THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Jennifer Daly, the newly appointed CEO of Iowa's Creative Corridor Joint Venture
Jennifer Daly has been named the first president and CEO of a joint venture between the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the Iowa City Area Development Group designed to lead the Corridor's workforce development and business recruitment efforts.

Ms. Daly is currently CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council in Illinois, a position she has held since November 2014. She currently leads a restructured five-county economic development council that brought together three economic development boards to form a united regional organization.

In the Corridor, Ms. Daly will work with regional and economic development organizations and workforce organizations to facilitate and coordinate strategic objectives. 

In a press release, joint venture board co-chairs Lydia Brown and Tom Goedken praised Ms. Daly's experience and fit for the position.

"We are thrilled to be able to relaunch and move the strategic direction forward for the joint venture," Mr. Goedken said in the release. "A lot of hard work has gone into creating this entity, and we have now found the right person to lead it into its next successful phase."

Ms. Daly is familiar to many in the Corridor nonprofit community, as the co-founder and former executive director of programs for the Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville. She has also served as executive director of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce and Area Development Commission, and the Morton Chamber of Commerce and Morton Economic Development Council in Illinois.

"I'm excited to return to my hometown region to help support, align and scale the business and talent development efforts already well underway," Ms. Daly stated in a press release.

The regional workforce joint venture was announced in January 2015 and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, the Iowa's Creative Corridor Economic Development Board, in January 2016.

Ms. Daly will continue her work in Peoria until July 7, according to a statement issued by the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.
Story2CR Metro Economic Alliance appoints Neumann to lead
 
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance CEO Doug Neumann
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has tapped its interim CEO as permanent leader of the 1,200-member organization.
 
Doug Neumann, 47, was selected to fill the post after serving as interim CEO for about one year. In his 10 years with the Economic Alliance and the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, he has been heavily involved in flood recovery, transferring the city's downtown parking organization to private management and development of the downtown farmers market.

"We are proud of the leadership Doug has provided the staff, the organization and the business community, and we are pleased to make this a permanent position for him and the organization," Economic Alliance Board Chair Ted Townsend stated in a press release.

Mr. Neumann said receiving the permanent appointment will enable him to focus on longer term strategies and goals for the organization. Some of the issues he expects to be priorities in the year ahead include working to support the efforts of the new workforce joint venture between the Economic Alliance and the ICAD Group (see above) and policy initiatives to support continued trade access for area industries.

The appointment of Jennifer Daly to head the workforce joint venture, coming on the same day, provide an opportunity to "relaunch and reenergize our regional work," Mr. Neumann said. He also expressed pride in the accomplishments of Economic Alliance staff, which have included all-time high new member enrollments in the past year, and a record month for new members in January.

Rendering courtesy of Fusion Architects
A high-traffic location that has been home to Peck's Green Thumb Nursery and Garden Shop for 61 years will be redeveloped as a retail center sharing the Peck's name, under plans unveiled this week by Ahmann Companies.

Joe Ahmann, a real estate developer and owner of Ahmann Companies, has 20.8 acres of land under contract to purchase at 3990 Blairs Ferry Road NE for the retail center, called Peck's Landing.

The Peckosh family have operated Peck's Green Thumb Nursery since 1956. The business plans to continue operating the garden shop through this growing season, according to a joint press release. After the property is transferred, the company will continue operating its landscaping business, Peck's Landscaping.

Ahmann Companies has begun a lengthy due diligence process, which includes rezoning, platting and design. Depending on the outcome, it expects construction to begin in the fall.

"We're encouraged by the fact that we've seen a fair amount of interest in this location from both local and national retailers," said Craig Byers, listing agent for the project. He said development lots of 1.9-10.6 acres are being offered for sale, and retail suites ranging in size from 1,800-100,000 square feet are being offered for lease.

Ahmann Companies will be the developer for this project, Compass Commercial Services will be the general contractor, Fusion Architects will be the commercial architect and Craig Byers with Pivot Real Estate will be the commercial leasing agent.

Peck's Landing is adjacent to The Fountains, another project developed by Ahmann Companies. The Fountains is a 19.3-acre mixed-use work/play development comprised of 40,500 square feet of retail and 200,000 square feet of Class A office space.
Story4CBJ announces 2017's Fastest Growing Companies 

 
The Corridor Business Journal (CBJ) this week
announced 2017's Fastest Growing Companies in the Corridor. 
 
The 25 honorees will be recognized at a June 7 awards banquet and profiled in the June 12 edition of the weekly CBJ.

Accounting firm Honkamp Krueger ranked nominated companies according to revenue growth over a two-year period, with consideration given to both dollar and percentage increases. To apply, companies had to demonstrate revenue of at least $350,000 in each of the fiscal years ending 2014, 2015 and 2016, and be headquartered in Kirkwood's seven-county region.
 
