THURSDAY, OCT. 31, 2019 | IN THIS ISSUE

• New report highlights immigration's impact on Linn Co. economy
• The Summit offers leadership lessons from Corridor's most influential
• Robyn Rieckhoff selected to lead Variety's Eastern Iowa team
• Rental property rehab loans, grants available for IC residents
• EPA Region 7 accepting grant applications
New report highlights immigration's impact on Linn Co. economy
According to new research from New American Economy (NAE), immigrants accounted for 47 percent of the total population growth in Linn County between 2012-2017.

The report , published in partnership with the city of Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, also highlights the economic impact that immigrants have on the county, including contributions of $53.9 million in federal taxes and $26.1 million in state and local taxes.

Immigrants held a reported $225.6 million in spending power, providing an economic boost to Cedar Rapids as consumers.

The report also highlights how immigrants fill crucial workforce gaps in industries. While representing just 4.4% of Linn County's total population, immigrants accounted for 15.1% of all STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workers, 8.7% of manufacturing workers and 8.2% of hospitality workers. Roughly 7% of business owners in Linn County in 2017 were immigrants.

The report, which uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2017 American Community Survey, was released as the city of Cedar Rapids and the Economic Alliance bring together leaders to develop a strategic plan to ensure the city remains a welcoming community. Cedar Rapids was one of 14 communities selected nationally for the 2019  Gateways for Growth   award. 

“Cedar Rapids was built on a tradition of immigrant workers who created unique cultures and neighborhoods that remain today,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart in a news release. “We are eager to use this data to develop programs and initiatives to continue our city’s tradition of welcoming diversity, building on our strong and productive workforce, and enhancing our economy.”

New American Economy is a bipartisan research and advocacy organization "fighting for smart federal, state, and local immigration policies that help grow our economy and create jobs for all Americans," according to the organization's website .

IMAGE: A chart from New American Economy's latest report showing the share of immigrants in Linn County across four different metrics. SOURCE NAE
The Summit offers lessons from Corridor's most influential
Attendees of The Summit, a growing leadership conference hosted yesterday in downtown Iowa City, heard from three of the region’s most influential business leaders as part of a panel discussion attended by the CBJ.
 
Speaking to a packed ballroom at the Graduate Iowa City, Jim Conard of West Bank, Jeff Disterhoft of GreenState Credit Union and Sarah Gardial, of the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business – all past honorees on the CBJ’s annual  Most Influential list  – answered questions about tough challenges they’ve faced, the skills every leader must have and the most valuable criticisms they’ve received.
 
Mr. Conard kicked off the session by describing his early pitfalls in management at Norwest Bank at the young age of 23, when he was tasked with leading an office of 23 employees.
 
“I got the group together my first day, and I said, ‘Guess what, everybody, I’ve got great news. Our goal is eight sales per day, but we’re going to make our goal 13. And our cross-selling ratio goal is three, but we’re going to make it five. And by the way, on Monday morning, I know we open at 8 a.m., but let’s all be here at seven so we can get going on this!’”
 
“Let’s just say that things did not go so well for me in my first management job,” he continued, to laughter in the room. He described it as an early lesson in the fact that “people are different sometimes and not everybody automatically thinks about things the same way,” adding that “it’s not about what the leader does or how they do things, it’s all about teamwork and the morale you’ve got as a group.”
 
Mr. Disterhoft offered four valuable lessons taken from a calamitous college trip with his friends from Amsterdam to Munich, Germany, which found him stranded in a foreign country in the middle of a January night with no money, language skills or coat:
 
  • “First, take a big project, like me commuting from Amsterdam, and break it down into smaller projects. I knew I needed to go south, and I was just going to have to do it 20 minutes at a time.”
  • “Two, things are rarely as bad as they seem.”
  • “Three, in the words of Jim Valvano, never, ever, ever give up. You’ll find a way through perseverance.”
  • “Fourth, rely on your friends. A good support network will get you further than just about anything else in life.”
 
Asked about one characteristic or trait that defines the best leaders, Ms. Gardial answered “authenticity,” emphasizing that “you can’t play act being a leader. I think you have to lead from exactly who you are.”
 
She acknowledged that requires a good amount of self-awareness, but that every leader must understand their strengths and gifts, and search for those who can help fill in the gaps. She added that she sees “women struggle with this a lot,” because many times, culturally, role models are males.
 
“And I say, the last thing you want to do is try and act like that,” she added. “Coming at it from 100% of your own DNA is important.”
 
When asked about the most valuable criticism they’ve ever received, all three responded with a variation of “slow down,” whether in growth, ideation or day-to-day focus. They noted the importance of taking time to analyze and reflect on opportunities, and bringing other team members along with a new idea or initiative, instead of charging ahead and hoping others follow.
 
“The biggest mistakes I’ve made are when I failed to slow down,” Mr. Conard said. “It’s amazing to me now that I’ve been in banking 25 years, as opposed to how I thought my first few years, is how frequently you have the choice to slow down and make the right decision. Rarely are we ever really forced to make quick decisions.”
 
The Summit was organized by Montgomery Companies, which is owned by Jordan Montgomery , a 2019 Forty Under 40 honoree .
Robyn Rieckhoff selected to lead Variety's Eastern Iowa team
Variety - the Children’s Charity of Eastern Iowa has selected Robyn Rieckhoff to lead Variety’s Eastern Iowa team.

