The City of Cedar Rapids recognizes that most development projects require coordination with a number of different city and state departments, processes, and programs. These can range from local land-use zoning questions to applying for state grant resources. Below is a listing of partner agencies and resources for data that may be helpful.
Economic Development Partners
Economic Alliance
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance combines the economic and community development efforts of the former Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids Downtown District and Priority One. The new organization began January 1, 2012.
Through core functions of business support, economic development, community development, public policy and regional development we strive to be the top economic growth region in the country.
Entrepreneurial Development Center
The EDC's primary function is to connect entrepreneurial needs with qualified community and state resources and to provide hands-on professional and business direction. While working with both emerging and existing businesses, EDC supports the development and commercialization of new products and new technologies.
Go Cedar Rapids
For more than 35 years, the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, now GO Cedar Rapids, has attracted new events and conferences to the community, provided service and support for existing and repeat events, distributed comprehensive information to Cedar Rapids area visitors, and supported plans for future visitor product development. In Eastern Iowa, we encourage community pride and educate Cedar Rapids about the value of visitors, tourism and travel in Iowa.
Kirkwood Community College
Kirkwood not only creates our future workforce, but also helps employers in our seven-county area locate and train those valuable employees through an array of career services.
Diversity Focus
Diversity Focus strives to create a sustainable and innovative culture of inclusiveness, awareness and success ultimately leading people living and working in the Creative Corridor to lead healthier, happier and more prosperous lives.
New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative is a unique nonprofit organization, focused on ensuring Iowa is known, around the world,for making big things happen.
Kirkwood Small Business Development Center
The Kirkwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been serving the eastern Iowa counties of Linn, Benton and Jones since 1988. Its office – one of 16 regional assistance centers in the Iowa Small Business Development Centers network – is located in the Kirkwood Training and Outreach Services facility in Marion, Iowa.
MedQuarter
The MedQuarter is a revitalization partnership committed to promoting a dynamic urban medical community to improve quality of life, advocate for new businesses and jobs in a defined medical district. In 2011 the MedQuarter was established due to the support provided by property owners in the 54 square blocks of the downtown area anchored by Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital.
Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District
The Czech Village / New Bohemia Main Street District is a vibrant urban neighborhood model for historic preservation and economic development in the Midwest, a destination for both residents and visitors. Building on its unique history, the District is a dynamic arts and culture venue that provides interesting, authentic and enriching experiences with a variety of shopping, dining, arts and cultural entertainment opportunities that can only be found here.
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
ECICOG was created to promote regional cooperation and to provide professional planning services to local governments in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Tama, and Washington Counties.
Iowa State University-Cedar Rapids Partnership
Iowa State University and the City of Cedar Rapids have created a unique public-private partnership to foster increased interactions between faculty research and the city’s agricultural, food and bioprocessing industries. This partnership will support companies in Cedar Rapids by providing a connection to the resources and research available at Iowa State. It will identify opportunities for collaboration with Iowa State scientists, engineers, extension and economic development.