2017 Fastest Growing Companies (listed alphabetically):
  • Ahmann Design Inc.
  • Circle Computer Resources
  • Clickstop Inc.
  • Collective Data
  • Converge Consulting
  • de Novo Alternative Marketing
  • Entrepreneurial Services Group
  • Fiberutilities Group LLC
  • Hanna Plumbing & Heating
  • Hardscape Solutions of Iowa Inc.
  • Higher Learning Technologies
  • IAHomes
  • Involta
  • Katalyst Systems Impact
  • MediRevv Inc.
  • Midwest Microwave Solutions Inc.
  • Moxie Solar
  • Ovation Networks Inc.
  • Premier Staffing
  • Ready Wireless LLC
  • Sitler's Supplies
  • Spotix Inc.
  • Streff Electric
  • Tri-County Enterprises Inc.
  • Vspec
The rankings for the top 25 companies will be revealed at the 10th Anniversary Fastest Growing Companies event, with videos on each company, culminating in the announcement of the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company. The CBJ will also name the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year.

The awards banquet will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. June 7 at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Tickets are $50 per individual and $450 per table of 10. For more information or to register, visit www.corridorbusiness.com/events or contact Ashley Levitt at [email protected] or (319) 665-6397, ext. 311. The registration deadline is May 31.
 
Friday night marks the official opening of the 92nd season at Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center in Cedar Rapids, with leaders promising a fresh focus and renewed energy at the established attraction.
 
Friday's first race is "Grandparents Night" with pits opening at 4 p.m., gates at 6 p.m. and racing beginning at 7:30 p.m. The season ahead will feature a full lineup of Hy-Vee Racing Series heats, with teams from Performance Concepts Big 8 Late Models, Mountain Dew Sportsmen, Anderson Automotive Hobby Stocks, Miller Time Hornets, and Dublin City Pub INEX Legend Cars taking to the track.
 
A new event this year will be Military Night, set for June 16 at 5 p.m. That event is sponsored by Cassill Motors, owned by ardent Hawkeye Downs supporter Roger Cassill, the father of NASCAR Sprint Cup Racer Series driver Landon Cassill. 
 
Hawkeye Downs Board President Josh Moore said the board and staff have reevaluated the basis, support and opportunities for the 90-acre facility, seeking and listening to community input.

Executive Director Ann Poe said significant improvements have already been made to the Downs. They include a new kid zone, new signage, physical improvements to the facility and grounds, and expanded features and activities.

"With the help of strong community partners, it's all about revitalizing our facilities and finding new and exciting opportunities for moving Hawkeye Downs forward as a robust community venue," Ms. Poe stated in a press release.
Be the one who knows

Forward the FREE CBJ Business Daily newsletter to your friends and colleagues, and share the feeling of being informed! Use our fast, one-minute subscription to the CBJ's newsletters here, or check out our other subscription options here.

See something we missed? Send tips, leads, corrections, etc. to [email protected].

EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner

May 4
Ribbon Cutting - Vella Yoga, by the Marion Chamber, 4 p.m., 1317 Seventh Ave., Ste. A, Marion. All are invited to help celebrate. Free. For more information, call (319) 377-6316.

May 4-5
EntreFEST , by NewBoCo and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, registration opens at 7 a.m. both days, MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque, Iowa City. EntreFEST is a gathering of Iowa's entrepreneurial and innovation community. Neil Blumenthal, co-CEO of Warby Parker, is this year's keynote. Cost: $385. For more information, visit bit.ly/2pegMj6 .
 
May 5
Second Annual Golf Outing and Fashion Show Fundraiser, by the University of Iowa's REACH Program, Golf: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with shotgun start at noon, Finkbine Golf Course, 1380 Melrose Ave., Iowa City. Lunch at 11 a.m., beverage cart service throughout and a cocktail party. Guests can also choose the cocktail party and fashion show, 6-8 p.m., University Club, 1360 Melrose Ave., Iowa City, with UI REACH students as models and clothing donated by local vendors. All proceeds go to support UI REACH scholarships. Cost: $150/golfer and $35/fashion show guest or $165/combination discounted ticket. For more information or to register, visit www.education.uiowa.edu/reach/golf-and-fashion  
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
All sixth grade seats have been filled for the 2017-2018 school year at the new  Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Magnet school. Program leaders say because of increased interest in the program, the Cedar Rapids Community School District is opening more seats for 7th and 8th grade students. The additional seats are limited and students will be accepted through a blind lottery. The new deadline for applications is Friday, June 2. Parents interested in having their child attend can enter the lottery by completing an online application, available here.
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
 
Sunshine will prevail through the end of the week and weekend, although it will remain cool. There will be plenty of sunshine today with temperatures climbing into the low to mid 60s across Eastern Iowa. It will be breezy with strong north winds around 10-20 mph. It will remain breezy tonight and under mostly clear skies, temperatures will fall close to 40. Sunny skies and breezy conditions continue into Friday and temperatures will just be slightly warmer with highs in the mid 60s.