TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020  |  IN THIS ISSUE
Para1Finkenauer introduces bill to expand biofuels' reach 
 
A map showing the more than 2,100 retail locations selling E15 fuel across the nation. CREDIT GROWTH ENERGY 
Iowa's First District Representative Abby Finkenauer today introduced a new bill that would provide $500 million over five years to retailers installing and converting their fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.
 
The bill, named the Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020, aims to accelerate the deployment of new fueling innovations, expand the geographic area where ethanol and biodiesel is sold, and support biofuel and sustainable aviation fuel markets, according to a release from Ms. Finkenauer's office. It is co-sponsored by Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), Don Bacon (R-Nebraksa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kansas).
 
"The time is now to further diversify our fuel supply and move more biofuels into the market," Ms. Finkenauer said in the release. "Biofuels offer a proven path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonizing the transportation sector, driving economic growth and creating jobs. ... Cleaner fuels are good for our economy and our environment, and we're going to keep fighting for them."
 
In addition to supporting the distribution of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends at fueling stations, the program could also be used to enhance pipelines and terminals to blend and carry ethanol and biodiesel. Funding from the Clean Fuels grant program could be used to incentivize the deployment of ethanol and biodiesel fueling infrastructure and convert existing infrastructure to deliver ethanol blends greater than 10% and biodiesel blends greater than 20%.
 
According to Growth Energy, a trade group representing U.S. ethanol producers, E15 - unleaded gasoline mixed with 15% ethanol - is now offered at more than 190 terminal locations and sold in 2,100 locations as far west as Colorado. It has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in cars 2001 and newer, covering more than 90% of the vehicles on the road today, the group adds.
 
The bill was cheered by groups representing Iowa farmers and biofuel producers, who are facing the dual threat of a massive drop in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a presidential administration that routinely seesaws in its support of biofuels. ADM last week announced it will idle ethanol production at its corn dry mill facilities in both Cedar Rapids and Columbus, Nebraska, while POET, one of the nation's largest ethanol producers, recently announced it would idle production at three plants and postpone the opening of a fourth, Radio Iowa reported.
 
"We commend Rep. Finkenauer for her leadership in the effort to accelerate consumer access to biofuels like biodiesel," said Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Soybean Association's director of market development, in a statement. "We support incentivizing terminals and taking other steps to help increase the market penetration of this greenhouse gas-reducing fuel. This will also drive economic growth - an urgent need in America."
Para3South Slope announces fiber network build in Solon
North Liberty-based South Slope Cooperative Communications has announced it will begin construction of a fiber optic network in Solon this July.
 
Fiber optic technology, which uses light instead of electricity to carry digital data signals, will enable South Slope customers to access ultra-fast internet with speeds up to 1 Gigabit, which is 50 times faster than the average residential internet connection. It will also allow area businesses to leverage technologies such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP), point-of-sale transactions and high-speed file transfers, according to the company.
 
"Fiber offers important advantages," South Slope CEO Chuck Deisbeck said in a release. "At the top of the list is fiber's ability to provide virtually unlimited bandwidth capacity and internet speed, enabling our customers to have a better experience with data-intensive applications such as streaming, online gaming, cloud storage and working from home."
 
The entire project is projected to be complete by early 2021. Solon residents and business owners within city limits can sign up at southslopefiber.com.
CCBJ to host new Innovation Watch webinar
 
The Corridor Business Journal will host a new event, Innovation Watch, which will feature tech, STEM and innovation discussions with Iowa educators, business leaders, scientists and visionaries.
 
Attendees will learn about up-and-coming discoveries made by companies in the Corridor and how innovation in Iowa is helping to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers include:
 
A Respiratory AI Company and a Respiratory Pandemic
Susan Wood, president and CEO of VIDA Diagnostics Inc., will highlight the company's LungPrint, AI and imaging solution, including the opportunity for LungPrint to help physicians manage patients through the pandemic and continued monitoring of patients inflicted with COVID-19.
 
Robotic Process Automation
RSM US LLP Principal, Technology and Digital Management Consultant Mike Courtney will provide an overview of the basics of Robotic Process Automation and the keys to success for implementation. Mr. Courtney has been focused on the intelligent automation and cognitive solutions area for over four years and delivered innovative solutions to numerous clients.
 
Integrated DNA Technologies' Important Role in the Fight Against COVID-19
Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) was the first company in the nation to have its primer and probe kits approved by the CDC for use as a key component of the CDC EUA testing protocol for the diagnosis and detection of COVID-19. Trey Martin, president of IDT, will discuss how the company shifted its operations to produce primer and probe kits sufficient to enable approximately 30 million tests to be conducted in the United States.
 
