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TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE

Giving Tuesday Now takes off in the Corridor
United Fire exits personal lines in deal with Nationwide
In the CBJ: Hospitals easing back into surgery routine
Erwin joins Deere board of directors
• T hird, final candidate announced in Tippie dean search
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast
Giving Tuesday Now takes off in the Corridor
A day that is usually reserved for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is being recognized today to raise awareness to the needs surrounding the nonprofit sector during the COVID-19 pandemic through #GivingTuesdayNow, the Business Record reports .

Giving Tuesday  began in 2012 and has expanded to a global campaign where people can contribute their time, donations or their voice to causes they care about. More than $511 million was donated online on Giving Tuesday 2019, with that number growing to more than $1.9 billion with “offline” contributions, such as time and money given to a cause.

An addition to this year’s already scheduled #Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1, 2020, #GivingTuesdayNow is meant to serve as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Community members are encouraged to donate supplies, give to local nonprofits, help small businesses by buying gift cards, or reach out to others in the community who may be isolated or need a hand.

“Nonprofit organizations are facing unprecedented challenges to meet the demand for their services and to sustain their organizations during this time,” said Michelle Beisker, senior vice president of development at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, in a release. “This day of giving provides a time for residents to show their support of their community.”

Among the many local initiatives or fundraising campaigns underway in the Corridor:

  • The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has announced that Toyota will match all gifts up to $25,000 to the foundation’s COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund, which was created in mid-March to provide rapid response grants.
  • United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties has announced it will use today to thank frontline health care workers, raise funds to support its Community Disaster Relief Fund and partner with Iowa City’s Noon Rotary club to feed health care providers in the community, through the purchase of boxed lunches.
  • The Food Bank of Iowa is working to raise money to support the growing demand for its food distribution programs. According to its #GivingTuesdayNow page, it has already raised more than $15,000 as part of the campaign.
  • Four Oaks is working to raise $23,000, the amount of additional expenses incurred each week to adequately provide for the nonprofit’s residents, their families and all those served by the organization. Expenses include materials and cleaning supplies, along with additional staff time.
  • The Friends of the Marion Public Library and the Marion Independent School Foundation & Alumni Association are working to get books in the hands of Marion families, by raising funds for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library as part of #GivingTuesdayNow. Residents can also purchase a book for a Marion Independent School child from Amazon, for distribution during a grab-and-go lunch on May 28.
  • Alliant Energy has announced it will donate $70,000 to community action programs (CAP) agencies in Iowa and Wisconsin as part of #GivingTuesdayNow. The donation will allow 21 CAP agencies in Iowa and Wisconsin to assist low-income individuals and families. The funds will help them with necessities, including food, bills, hygiene and medical expenses. In Iowa, the CAP agencies will also use the donation to launch a fundraising campaign.

For more details about #GivingTuesdayNow and a list of ideas and inspiration projects, visit now.givingtuesday.org .

Find more COVID-19-related business and community updates on the CBJ's coronavirus updates page .
UFG exits personal lines in deal with Nationwide
United Fire & Casualty (UFG), strategically refocusing on its commercial insurance lines, has reached a deal for its independent insurance agents to transfer its personal lines policies to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

A renewal rights agreement with Nationwide to transfer policies, announced Monday, remains subject to regulatory approval. Under that agreement, UFG's network of independent insurance agents will have the opportunity to transfer their policies to Nationwide beginning in the third quarter of this year.

Nationwide will offer contracts to UFG personal lines agents across the country, with the exception of agents in Florida and Louisiana. UFG personal lines policyholders will be provided with replacement policies by Nationwide at the time of renewal to ensure no lapse in coverage, and the policies will have nearly identical or improved coverage and pricing.

In a news release, UFG Insurance, the corporate parent of United Fire & Casualty, said the change is meant to focus on the success of its commercial insurance lines, which makes up 94% of its total business, and was not a result of market conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“UFG’s decision to exit the personal lines market was purely a strategic one as we concentrate our efforts on the growth and profitability of our core commercial lines business, including commercial insurance, excess and surplus lines insurance and surety bonds,” explained UFG President and CEO Randy Ramlo. “We are pleased to be able to partner with Nationwide in this decision - a leading insurer in the personal lines market that shares our commitment to serving independent insurance agents and their customers. We look forward to working with Nationwide in the months ahead to ensure a seamless transfer process and a successful outcome for all those involved.”

