MONDAY, OCT. 5, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE

• Bars reopen in Johnson County after prolonged shutdown
• Iowa economy shows continued growth in September
• Rising wind turbines push Alliant past 1,000 MW milestone
• Iowa awarded export support funds from SBA
• Marion Water Dept. relocates administrative offices
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast

The annual CBJ Leaders Survey is now open to CBJ print and digital members. Contact jean@corridorbusiness.com if you haven't received the link. Survey closes Oct. 15.
Bars reopen in Johnson County after prolonged shutdown
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has reopened bars, breweries and wineries in Johnson and Story counties, after a five-week shutdown that left many local bar owners fuming over a lack of clarity and support.
 
The governor issued the proclamation on Friday, ending a five-week shutdown in the two counties as cases and positivity rates continue to drop at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The UI reported has reported only 11 new student cases and three employee cases since Sept. 30, according to an online dashboard, after reporting hundreds of infections at the start of the semester.
 
Bars and restaurants must continue to ensure social distancing of at least six feet between groups, and that all patrons are seated at a table, booth or bar, according to the proclamation, which is set to end Oct. 18.
 
Bar owners, speaking to the CBJ for a feature story in this week’s print and digital editions, expressed their frustrations with the governor for the length and targeted nature of the shutdown, and with state government, which offered only one-time grants of $10,000 to bar owners facing tens of thousands in expenses and lost inventory while being forced to close.

For Jason Zeman, the owner of Eden, Studio 13, the Iowa City Yacht Club and Players, the governor’s new proclamation is welcome news.

“There is no alternative because without government assistance, basically as a business owner, we have to operate or otherwise we are going to go out of business and our employees won’t have a place to work,” Mr. Zeman told news partner KCRG-TV9.

Johnson County bar owners are now hoping that new initiatives, such as the Iowa City Downtown District’s new Bar & Restaurant Pledge, will encourage patrons to take the necessary precautions when visiting establishments, allowing Johnson County’s bars and clubs to remain open for good.
 
I think a lot of people don’t want to see this happen again, so they will hopefully enforce the rules and follow the rules,” Mr. Zeman said.

IMAGE: Outside Bo James, a popular bar in downtown Iowa City, on a recent evening. PHOTO KATHARINE CARLON
Iowa economy shows continued growth in September
Iowa’s economy continued to improve in September behind strengthening employment and production, according to the monthly Mid American Business Conditions Index released this week by Creighton University, the Des Moines Business Record reports.

Iowa’s Business Conditions Index rose to 67.1, up from 56.4 in August. For the region, the index has increased five consecutive months to 65.1, up from 60 in August, and to its highest level since May 2018. It also marked the fourth-straight month above neutral growth.

The index, a monthly survey of supply managers in nine states, is a mathematical average of indexes for new orders, production or sales, employment, inventories, and delivery lead time. It ranges from zero to 100, with an index of greater than 50 suggesting an expanding economy over the next three to six months.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton’s Economic Forecasting Group, said despite improvements, the manufacturing sector remains below pre-COVID-19 levels.

"Creighton’s monthly survey results have mirrored the national manufacturing survey results indicating that the manufacturing sector has been expanding at a solid pace since sinking to a post-2008 recession low in April," Mr. Goss said in the report. "Even so, current output in the regional and U.S. manufacturing sectors remains well below pre-COVID-19 levels."

In Iowa, Mr. Goss said improved employment helped push the index higher in September.

"Validating a rapidly improving state economy, U.S. Department of Labor data indicate that the state’s insured unemployment rate stood at 1.7% in the second week of March, peaked at 12.4% in the first week of May, and fell to 4.3% in the first week of September," he said.

According to the report, indexes for new orders in Iowa stood at 80 in September, with production or sales measuring 70.5, employment at 67.4, inventories at 64.8 and delivery lead time at 65.7. Despite improvement, worker shortages were reported by 40% of supply managers in the nine-state region, the report showed.
Rising wind turbines push Alliant past 1,000 MW milestone
Alliant Energy has announced the completion of its plan to add 1,000 megawatts (MW) of wind production in Iowa, several months ahead of schedule.

The milestone comes as the company completes its 130 MW Richland Wind Farm in Sac County in west-central Iowa. Alliant now counts five wind projects in the state, producing nearly 1,300 MW in total – roughly enough to power approximately 430,000 Iowa homes, and making it the third-largest utility owner-operator of regulated wind in the United States.

“Thank you to the many leaders throughout the state who have helped us deliver more renewable energy to our customers,” said Terry Kouba, president of Alliant’s Iowa energy company, in a release. “With wind, because there are no associated fuel costs, our investment in this renewable, natural resource provides long-term savings for our customers. At the same time, we’ll continue delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy to the communities we serve.”

