."
The court ordered the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by Ms. Reynolds, 12 states and two agencies of a 13th state against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The WOTUS Rule, which would expand both agencies' authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate most bodies of water in the U.S., is now on hold in 25 states.
The lawsuit challenges the WOTUS Rule, which was adopted by the Obama administration and took effect in August after a federal court in South Carolina ruled the EPA could not suspend it. The court reinstated the rule in Iowa and other states where it had not yet been preliminarily enjoined.
Ms. Reynolds said she will continue to pursue the federal lawsuit in cooperation with other plaintiff states to permanently overturn the rule.
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Longtime Coralville City Administrator Kelly Hayworth, accompanied by wife Nancy, shown following his induction into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame. CREDIT CITY OF CORALVILLE
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Coralville City Administrator Kelly Hayworth was inducted into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame at its annual conference in Council Bluffs last week.
The award recognizes individuals who have provided extraordinary public service to the league and local government.
Mr. Hayworth has served in his post for 30 years, a time of unprecedented change and growth, including the doubling of the city's population, according to release from the city. During that time he has overseen numerous projects, including development of Coral Ridge Mall, the deployment of $70 million in flood protection funding and the landing of brownfield grants that paved the way for the Iowa River Landing.
He is vice-chair of the Iowa Municipalities Workers' Compensation Association Board of Trustees, a past president of the Hawkeye Area Scout Council, and serves on the boards of the Salvation Army of Iowa City, the Iowa City Area Development Group, the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.
In a statement, Coralville Mayor John Lundell, who has served as president of the Iowa League Cities during the past year, expressed pride in Mr. Hayworth's induction.
"Kelly is most deserving of this prestigious honor, having not only served the city of Coralville for over 30 years, but also contributing his time and talents to many worthy organizations both locally and statewide."
League Hall of Fame inductees are nominated for the honor by their peers. Mr. Hayworth's nomination was accompanied by an unprecedented six letters of support from area leaders.
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Sept. 20
BizMix: VanDerGinst Law, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 4-6 p.m., 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. BizMix brings together area professionals for an evening of casual networking over complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and is hosted by a different member business each month. Free.
bit.ly/2MlYN2R.
Sept. 24
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Hy-Vee Market Grille, Lantern Park Plaza, 1914 Eighth St., Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free for members. Call the chamber at (319) 337-9637 if interested and not a member.
Food and Beverage Forum
, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 3-4:30 p.m., WineStyles, 4201 42nd St. NE, Ste. 170, Cedar Rapids. This wine tasting geared toward food and beverage professionals will feature Sam Hanna of the Loyal Customers Club about ways to market to customers. M
eet with other hospitality professionals to discuss products, challenges, events, and ideas that drive innovation. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2xbZ2aq.
Sept. 25
Ribbon Cutting: Zoned Strategies, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, noon, 700 11th St. Ste. 202A, Marion. Help celebrate the opening of Zoned Strategies' new Marion office. Free.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
Cedar Rapids Police found one person with a gunshot wound early Wednesday morning and are investigating the shooting. Officers were called out to 819 Fifth Ave. SW at 1:07 a.m. Wednesday. The victim, whose name and condition have yet to be released, was sent to UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital for treatment.
One man has been arrested and charged in the murder of former Iowa State golfer Celia Barquin Armozamena. The 22-year-old's body was found at Coldwater Golf Course at 1400 S. Grand Ave. in Ames on Monday. Golfers say they found a golf bag with no one around and called police. Ms. Armozamena's body was found "some distance away" from the bag in a pond with multiple stab wounds. Collin Richards, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder. A criminal complaint says Richards was living in a tent in a temporary camp near the golf course and that he had allegedly told an acquaintance about his "urge to rape and kill a woman." Officers say Mr. Richards had several scratches on his face and a deep laceration on his left hand. They recovered a knife in his possession. Ms. Armozamena was the Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year after winning a Big 12 golf title last season.
T
hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
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CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
July weather in September is the best way to describe the weather pattern today and tomorrow. Mid-summer-like thunderstorm complexes continue to impact the region bringing heavy rainfall and an isolated severe risk. Thunderstorms are likely by mid/late morning across the eastern part of the state from a complex of storms originating in northwest Iowa. This will bring heavy rainfall in excess of 2 inches in some locations. There will also be an isolated severe risk with this activity, with the main concern being gusty winds. Given heavy rain in locations yesterday, there is also a concern of localized flash flooding. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms will ignite yet again, with the main concern being the far north, but everyone will have that risk for rainfall.
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