The deal follows the March 2018 transfer of its United Life Insurance Co. to Kuvare US Holdings Inc. in a $280 million deal . A decision related to UFG's personal lines policies in Florida and Louisiana will be made at a later date.
In the CBJ: Hospitals easing back into surgery routine
Corridor hospitals are gradually resuming elective surgeries as they weigh patients’ needs and the availability of supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Kim Reynolds on April 24 lifted a month-long ban on nonelective surgical procedures aimed at preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies in the state, albeit with some strict stipulations.

The proclamation allowed nonelective surgeries to resume April 27, but requires health care organizations to have enough PPE to perform both those surgeries and treat COVID-19 patients. Hospitals must also reserve at least 30% of intensive care unit beds and 30% of medical/surgical beds for COVID-19 patients.

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City resumed procedures right away, citing its PPE acquisition and conservation efforts as well as added testing capabilities.

Last week, an average of 30 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at UIHC each day – all separately isolated from the hospital’s other patients.

“We run about 800-850 hospital beds, so that’s really a small proportion of what we do. We feel like we can very safely and very efficiently do both at the same time,” UIHC CEO Suresh Gunasekaran told the CBJ.

He cited concern about patients who had already put off much-needed surgeries for several months due to the pandemic.

“Most of our patients are really complex patients and have complex illnesses,” he said. “Now that this is dragging on for so long, so many patients got postponed that have really serious conditions. So, we’ve just been prioritizing them based on the clinical need, trying to get them back in, so that they can get the improvement they need.”

Read the full members-only story in this week's print or digital editions of the CBJ.

IMAGE: With a safe supply of personal protective equipment, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has resumed elective surgeries. CREDIT UIHC
Erwin joins Deere board of directors
Tamra Erwin, executive vice president and CEO of Verizon Business, a division of Verizon Communications Inc., has joined the Deere & Co. board of directors.

Originally from Seattle, Ms. Erwin joined Verizon in the late 1980s as a customer service representative. In subsequent years, her positions included chief marketing officer and executive vice president of wireless operations. She serves on the Verizon foundation board and the Paley Media Center board of trustees.

"We are pleased to welcome a business leader of Tami's stature to the Deere board," said Deere Chairman and CEO John May, in a release. "Her wealth of experience in the telecommunications field will be of particular value as we extend our leadership in smart connected machines and precision technologies. Tami's background in marketing and customer support is yet another asset she brings to our board."

With Ms. Erwin's election, the Deere board will have 11 members.

IMAGE: Tamra Erwin
Third, final candidate announced in Tippie dean search
A University of Iowa search committee has announced the three finalists vying to become the next dean of the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business.

Gerard (Gerry) Sanders, dean of the College of Business at the University of Texas at San Antonio, is visiting campus virtually today. His curriculum vitae can be viewed here .

The other two finalists are Laku Chidambaram, associate dean for Academic Programs & Engagement in the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma, and Kurt Carlson, fields professor and associate dean of Faculty & Academic Affairs in the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary. A fourth candidate dropped out of contention before they could be announced.

A new dean is expected to be in place in the fall 2020 semester. For more information, visit the  search website .

IMAGE: Gerard (Gerry) Sanders.
Connect with the CBJ

The CBJ’s mission of informing and connecting the Corridor’s business community is more important than ever. Our news operations will continue researching and reporting on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through our multiple distribution channels. Here’s how you can connect with us today and moving forward:

  • You can reach our newsroom directly with leads, updates, cancellations, etc. at news@corridorbusiness.com.
  • Our comprehensive, deep-dive content continues in our weekly CBJ. If you are not a digital subscriber, you can sign up here.
  • Our daily news coverage solution is spread throughout the week with our free e-newsletters. If you have not already signed up, you can do so here.
  • Updated coronavirus information will also be published on our website, corridorbusiness.com/latest-coronavirus-updates, and through our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn channels.
  • All of our staff members remain available to assist you. You can find our full contact information at www.corridorbusiness.com/cbj-contact.