Innovation in Agriculture
New technologies are viewed skeptically and then become standard procedure, seemingly overnight. Rantizo CEO Michael Ott will discuss innovation in agriculture and how it is adopted over time. Drone spraying is one innovation that upends many existing businesses, causing hesitancy from some and enthusiasm from others.
 
The format of this event has changed to a live webinar for the safety of speakers, staff and attendees in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be live streamed from 10:30 a.m.-noon May 12 as a Zoom webinar.
 
Registration is free. The webinar will be recorded and shared in its entirety with registrants who cannot watch live. For more information or to register, visit corridorbusiness.com/innovation-watch/ or email CBJ Event Manager Ashley Moore at [email protected].
Para4UI, Wiley announce new partnership to expand online education

The University of Iowa and Wiley Education Services, a division of global education publisher Wiley, today announced a new two-year partnership aimed at strengthening the university's online programs.
As part of the two-year partnership, Wiley will support the continued development of two online programs in the UI's College of Education, as well as provide a comprehensive suite of market research, marketing and enrollment services to attract and retain online learners.
 
Beginning in 2020, Wiley will provide support for the UI's College of Education's online classes in its masters programs in teaching, educational leadership and cultural competency, and STEM education.
 
"In today's rapidly-changing education landscape, support for current and future educators is more important than ever," said Todd Zipper, president of Wiley Education Services, in a statement. "Through our partnership with the University of Iowa, we will deliver our customized approach to online learning and help support the success of future students."
 
The UI's College of Education is the top ranked educational college in the state, serving more than 600 undergraduate students and 580 graduate students each year, according to the college's website. It was ranked No. 15 in Best Online Master's in Education Programs, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report "Best Online Education Programs" ranking.
Para2In the CBJ: Startup helps real estate investors navigate COVID-19
Stratafolio's performance dashboard provides updated portfolio information on key indicators including total asset value, debt, equity and the loan-to-value ratio. CREDIT STRATAFOLIO
 
The COVID-19 crisis is strengthening the business case for Stratafolio, a Cedar Rapids startup that makes it easy to track the financial performance and management of far-flung real estate investments.
 
Founded in 2017 by Jeri Frank and Uriel Barillas, Stratafolio is a real estate management and analytics platform that consolidates the financial data from far-flung real estate investments into one central dashboard, helping users quickly see when, where and why investments are making (or losing) money.
 
Stratafolio's clients are mainly real estate investment and management companies, which are now leaking money because tenants are closed due to COVID-19, and aren't making lease payments.
 
"Almost 100% of our customers are talking to their banks [because of COVID-19 losses]," Ms. Frank said. "They are adjusting their payments, going to interest-only or refinancing their loans to take advantage of lower interest rates."
 
Real estate investors typically track the financial performance of their properties via individual spreadsheets in QuickBooks, the popular accounting software platform, Mr. Barillas said. Then, they have to run a report on each one.
 
Stratafolio merges the data into one place and provides a dashboard that makes it simple to understand, along with other tools and reminders for loan payment and lease rate "bump" dates.
 
Ms. Frank and Mr. Barillas see the reverberations of the COVID-19 crisis driving demand for Stratafolio's product, because real estate investors need instant insight. It allows them to generate reports their lenders need to see in minutes, rather than hours.
 
Read the full members-only story in this week's print or digital editions of the CBJ.
aroundthewebFrom around the web: 
Know it first

Forward the FREE, weekly CBJ Innovation Watch 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].
stockCorridor Stocks

NAME
SYM PRICE CHG %CHG
AEGON AEG 2.55 0.11 4.51%
Alliant Energy LNT 50.65 0.31 0.62%
Casey's General Stores CASY 152.81 -2.99 -1.92%
Deere & Company DE 141.59 1.89 1.35%
Dow Jones ^DJI 24,101.55 -32.23 -0.13%
General Mills GIS 60.98 1.00 1.67%
GoDaddy GDDY 66.05 -1.44 -2.13%
Great Western Bank GWB 19.82 0.63 3.28%
Heartland Express HTLD 20.37 -0.06 -0.32%
KemPharm KMPH 0.2798 -0.0061 -2.13%
Marsh & McLennan MMC 93.31 -1.39 -1.47%
MidWestOne MOFG 20.50 0.66 3.33%
Pearson PSO 5.95 0.26 4.48%
Pepsico PEP 136.32 1.86 1.38%
Principal Financial PFG 33.61 1.92 6.06%
QCR Holdings QCRH 29.97 1.47 5.16%
Raytheon Technologies RTX 65.44 0.37 0.57%
S&P 500 ^GSPC 2,863.39 -15.09 -0.52%
Procter & Gamble PG 116.89 -0.56 -0.48%
United Fire Group UFCS 29.66 0.25 0.85%
U.S. Bank USB 36.66 0.78 2.17%
Wells Fargo WFC 28.87 0.46 1.62%
West Bank WTBA 18.45 0.50 2.81%
Whirlpool WHR 113.87 4.69 4.30%
Short-Term Event Planner
       
April 29
ICR NEXT > Economic Development , by ICR Iowa, 9:30 a.m, online. Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will join ICR Iowa Board Chair Lydia Brown to discuss economic development in the state and the road to recovery. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3bDiq3q.