Iowa is a national leader in wind energy, ranking third for wind power production, behind only Texas and Oklahoma. In 2018, the state sourced more than a third of its power from wind, with wind turbines and farms generating more than $58 million in state and local taxes, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

IMAGE: A worker stands in the shadow of an Alliant-owned wind turbine. PHOTO ALLIANT
Iowa awarded export support funds by SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $100,000 to the Iowa Economic Development Authority to support export growth among small businesses through the SBA’s competitive State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
 
STEP is designed to help small businesses take advantage of new export opportunities by increasing the number of small businesses that export, the value of their exports and the number of small businesses that explore significant new trade opportunities. Expanding the base of small business exporters and streamlining the process is a key component of the Trump administration’s small business strategy, according to the SBA.
 
The 2020 STEP awards will allow the IEDA to assist small businesses with the information and tools needed to success in export-related activities, such as participating in foreign trade missions and sales trips, obtaining services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, accessing expertise in designing international marketing campaigns and export trade show exhibits, participating in training workshops and more.
 
“The SBA is committed to assisting small businesses to enter and prosper in the global marketplace,” said Loretta Greene, the associate administrator for SBA's Office of International Trade, in a release. “Through SBA’s STEP awards, states provide small businesses with the critical funding they need to thrive internationally while creating jobs and strengthening their communities.”
 
Since the creation of the STEP program 10 years ago, SBA has awarded approximately $157 million in grants to fund export opportunities to increase the footprint of small businesses in countries all over the world. 
Marion Water Dept. relocates administrative office
The Marion Water Department’s administrative staff, previously located at Marion City Hall, have moved to a remodeled space at 3050 Fifth Ave. in Marion.
 
The move to the new location allows for future growth at both City Hall and the Marion Water Department, according to city officials.
 
All city facilities remain closed to walk-in traffic due to the coronavirus pandemic, however staff remain available by phone and email during office hours. The phone number for the Water Department, (319) 743-6310, remains the same. Office hours at the new location will be Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Online payments are accepted at www.cityofmarion.org/billingoptions.
 
A drive-up payment drop box for the Water Department has been installed at the new location. There will no longer be a drop box available at Marion City Hall.
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Short Term Event Planner
 
Oct. 7 
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15 a.m., online. Join for community connections and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9 a.m., online. Join for community connections and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC.
 
Oct. 8 
ICAD Annual Meeting and Campaign Kickoff, by Iowa City Area Development Group, 8 a.m., online. The Johnson County economic development group will recognize pivotal moments from the past year and kick off its 2021 funding campaign. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2Fwo4cg.
 
Preparing for Automation Among Small and Medium Size Manufacturers, by Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research & Service (CIRAS), 10-11 a.m., online. CIRAS experts will discuss the state of automation technology and strategies for automating processes. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3ixJ80C.
 
Elegant Financial Statements for Nonprofits, by CLA, 11 a.m.-noon, online. Learn to design an accounting and reporting system that produces financial information that is complete, informative and concise. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3610v6B.
 
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Ribbon Cutting, by Iowa City Area Business Partnership, 4-5 p.m., 201 E. Ninth St., Suite 100, Coralville. Celebrate the restaurant’s remodeled space and new management. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/361gOQT.
See something we missed?
Send tips, leads, corrections, etc. to news@corridorbusiness.com.
Headlines from KCRG-TV9
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9 

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 356 more COVID-19 cases and seven more deaths in Iowa over the last 24 hours. As of 10:30 a.m. today, the state’s data is showing a total of 92,901 COVID-19 cases and 1,388 COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began. A total of 2,644 tests were reported to have been conducted over the last 24 hours, making the total number of tests conducted 824,048 since the pandemic began. There are currently a total of 389 patients hospitalized with the virus, with 54 having been admitted in the last 24 hours. Of those patients, 99 are in the ICU and 43 are on ventilators.

Police received multiple reports of gunshots in Cedar Rapids on Sunday evening. The first report of gunshots happened at the Gyro Hut located at 1455 Mount Vernon Road SE at around 7:19 p.m. Upon arrival, police found a Chevrolet Monte Carlo with no plates that had been damaged by the gunshots. Officials said the owner of the vehicle initially fled the area but later returned. He is a 27-year-old man from out of state. Police said he was not cooperative and does not want to pursue an investigation. A suspect fled the area in a van heading southbound on 15th Street SE. Police said another shots fired incident occurred at around 9:17 p.m. resulting in three vehicles having windows shot out. It happened in front of 1817 B Ave. NE. Officials did not provide information about suspects in either case, nor did they indicate whether the incidents are related.

These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
Highs this afternoon in the mid to upper 60s with mostly sunny skies. It will be breezy at times from the south. Winds will be between 10-20 mph, with gusts upwards of 35 mph. Overnight, temperatures will drop into the upper 40s. Our warming trend continues this week. Highs in the upper 60s, low 70s through Thursday, and then up into the upper 70s by the end of the week and into the weekend.