THURSDAY, NOV. 7, 2019 | IN THIS ISSUE
• CBJ Podcasts: Nate Kaeding talks retail with Mary Sundblad
• Alliant beats expectations in Q3 with rate base growth
• Flood levee in CR's Czech Village completed
• Marion's quality of life receives high marks in survey
• Grant applications now available for Witwer Trust program
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CBJ Podcasts: Nate Kaeding talks retail with Mary Sundblad
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The “risk-taker” personality is central to the success of most entrepreneurs, and it’s key to Mary Sundblad, the owner of Stuff Etc., the retail consignment store chain based in Iowa City. The former “Army brat” with seven brothers grew up making her own way and trying new things, whether working at businesses up and down the Coralville Strip or enrolling in the University of Iowa’s radiology program. When she discovered the former Merry Go Round consignment shop in Iowa City, she took her next leap, buying what would become Stuff Etc.
That entrepreneurial spirit has served her well as the company begins to expand nationwide through franchising. In an age of online retailing, Mary has seen that people still like to find bargains they can touch, feel and try on before buying. She’s employed her sharp powers of observation to tweak the business model, and see what the market wanted. Growing Stuff Etc. to eight store locations is quite an achievement, yet it could be just the foundation for something even bigger, as I learned from talking to Mary.
Mary and I sat down at the CBJ Studios in North Liberty to discuss her upbringing, her introduction to the world of business and where she sees the consignment model headed in the next decade.
Listen to their conversation in the latest episode of
Real Success with Nate Kaeding
, presented by MidWestOne Bank, and subscribe to the series wherever you listen to podcasts (now including
Stitcher
).
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Alliant beats expectations in Q3 with rate base growth
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Alliant Energy reports its third quarter profits grew by $20.5 million over last year, hitting $226 million, or 94 cents per share, and beating analysts’ estimates.
The company’s revenue grew 6.6% for the quarter ended Sept. 30, climbing to $990.2 million, up from $928.6 million year over year. The improvement was driven by increasing rate bases for its Iowa and Wisconsin utilities, and favorable timing of income tax expenses, according to the company. The company’s retail electric and gas utility customer bases grew 0.5% and 0.4% year over year, respectively.
Operating expenses for electric power production and transmission shrank over the quarter, but were offset by higher non-utility transportation, energy efficiency and depreciation costs.
“As we advance our commitment to cleaner energy and affordable customer options, we are investing in renewable energy and distribution system enhancements,” said John Larsen, Alliant Energy’s chairman, president and CEO, in a release. “We raised our 2019 earnings guidance to a range of $2.27-$2.33 per share, largely due to the benefits of weather during the first nine months of this year.”
The company had previously set its full-year guidance at $2.17-$2.31.
Alliant’s board of directors also approved a 7% increase in its annual common stock dividend target, raising it to $1.52 per share for 2020.
Shares of the company were down about 1% as of 11 a.m., to $51.35.
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Flood levee in CR's Czech Village completed
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The Czech Village flood levee has been completed and the Cedar Valley Trail, which was temporarily closed during construction, is back open, according to the city of Cedar Rapids.
Work on the Czech Village levee began in 2017 with the removal or relocation of underground public and private utilities. The levee stretches half a mile from the Linn County Solid Waste Agency to 16th Avenue SW, and is approximately 16-20 feet tall on average. On top of the levee is a 12-foot wide walking/bike trail, which is anticipated to open next spring. Final grading will also occur next spring.
The Czech Village levee provides protection to a river elevation up to 19.5 feet. Once the entire Flood Control System is complete and the levee ties into future segments, it will provide protection to the 2008 flood volume.
The project also includes a detention basin in Czech Village, located off Bowling Street SW. The detention basin will be able to store excess rain water until it can be safely pumped back into the Cedar River.
Work on additional flood protection continues in the area. Starting next year, work will begin on the installation of underground storm sewer gates in Czech Village, which close to prevent river water from backing up into the storm sewer system and flooding roadways.
IMAGE: The Czech Village levee under construction. CREDIT CBS2/FOX 28
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Marion's quality of life receives high marks in survey
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A new city survey conducted by National Research Center Inc. finds that more than 90 percent of Marion residents rate the community as an excellent or good place to live.
The five-page survey measures the overall livability of communities, taking into consideration the relationship between government entities, the private sector, community-based organizations and the residents of a geographic area. In Marion, the survey was mailed to 1,700 residents.
Ninety-three percent of residents rated the community as an excellent or good place to live and 88% rated the overall quality of life positively.
