MONDAY, NOV. 18, 2019 | IN THIS ISSUE

• BioSpringer proposes $29M expansion in CR
• 5224GOOD announces focus for 2020 giving
• New rule could expand HUBZones
• U.S. 30 Mount Vernon-Lisbon Bypass to open Friday
• Friends of the Animal Center Foundation seeks director
Yeast extract maker proposes $29M expansion in Cedar Rapids
BioSpringer North America is proposing a $29-million expansion of its production facility in Cedar Rapids, that is expected to result in the creation of at least five new jobs.

BioSpringer produces yeast extract, a food ingredient which enhances flavor. Its facility at 940 60th Ave. SW is part of a complex where France-based parent company LeSaffre produces yeast.

The expansion project is proposed to add 20,000 square feet of space to the existing facility at a cost of $11.2 million. The remainder of the project cost is $17.9 million for machinery and equipment.

The Cedar Rapids City Council will consider a 10-year, declining scale tax exemption to support the project at its meeting Tuesday at 4 p.m. The city's community development staff recommends the incentive to serve as local match for the company's application to receive assistance from the Iowa Economic Development Authority-administered High Quality Jobs program.

Five jobs to be created would pay at least $22.27 per hour, sufficient to qualify the project for the High Quality Jobs program, according to a memo to city council members. The city estimates the project will generate $3.1 million in new taxes over the 10-year period, of which $1.8 million would be paid and $1.3 million would be exempted.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is working with BioSpringer to gain project support. An Urban Revitalization Area already designated for LeSaffre's BioSpringer and Red Star Yeast properties will be the conduit for collecting and returning the exempted portion property taxes for the incentive if approval is granted.

LeSaffre last year completed an expansion at the 60th Avenue complex for its Saf-Pro line of yeast products to serve a growing demand in the artisanal baked goods category.
5224Good plans 2020 focus on healthier environment
"Supporting Local Action for a Healthier Environment: Appreciate, Conserve, Restore" has been announced as next year’s focus area for 5224Good, a local philanthropic organization that provides funding through grants for non-profits in Johnson County.

Members of the organization will spend the next months learning about local environmental needs, issues, ideas and innovations, prior to soliciting and funding grants next fall.

The group focuses on one issue each year. 5224Good operates under the auspices of the Community Foundation of Johnson County, and provides social and networking opportunities each year for members to “have fun while doing good,” according to Mary Westbrook, one of the organization’s founders.

The theme of last year’s 5224Good funding effort was “Enriching Lives Through Culture and the Arts: Creation, Access, Appreciation.” The organization gave nearly $40,000 in grants to the following community groups:

• Any Given Child - Iowa City Community School District Foundation
• Dynamic Dance - Combined Efforts
• Jones Academy of Performing Arts
• Publishing Young Writers - UI Foundation
• Senior Living Communities Program - UI Stanley Museum of Art
• Free Shakespeare in the Park - Riverside Theatre

Past areas of focus for the group have included food insecurity, affordable housing, welcoming immigrants, and supporting women and girls. Look for 5224GOOD on Facebook.
SBA issues final rule for governors to petition for HUBZones
The U.S. Small Business Administration today issued a direct final rule that will allow governors to petition the SBA’s administrator to designate HUBZone status to certain covered areas. 

A covered area is an area in a state that is located outside of an urbanized area, as determined by the Census Bureau, with a population of not more than 50,000, and for which the average unemployment rate is at least 120 percent of the average unemployment rate. The  rule  is published in the Federal Register and effective Jan. 1, 2020, unless significant adverse comment is received by Dec. 15, 2019.
 
“This expansion of HUBZone areas will provide a valuable resource to small businesses in underserved communities to foster economic development and job creation – creating a pathway to the middle class for the residents of distressed areas,” Acting  SBA Administrator Chris  Pilkerton said in a news release. “We anticipate that governors may petition to include Opportunity Zones that do not otherwise qualify as HUBZones. 
A governor may submit one petition per year for a covered area or areas. In reviewing a request for designation included in the petition, the administrator may consider:

  • The potential for job creation and investment in the covered area
  • The demonstrated interest of small businesses in the covered area to be designated as a governor-designated covered area
  • How state and local government officials have incorporated the covered area into an economic development strategy
  • If the covered area was a HUBZone before becoming the subject of the petition, the impact on the covered area if the Administrator did not approve the petition

For information about the HUBZone program, visit  sba.gov/hubzone . For more information on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds, see  irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones-frequently-asked-questions .

IMAGE: Acting SBA Administrator Chris Pilkerton. CREDIT SBA
Highway 30 Mount Vernon-Lisbon Bypass to open Friday
The U.S. 30 bypass of Mount Vernon-Lisbon from west of Wilcox Road in Linn County to Charles Avenue in Cedar County will be open to traffic late Friday afternoon weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Davenport construction office.

Drivers should still be aware of temporary lane closures as additional work is done during the 2020 construction season.