Virtual Work-From-Home Training and Development, by Executive Coach Jennifer Zach, 10:30-11 a.m., online. Discuss working from home distractions, boundaries and your environment. Free. To register, visit  https://tinyurl.com/qtztlkf .
 
The Impact of the CARES Act on Employee Benefit Plans, by CLA, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn about retirement plan changes, student loan provisions and health plan provisions. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2KAbrwh.

Leading in Times of Turmoil , by Technology Association of Iowa, 1-2 p.m., online. Dave Tucker, senior advisor for Next Level Ventures and Workiva, will discuss his approach to career transitions and what to keep in mind when things go wrong. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3cLnAdL.
 
State of the Community: Economy , by Iowa City Area Business Partnership, Iowa City Downtown District, Think Iowa City and ICAD Group, 2 p.m., online. Hear from local and state economic development leaders to learn more about the current state of our economy and thoughts on what recovery might entail. Recording will be available to those unable to watch live. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3aHmRsF.
 
Coronavirus Updates Webcast , by RSM US LLP, 3 p.m., online. Learn more about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how to mitigate your company's risk. Free. To register, visit rsm.us/39kOfvA.
 
Keeping Business Strong in Our Heartland, by ActionCOACH Heartland, 4 p.m., online. Learn how to seize new opportunities, adapt your business model, get clarity on critical decisions, customize your marketing and grow your customer base. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2xgDaip. 
 
April 30
ICR Agile Conference, by NewBoCo and Eastern Iowa Agile, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This one-day virtual event is designed to bring together members of the agile community and those interested in embracing the agile mindset. Conference includes 16 speakers and multiple breakout sessions.  Attendees will be sent information to participate via their computer. Cost: $100. To register, visit bit.ly/3ae8Lzf.

MEDCO Engagement Lounge, by Marion Economic Development Corp., 11:30 a.m., online. Get answers and find resources for your business-related questions and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Free. To join the Zoom meeting, visit bit.ly/2XQIkfT. 

Corridor Rising 2.0 Business Support Series, by Corridor Business Journal, noon-1 p.m., online. Businesses are facing new and sudden financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar will examine the HR and legal issues surrounding unemployment and furloughs, especially in the light of the Paycheck Protection Program. Watch live on Facebook or participate on Zoom. Free. To register, visit corridorbusiness.com/events. 

Six Steps to a Better Business, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, noon-1 p.m., online. Learn six steps to building a more profitable business. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/34VALWL.
 
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#).
Headlines from KCRG-TV9  
 
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
The Iowa Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday a set of requirements for restaurants choosing to open for dine-in service on May 1. First, those restaurants need to be in one of the 77 counties that Gov. Reynolds loosened restrictions on. The rest of the mandatory requirements include: Limiting capacity to 50%; no more than six people at table; tables must be spaced six feet apart; and no self-service, including drinks, buffets and salad bars. Additionally, the state has provided a list of guidelines for restaurants to follow that you can view here.

A Guatamalan man was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the U.S. after being deported. Avelino Zacarias-Bail, 27, who was illegally residing in Waterloo, received the prison term after pleading guilty to one count of illegal reentry into the United States. Zacarias-Bail admitted, at the guilty plea, to having previously been deported in December 2015, and illegally re-entering the U.S. Immigration agents discovered that his presence in the country was illegal following his arrest on state criminal charges in Black Hawk County. Zacarias-Bail was convicted in December 2019 of child endangerment and domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.
  
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9 
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
 
Showers and storms are likely this afternoon through the early evening. Some of those storms could be strong to severe. If they are severe, there is a threat of hail, wind, and a few brief tornadoes. The storms ought to be over by 6 p.m. Otherwise, we'll have highs either side of 70 with a south breeze. Tonight and Wednesday both have a chance of showers along with a stiff north to northwest wind. It'll be blowing at 20-30 mph Wednesday, gusting up to 50 mph. That'll make for a chilly day with highs in the 50s. The weather is looking up to end the week with more sunshine and highs returning to the 60s and 70s.