Marion ranked well above both national and peer benchmarks, with 94% of respondents indicating that Marion is an excellent or good place to raise children. K-12 education also ranked higher than both benchmarks, and nine in 10 residents positively rated the overall feeling of safety in Marion. Nine in 10 respondents would also recommend living in Marion to someone who asked.
Areas of improvement also were identified,
particularly related to streets/infrastructure and code enforcement.
“These survey results reaffirm our status as the best place to raise a family and much of that has to do with the quality of life that we enjoy,” said Marion Mayor Nicolas AbouAssaly in a news release. “There’s still work to be done, but with a dedicated staff and Marion’s collaborative nature we will continue on in a positive direction.”
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Grant applications now available for Witwer Trust program
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The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting grant applications for the fiscal year 2020 Witwer Trust Grant Program.
Eligible nonprofit organizations in Linn County may apply for grant funding for projects that benefit Linn County residents. This year, $80,000 is available. The application deadline is Dec. 15.
The online application, eligibility requirements, and a list of frequently asked questions are available on the Linn County website at
LinnCounty.org/witwer.
The grant awards are distributed from the proceeds of a trust established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979.
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Nov. 11
Iowa Inventors Group Meeting,
by IIG, 7 p.m., Community Savings Bank, 101 Robins Square Court, Robins. Warren Tuttle, president of the United Inventors Association board of directors, will speak via Skype. Free. For more information, visit
iowainventorsgroup.org.
Nov. 12
TechBrew AM,
by Technology Association of Iowa and Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8-9 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids. TAI President Brian Waller conducts casual interviews with CIOs, who discuss their career path and share what’s most important for Iowa’s tech community. Free. To register, visit
bit.ly/2mXjlr7
.
Marketing Forum,
by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 11:45-1 p.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Driven by group discussion, participants will receive advice and tips, learn from others, and grow their professional network. This month's topic is budgeting and strategic planning. Free. For information, visit
bit.ly/2oBuzSs.
Small Business Lunch Roundtable,
by SCORE of East Central Iowa, noon-1 p.m., Granite City Food & Brewery, 4755 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Build lasting relationships, share best practices and get help with challenges. Free. To register, visit
conta.cc/2MP3DqP.
Edward Jones Ribbon Cutting,
by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 4 p.m., Edward Jones-Bob Eustice office, 295 Tower Terrace Road, Suite C, Marion. Free. For more information, visit
bit.ly/2CfFxRk
.
Natural Grocers Ribbon Cutting,
by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 4-5 p.m., Natural Grocers, 1404 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City, Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/34ABQSj.
Nov. 13
Re-Connect: Careers & Conversation,
by IowaWORKS, 3 p.m., Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St., Coralville. This event will host employers from six major industry sectors in the region. Each employer will present their industry sector, their individual company and answer questions from job candidates. This event is open to veterans. Free. For more information, visit
iowaworks.gov
.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
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These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
One person was killed Wednesday in a crash on Highway 151 near Anamosa. The Iowa State Patrol says it happened at 5:50 p.m. on Highway 151 and Old Dubuque Road in Jones County. A crash report says a driver in a Dodge Durango was heading east and stopped on Old Dubuque Road at Highway 151. When the vehicle went into the intersection, it was hit by a second vehicle heading south on 151. Investigators have not released the name of the driver killed.
Two Clear Creak Amana High School students are facing charges after guns were found in their cars during a K-9 drug investigation at the school Wednesday morning. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office says local law enforcement were at the school doing K-9 training exercises. During the exercise, two separate drug investigations were started involving two vehicles in the parking lot. During searches of the vehicles, deputies located a handgun in each of the vehicles. Officials say two Clear Creek Amana students, ages 16 and 17, were arrested and taken to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center in Cedar Rapids. Both are charged with carrying weapons on school property. One of the juveniles is also charged with possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff's office says there is no indication of an ongoing or imminent threat to the school, students or staff. There is also no evidence that the cases are connected.
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
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CBS2 Weather First Forecast
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It will be sunny today with high pressure in overhead. However, it will be cold with temperatures in the 30s - around 20 degrees below normal. There will be a wind chill throughout the day in the teens. We'll have mostly clear skies tonight and temperatures will drop down into the teens. It will be calm and cold again tomorrow with temperatures in the low to mid 30s. Winds will switch out of the south Saturday and send temperatures into the mid to upper 40s. Enjoy that because an Arctic front will move into Eastern Iowa Sunday.
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