As the CBJ reported last week, the first leg of the bypass from Wilcox Road to Highway 1 has already opened. Traffic on Highway 30 between Wilcox Road and Highway 1 is temporarily detoured onto the bypass.

Manatt’s, Inc. of Brooklyn was the main contractor for the $28.8 million construction project.

The Iowa DOT reminded motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.
Friends of the Animal Center Foundation begins director search
Friends of the Animal Center Foundation (FACF) announced today that Christina Kimerle has officially resigned from her nearly five-year post as executive director of the Iowa City-based nonprofit. 
 
In her statement, Ms. Kimerle said she has been presented with a new opportunity and wishes to pursue it. She added that her years at FACF have been filled with wonderful people and animals, and she is happy to have seen the organization grow. 
 
The FACF Board of Directors is currently accepting cover letters and resumes to fill the position once she has departed on Dec. 10.   
 
In a news release, the board of directors thanked Ms. Kimerle for many contributions over the past five years in bettering the welfare of animals in the community and encouraged others to congratulate her on her success at FACF and her new professional endeavors.  
 
For further details about the position, visit facf.org.
Short Term Event Planner
Nov. 18
Stellar Women Achieving Greatness (SWAG) , by U.S. Small Business Administration, 4-6 p.m., SBA Branch Office, 2750 First Ave. NE, Suite 350, Cedar Rapids. SWAG offers women who are in business, or who are thinking about starting a business, the opportunity to meet, connect with and provide mutual support to each other. Free. For more information, contact Jo Eckert at (319) 362-6535 or  [email protected] .

Nov. 19
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day , by Iowa City Area Development Group, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Enjoy free coworking for women from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., followed by a Women's Entrepreneurship Day Happy Hour event from 5-6:30 p.m. Free. For more information, visit  bit.ly/2WQPTAt .

Iowa City Roundtable , by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Mosley’s, 525 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Members are invited to network and keep up to date with chamber and community events. Free. For information, call (319) 337-9637.

Nov. 20
1 Million Cups , by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit  facebook.com/1MCICR .

1 Million Cups , by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit  facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/ .

Leading Edge Workshop , by Clickstop, 9-11 a.m., Clickstop, 202 Blue Creek Drive, Urbana. During this workshop, “Leading Different Personalities: Explore How Your Team Works Best,” learn how each individual employee can drive value for your company. Cost: $90. To register, visit  bit.ly/2OQ7Ayr .

Marion YMCA Groundbreaking , by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Marion YMCA site, 3740 Irish Drive. Renderings will be available for viewing and a short program will begin at 11:45 a.m. Free. For more information, visit  bit.ly/2pM1ncA .

Walgreens Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting , by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 4-5 p.m., 1029 S. Riverside Drive, Suite 100, Iowa City. Free. For more information, visit  bit.ly/2BVo4NP .

Investing on Tap , by Hills Bank, 4:30-6 p.m., White Star Ale House, 305 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Learn about retirement planning from experts at Hills Bank. Free. To register, visit  bit.ly/2Pfbp0a .
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
Because of a budget deficit for the 2019 and 2020 school years, the Marion Independent School District will begin to charge for full day preschool programs in the district.
"It was hard for the administration; it's hard for our preschool teachers," superintendent for the district Janelle Brouwer said. "They want to be able to meet that need and so certainly there is a concern that we don't want preschool to be cost prohibitive for any family. Half-day voluntary preschool is funded by the state. That funding only covers about half a student but the district is able to provide it at no cost to parents. Last year both Starry and Longfellow Elementary had waiting lists for full day pre-school. Ms. Brouwer says it remains a popular option for parents and she thinks even though they have decided to require a fee from parents it will remain the top option for parents. The district also made an effort to keep costs as low as possible for parents by looking at similar programs in the district."We also were really trying to be intentional at looking at other area programs that charge a fee at day care cost and really feel like we come in below some of the cost what it would be if the child would be in day care for that afternoon time frame," Ms. Brouwer said. Parents will now need to pay $195 per month for full day preschool with reduced fees possible for qualifying students. Half days will still be available at no cost and they will keep all five teachers and the current structure of the program.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is investigating a shots fired call in the 700 block of Ninth Street NW. CRPD says several shell casings were found in the area after receiving the call at 11:09 p.m. Sunday. Investigators tell CBS2/Fox 28 at least one round hit a home on the block, right through the front door. No injuries have been reported.
 
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
CBS2 Weather First Forecast
Clouds will be around all day long and hold temperatures in the low 40s this afternoon. A weak cold front will move through tonight and lead to the chance for some light rain showers after 10 p.m. There may be a brief wintry mix possible, especially in northeast Iowa where temperatures will be colder. Temperatures will continue to warm up through the start of the week. Highs will be in the upper 40s Tuesday afternoon under plenty of sunshine. It'll get warmer Wednesday with highs in the low to mid 50s. This will be ahead of a stronger storm system that will move in late Wednesday.