TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 2020  |  IN THIS ISSUE
Para1New org launches to promote clean energy access in Iowa 
 
A worker stands near a wind turbine. CREDIT ALLIANT ENERGY 
As Iowa kicks off Clean Energy Week, a new advocacy group called Iowa Business for Clean Energy (IBCE) is taking flight as well, intended to enable Iowa companies to access the cleanest energy at competitive prices.
 
IBCE is a network of individuals representing private businesses across the state, including energy users, producers, suppliers and energy efficiency professionals from fields including wind, solar and biofuels. Their goal is to "foster a robust discussion and learning opportunity to help lead a path to a clean, low-cost energy future," according to a release.
 
"The launch of an organization that gives a voice to the Iowa business community on energy issues is incredibly exciting," said Delia Moon-Meier, senior vice president at the Iowa 80 Group, which operates the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott. "As companies like ours look to better serve our customers through renewable energy and a more sustainable operation, it's important that we have a seat at the table for energy discussions that impact us." 
 
The group plans to host meetings and events throughout the state to raise awareness about how improved energy policies - including greater clean energy adoption and increased energy efficiency - can provide a more competitive energy environment in Iowa.
 
For more information, click here. 
IIn the CBJ: CHOMP feasts as delivery culture grows  

PHOTO JAMES YEAR/THE DAILY IOWAN 
Iowa restaurants are struggling to stay alive, with at least 1,000 expected to shut down permanently before the COVID-19 pandemic enters the history books, according to the Iowa Restaurant Association. But in something of a cruel irony, the companies that deliver their food to hungry homebound customers are reporting record growth as many continue to shy away from on-premises dining.
 
"We've seen an explosive increase in demand and our growth is up considerably," said Adam Weeks, co-founder and managing member of locally owned and operated CHOMP Delivery, which serves the Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and Cedar Rapids areas - adding the business boost, which comes as partnering restaurants languish, has been "bittersweet."
 
"A lot of businesses are suffering as our business is exploding," he said. "On the other hand, it has felt good to bring some revenue to businesses that really need it ... especially before the [Paycheck Protection Plan] kicked in."
 
CHOMP's super-charged growth began in March almost as soon as restaurants were ordered to close except for takeout and delivery as part of an emergency order issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Though restaurants have since been allowed to reopen at reduced capacities, demand for delivery has remained brisk.
 
Mr. Weeks said establishments that were previously uninterested in using home delivery services for fear it might not match the quality of in-person dining, including Iowa Chop House and Saint Burch Tavern, have signed on. Meanwhile, the company has made new inroads into the Cedar Rapids market, which it entered late last year.

Read the full, members-only story in this week's print and digital editions of the CBJ.
Para3Mediacom offers glimpse of 10G in new Ames smart home
 
Mediacom Communications is giving Ames residents a first look at the connected home of the future with the launch of the Mediacom 10G Smart Home, which marks the first U.S. field trial of the cable industry's new 10G platform.
 
Considered the next leap forward for broadband internet, 10G is a powerful technology that promises to ramp up the 1 gigabit offerings available from internet providers today, to speeds of 10 gigabits per second and beyond. That speed promises to enable the creation of a new generation of connected home devices and solutions, from advanced streaming and storage systems to high-tech security.
 
"Mediacom worked with CommScope and other leading tech companies to move 10G from a laboratory concept to a real world consumer experience," said Mediacom CTO JR Walden in a release. "Similar to our rapid deployment of 1-Gig across our national network in 2017, the beauty of 10G is that it's extremely scalable within our existing network infrastructure. This means the compelling demos we showcased today in Ames will be part of the near future for Mediacom customers."
 
In order to simulate the types of experiences the 10G platform will make possible, Mediacom installed more than 70 internet-enabled devices within the home. Many of these were bandwidth intensive applications. Tours through the home were recently conducted in partnership with CableLabs and NCTA - the Internet & Television Association.
 
"Some of these emerging technologies were once thought of as science fiction, but now they're on the cusp of reality," said CableLabs CEO Phil McKinney. "What Mediacom was able to do with this demonstration was give consumers a glimpse of the unbounded innovation the 10G platform will drive in the years ahead."  
  
Learn more about Mediacom's deployment and 10G data here.
Para4Raytheon Technologies to cut more than 15K positions
           
Collins Aerospace parent Raytheon Technologies will eliminate more than 15,000 positions across its commercial aerospace and administrative operations this year - nearly double the previous estimate given by the company as it navigates a steep drop in commercial aerospace demand.
 
CEO Greg Hayes, speaking last week at a virtual Morgan Stanley conference, said the cuts will amount to a roughly 20% reduction in sales, general and administrative (SGA) costs at engine maker Pratt & Whitney, and 12% at Collins Aerospace.
 
Mr. Hayes noted that Collins remains on track to achieve $600 million in gross cost synergies following the merger of Rockwell Collins and UTC Aerospace in 2018, and spokeswoman Pam Tvrdy-Cleary noted that many cuts "have already been implemented or are underway."
 