Ms. Rieckhoff had been serving as executive director of Cedar Rapids' Freedom Festival.

Ms. Rieckhoff will be responsible for executing the strategic plan of Variety. She will serve as its chief fundraiser, and will work with the local chapter's board of directors to fulfill the organization's mission.

“We are excited to have Robyn join the Variety team. Her track record of success in leadership positions overseeing operations and programs and donor relationships will be a huge asset for our organization,” said Sheri McMichael, executive director of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa, in a news release. “Robyn promises to bring a fresh vision and a heightened degree of energy to Variety. We’re looking forward to her leadership in engaging our partners and communities across eastern Iowa.”

Variety also announced the addition of new board members to Variety’s Eastern Iowa board of directors. They include:

  • Sarah Ruen Blanchard, Alliant Energy
  • Nicole Bryant, HyVee Iowa City
  • Erika Elles, Cargill
  • Joe Karasek, ImOn Communications
  • Tanner Marshall, Professional Office Services
  • Jeff Ulferts, Principal Financial Group
  • Stephanie Wunder, Wells Fargo 

For a complete list of Variety board members, visit varietyiowa.com/board.php . 
Rental property rehab loans, grants available for IC residents
A new housing rehabilitation program is available for rental property owners in Iowa City interested in rehabilitating smaller rental properties. 

The Rental Rehabilitation Program allows for owners of single-family and duplex rental properties in the city's targeted neighborhoods  to receive up to $24,999 per unit for rehab work through a zero-interest loan and a grant provided by the city. 

The program is funded primarily with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Up to $90,000 is available annually on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

This program is available for nonprofit and for-profit owners. Funding can go toward making energy efficiency improvements, making general property improvements that will aid in improving the health and safety of the occupants, and correcting housing code violations. 

For more information, including what properties are eligible,  visit the Rental Rehab Program page,  which includes the program guide, the  online rental rehab application, printable application forms and more. 
EPA Region 7 accepting grant applications
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 7 is now seeking grant applications from organizations offering locally focused environmental education projects that promote environmental and conservation stewardship.

Through the 2019 EE Local Grant Program, three to four grants, of no less than $50,000 and no more than $100,000 each, will be awarded. Region 7 covers Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

“This funding is an excellent opportunity for organizations to develop environmental stewardship in their communities and empower students, teachers, and the public to become educated about important environmental issues. I am always impressed by the quality and creativity of the proposals we receive,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford said in a news release.

Proposals are due by Jan. 6. The Request for Proposals is posted here. Find background information on the EE Grants Program and resources for applicants here.
Short Term Event Planner
Nov. 4
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 1220 First Ave., Coralville. Members are invited to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free. For information, call (319) 337-9637.

Nov. 5
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., St. Burch Tavern, 127 Iowa Ave., 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. 6
Make Your Mark, by ImpactCR, 5-7 p.m., The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Celebrate achievements by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s young professionals group, and preview new things to come in 2020. Free. For information, visit bit.ly/32jnQMc .

Nov. 7
A Toast to Our Communities Awards Breakfast, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Celebration Farm, 4696 Robin Woods Lane NE, Iowa City. This annual awards ceremony will acknowledge outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals. Tickets: $25-$35. To register, visit bit.ly/2MnsuBX .

Wake Up Marion, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 8-9 a.m., Scout of Marion, 725 11th St. Get to know Scout owner Nikki Kettelkamp while enjoying conversation with other Marion Chamber members. Free. For information, visit bit.ly/2nGpmch.

Boots to Business: Reboot, by the U.S. Small Business Administration, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., University of Dubuque Cedar Rapids campus, 296 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Room 109. This training session for veterans, National Guard members, reservists and their spouses will introduce attendees to the fundamentals of business ownership. Free, with lunch provided. To register, visit sbavets.force.com . For more information, contact Jo Eckert at [email protected] or (319) 362-6535.

Direct Mail, The Comeback, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., HyVee, 5050 Edgewood Road, Cedar Rapids. Learn how direct mail works, how to obtain a targeted direct mail list, when to use direct mail and more. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/2MF32ba . 
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
A jackknifed semi-truck brought traffic on southbound Interstate 380 to a complete standstill Thursday morning in Linn County. The crash first happened before 6:30 a.m. north of the County Home Road exit near Toddville. Crews were able to move the semi and reopen traffic around 8:20 a.m. No word yet on if there were any injuries.

Cedar Rapids police say the man shot near a Kum & Go gas station has died. Police say Reginald Ward Jr., 27, of Moline, Illinois, died at 4:40 a.m. Thursday. Mr. Ward's body will now be taken in for an autopsy. Police say the victim was shot before 8 a.m. Wednesday at Kum & Go along First Avenue NE. Investigators believe a silver, possibly four-door vehicle was seen leaving that area heading west on First Avenue shortly after the shooting. If anyone has information about the car or the shooting, call the Cedar Rapids Police Department at (319) 286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463).

These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
CBS2 Weather First Forecast
Snow will continue until 10-11 a.m. in southeast Iowa. Once the snow ends, the clouds will clear from west to east, and we'll get some sunshine this afternoon. It will be cold with temperatures in the low 30s. Trick-or-treaters will need to be bundled up as temperatures will drop into the upper 20s by mid-evening. Skies will remain clear overnight and temperatures will drop into the teens by Friday morning. A weak system will cross the state later on Friday afternoon/evening. Moisture will be limited, but a light rain/snow shower is possible.