Remember: Subscribers can access the digital CBJ anytime and anywhere. Don't remember your password? Please email  jean@corridorbusiness.com for a password reset.

The CBJ print subscribers can also temporarily have the CBJ mailed to their home. To temporarily switch your address, please send your full temporary mailing address to  jean@corridorbusiness.com. Please include start and stop dates for the temporary address.

Thank you for your continued support of the Corridor Business Journal.
Short Term Event Planner
 
May 6
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., online. Join this virtual meeting for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. To join, visit zoom.us/j/818148137 .

Community Funding for Economic Development, by ICR Iowa, 9:30-10:30 a.m., online. Learn about EDA, USDA and IEDA funding resources designed to help communities and regions recover post-pandemic. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3aUSNJS .

Leading Remotely, by Mount Mercy University, 10 a.m., online. Pick up a few tips and tricks that will help you transition to work-home life. Free. To register, visit mtmercy.edu/workfromhome .
   
Knowledgebase, Self-Service and Building a Community During the COVID-19 Outbreak, by Technology Association of Iowa, 1-2 p.m., online. Learn how to build a place where customers can connect and collaborate with each other. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2VUsRdt .

May 7
Virtual Wake Up Marion, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 8:30-9:30 a.m., online. Meet Bickford Cottage director Jacobi Feckers and her team during this virtual version of Wake Up Marion! Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2zzuZ1f

Washington Business Hangout, by Washington Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Washington, 1:30 p.m., online. Washington Chamber members are invited to a Google Hangout to address ways to proactively promote community businesses. Hangouts will be held each Tuesday and Thursday. Free. To join, visit meet.google.com/fiu-sfok-daq or dial in to (219) 401-0636 (PIN 264113127#).

COVID-19 and Higher Education, by CLA, 2-3:30 p.m., online. Learn about the impact COVID-19 is having on institutions of higher learning, and new funding options. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2VNKzz0 .
Headlines from KCRG-TV9
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9  
 
Iowa City police have made a second arrest in connection with the shooting death of Kejuan Winters that occurred on April 20. Officials said Durojaiye Antonio Rosa, 22, is charged with First Degree Murder for his role in Winters’ death. Iowa City first responders say they were called to 1960 Broadway, apartment A2, on April 20, for a disturbance. Gunshots can be heard on the call. Officers found Rosa and an adult female present at the residence. They told police a man, matching the shooter's description, entered the residence, fought with the victim and then a gunshot was heard. In a follow-up interview, Rosa admitted to discussing a plan to rob the victim, but that he did not plan for the victim to be shot. Police are still searching for Reginald “Reggie” Little, 44, a person of interest in the case.
The only other person facing charges at this time is 21-year-old Jordan Hogan, who police say lied to them during their investigation. The investigation is ongoing. The Iowa City Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident, or Little's whereabouts, to call (319) 356-5276.

Police in Waterloo have arrested a man for an alleged drive-by shooting at a house on May 3. Officers said Trenton J. Sliekers, 27, of 1311 Forest Ave., was arrested for intimidation with a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying weapons, possession of marijuana and possession of burglar tools. This was after police received a report of six gunshots that hit a house at 212 W. 10th St., and then a person driving away on a motorcycle. Police then found .38 caliber bullet slugs at the residence, a .38-caliber revolver in a mailbox near the suspect, and a motorcycle parked in the area of West 12th Street and Commercial Street.

These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
Scattered showers hang around throughout the rest of the day and end early tonight. When it's not raining, you may have some drizzle. Additional rainfall should mostly be under a quarter-inch. While it's not a lot, the wet weather and thick clouds are enough to keep temperatures chilly, holding them in the upper 40s to around 50, nearly 20 degrees below normal. Tomorrow will be much warmer as highs hit the lower 60s under a partly cloudy sky. A handful of isolated, brief showers is possible in the afternoon. Thursday also has highs in the 60s with partial sunshine.