TUESDAY, OCT. 2, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE  
 
In a development that clears the way for the long-awaited merger of two major aircraft equipment suppliers, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Monday that it will require United Technologies Corp. (UTC) to divest Rockwell Collins' pneumatic ice protection and actuator businesses before approving the $30 billion tie-up.   
 
"Today's remedy ensures that customers continue to benefit from competition in the supply of these two aircraft components that are critical to safety," Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim, of the DOJ's Antitrust Division, said in a statement. "The remedy allows the divestiture buyers to compete vigorously to provide high quality systems and service to customers."

Only one other company makes a pneumatic deicing system, while Connecticut-based UTC and Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell are each other's biggest competitor in the market for actuators, which help aircraft maintain the proper altitude.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, UTC must divest Rockwell Collins's deicing systems business to an acquirer approved by U.S. regulators, and the actuator business to Safran, an established aerospace supplier, or an approved alternate.

UTC Chairman and CEO Gregory Hayes recently told analysts at a conference that the deal with Safran is progressing, but has " taken a little bit longer than I would've liked," the CBJ previously reported.

The DOJ's Antitrust Division, the European Commission and the Competition Bureau of Canada cooperated closely throughout the course of their respective investigations. Chinese regulators are expected to sign off on the merger once the DOJ is satisfied the two lines have been sold off.

In a statement, UTC said it will comply with the DOJ's request.

"The process for closing on Rockwell Collins is moving forward with the recent U.S. Department of Justice approval being the latest milestone," UTC said in a comment. "Once we have received all of the necessary approvals, we will announce the final closing of this transaction."
 
Corridor consulting and accounting firm BerganKDV will expand its Midwest footprint in a merger with HSMC Orizon, the company announced this week. 

The merger will take the BerganKDV brand into Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City, and expand the firm's abilities with six new partners and 45 employees, said CEO Dave Hinnenkamp. 
 
"Integrating HSMC Orizon into the fold enhances the services we offer clients and gives us the opportunity to better serve clients throughout the Midwest. We're laser focused on empowering our staff while creating exceptional experiences for our clients, and the merger solidifies that commitment to those we serve," he said.
 
The deal marks the second of the year for BerganKDV, which acquired Minneapolis-based Alliance Management in May, and is expected to close Nov. 1. The merger will bring the firm's headcount to nearly 400 employees across the Midwest. 
The state's thriving economy is cause for optimism, according to the Iowa Business Council's latest quarterly economic outlook survey.  
 
Three quarters of the IBC members, representing 23 of the state's largest employers, anticipate higher sales in the next six months, while half expect to add to their workforce and 60 percent project an increase in capital spending.  
 
The confident outlook reflects the strength of the current economy and points to the continued economic optimism from the business community, the IBC noted in a news release.

When it comes to challenges, three quarters of the IBC businesses cite attracting, developing and retaining a quality workforce as their primary business struggle. That finding aligns with feedback IBC members received from medium and small business owners and community members during its two Vision to Vitality forums held during third quarter.  
 
More than half of IBC members reported the rising cost of product and service inputs, which includes energy, raw material and sourcing, as another major challenge for their organizations.  
 
The uppercase and lowercase "Bs" in the new logo symbolizes the real-life match between "Bigs" and "Littles." CREDIT BBBS 
Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies nationwide unveiled a new look and brand repositioning on Monday, along with a new tagline, "Together, we are defenders of potential."  
The statement "emphasizes how everyone in the community can help defend the potential inherent in youth and help them achieve their biggest possible futures," according to the organization. The changes are expected help meet the goal of recruiting more diverse volunteers.

"The need for young people to have a role model is more urgent than ever," President and CEO Linda Henecke, said in a statement. "To attract more volunteers of all generations, we need to modernize and impact the community in order to support the essential work of matching youth with mentors."

The lines in the new logo form a little "b," while the green lines connect to create a capital "B," symbolizing the real-life match and representing "the ongoing, powerful relationships between the agency and its participants." The electric green color signals change.

In the coming year, Big Brothers Big Sisters will transition to a new, nationwide technology system, participate in new training, and use the new positioning to refocus efforts on recruiting local volunteers.

A new initiative from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, called "Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here," aims to spotlight and connect locally owned businesses, nonprofits and business-building resources that drive the region's economy.
 