Overall, Raytheon is planning about $2 billion in cost reductions and $4 billion in "cash conservation actions" this year, Mr. Hayes noted.
 
Collins Aerospace filed a WARN notice with Iowa Workforce Development in August indicating 72 employees will be laid off Sept. 4. No further actions have been reported.
 
Mr. Hayes emphasized that the company is looking for ways to reduce "structural costs" and drive "significant revenue synergies by combining technologies across businesses" - a major selling point for the recently completed merger of UTC and Raytheon to create Raytheon Technologies.
 
Collins Aerospace is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, but employs about 10,000 in Iowa, most of them in Cedar Rapids. Other Iowa locations include Bellevue, Coralville, Decorah and Manchester.
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NAMESYMPRICECHG%CHG
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Alliant EnergyLNT50.010.180.36%
Casey's General StoresCASY172.831.670.98%
Danaher Corp.DHR207.241.430.69%
Deere & CompanyDE217.583.371.57%
Dow Jones^DJI27,288.18140.480.52%
General MillsGIS57.990.120.21%
GoDaddyGDDY74.500.991.35%
Great Western BankGWB12.40-0.35-2.75%
Heartland ExpressHTLD18.47-0.19-1.02%
Marsh & McLennanMMC116.26-0.01-0.01%
MidWestOneMOFG17.33-0.30-1.70%
PearsonPSO6.440.233.70%
PepsicoPEP132.150.910.69%
Principal FinancialPFG38.82-0.18-0.46%
QCR HoldingsQCRH26.34-0.69-2.55%
Raytheon TechnologiesRTX59.79-0.23-0.38%
S&P 500^GSPC3,315.5734.511.05%
Procter & GamblePG137.961.250.91%
United Fire GroupUFCS20.43-0.04-0.20%
U.S. BankUSB35.59-0.57-1.58%
Wells FargoWFC23.66-0.38-1.60%
West BankWTBA16.210.110.68%
WhirlpoolWHR179.641.891.06%
Short-Term Event Planner
      
Sept. 23
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:30 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.
 
Workforce Leaders Awards, by Corridor Business Journal, 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., online. The Workforce Leaders Awards recognize employees and companies who excel in their industry and in leveraging workforce best practices. Attendees will receive the All-Stars Magazine, highlighting the young leaders' achievements, and Workforce Leaders publication, detailing the companies' winning strategies. Cost: $20. Registration ends Sept. 20.  For more information or to register, visit  corridorbusiness.com/events/ or contact Ashley Moore at ashley@corridorbusiness.com .
 
Sept. 24
Remote Leaders' Online Roundtable, by Executive Coach Jennifer Zach, 10-10:30 a.m., online. Touch base with other leaders managing remote teams, exchange resources and share best practices. Free. To join, visit bit.ly/3j5gXqm.
 
Building a Business Startup Canvas, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 11 a.m.-noon, online. Learn how to use a Business Model Canvas that will organize your business components into a graphic format. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/35Li9uW.
 
New Member Speed Networking,
by Iowa City Area Business Partnership, 4-5:30 p.m., online. New members are invited to learn all the different ways to get involved. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3kfHVM7.  
Headlines from KCRG-TV9  
 
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Law enforcement officials announced the arrest of four individuals in connection to the death and desecration of the body of a Grinnell man on Sept. 16. Steven Vogel, 31, of Grinnell was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. Investigators also arrested Julia Cox, 55, Roy Lee Garner, 57, and Cody Johnson, 29, all of Grinnell, and charged them with abuse of a corpse, destruction of evidence, and accessory after the fact. On Wednesday, Michael Williams, 44, was found dead outside of Kellogg in Jasper County after authorities were sent to the scene of a fire in a ditch in the 8100 block of North 67th Avenue East. After extinguishing the fire, investigators located Williams' body. Law enforcement on the scene said the body was wrapped in cloth and plastic, and had signs of being bound using duct tape and rope. Authorities believe that Williams was killed on Sept. 12 which was the last known contact anybody had with him. Read the full story here.

Waterloo's face mask mandate will now stay in effect for another six weeks, according to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. The original mandate would have expired at the end of the month. Monday night, city council voted 4-2 in favor of extending it. The city's current mask mandate requires people to wear masks inside public buildings when social distancing isn't possible. This also applies to private or public transportation services. The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors is also considering passing a mask mandate that would be similar to Waterloo's mandate. The county health board approved the resolution earlier this month. The county resolution would include enforcement with misdemeanor-level fines for violators.
  
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9 
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
 
Highs this afternoon will be in the low 80s with mostly sunny skies. A bit of haze is still possible today from the wildfire smoke, but shouldn't have much of an impact on sky cover like the last couple of days. That upper-level wildfire smoke pushes out tomorrow. Dry and sunny conditions continue tomorrow and for the most part on Thursday. A few showers and storms could be possible throughout the day, but chances look slim and not everyone will see rain.