Inspiring stories of local business success and the importance of buying local will be showcased via the Economic Alliance's website, social media platforms and throughout public media through the remainder of the year.  

"Infusing more dollars locally strengthens our economy and empowers local businesses to thrive here," said Charity Tyler, chair of the Economic Alliance's Business Support Innovation Council, in a statement. "Buy Here, Give Here, Grow Here seeks to show consumers how purchasing from local goods and service providers benefits the greater community. Dollars spent locally circulate in our community, creating a greater place to live and work." 

Buy Here will feature 12 local businesses that represent what makes the local economy unique and adds value for local consumers. Economic Alliance members were invited to apply to be a featured Buy Here business and were selected by a committee comprised of members from the Business Support Innovation Council.  
 
Give Here highlights local nonprofits that make up an important part of the business community and have a hand in solving one of the most pressing issues in the region: workforce availability. Residents are asked to consider supporting nonprofits that are developing and upskilling today and tomorrow's workforce, or that serve as a community resource to support the workforce.  
 
Grow Here focuses on area business owners and founders who are driven by hard work and creative initiative. Their stories of success and why they chose to grow their business here will be featured throughout the initiative.
 
Learn more at the Economic Alliance website.  
 
Oct. 3
1 Million Cups, by 1MC, 9-10 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids and MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, startup pitches and free coffee. The October theme for Cedar Rapids' meeting is corporate social responsibility. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
Oct. 3-4
Education Technology and Computational Psychometrics Symposium 2018, by ACTNext, The Graduate Hotel & MERGE, 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Engage with leading experts across diverse fields, all working to solve the challenges at the intersection of education research and technological innovation. Presenters will discuss topics ranging from multimodal analytics and alternative assessment modalities to the impact education technology has in the classroom. Tickets: $0-$200. For more information, visit etcps.actnext.info.
 
Oct. 4
Speed Networking, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 7:45-9 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids.Meet fellow Economic Alliance members in a quick-paced and casual environment. Free, although space is limited by the number of attendees, and also by industry type. Register at bit.ly/2N89dae.
 
Wake Up Marion: Farmers State Bank, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 8-9 a.m., 1240 Eighth Ave., Marion. Wake Up Marion is held the first Thursday of each month at a different member location. Enjoy complimentary coffee and get to know the host business. Free. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2MnCV6J.
 
CIRAS Veterans Business Roundtable, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Alliant Energy and VGM, 8-9 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Veteran business owners are invited for a light breakfast and facilitated discussion on business topics that are relevant to all industries. Free. Contact Julie Fagle at [email protected] with questions.
 
Culture Change to Improve the Workplace, by Kirkwood Community College, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center, 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha. This interactive class will touch on improving communications, supporting co-workers, and evaluating the environment to ensure the workplace works for everyone. Cost $25. For more information, visit bit.ly/2Qs6ur5.
 
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
Heavy rain once again led to rises on rivers in Eastern Iowa. Two to six inches of rain fell around the Highway 20 corridor and drained into the river systems. Black Hawk Creek at Hudson is now forecast to crest at 16.3 feet tonight. The Wapsi River at Anamosa is now forecast to crest in Moderate Flood stage at 18.6 feet. The Cedar River at Cedar Falls is forecast to crest at 89.5 feet, and is still in minor flood stage. The waters on the Turkey and Maquoketa rivers are receding, but rises are still happening on parts of the Wapsipinicon and Cedar rivers.

Library, city and project leaders broke ground on the Hiawatha Public Library's multi-million dollar expansion project on Monday. The current 8,500-square-foot building will see a $4.1 million dollar expansion, adding more than 13,000 square feet to the library's lot. The renovation will add more computer stations and space for activities for children. Library officials say they surpassed their goal by raising $2.04 million dollars. In an effort to make the library more community-based, a room visitors can use for events will be included in the extension, as well as an emergency area.

T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

There will be multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms over the next week or so. Heavy rain will be a concern, which could lead to flooding and rises on area rivers. Today will be dry with an east-northeast breeze in Eastern Iowa. Clouds will remain in place and temperatures will be in the low 60s. A warm front will lift north tonight into Wednesday and bring in warmer air. Winds will be gusting out of the south and send temperatures into the upper 70s to low 80s. Then a cold front will move through Wednesday night and will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms. This will be a fairly quick moving system, but some storms could be strong. The rain will end early Thursday and temperatures will cool down into the 60s.