MONDAY, OCT. 12, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE

• Mercy Medical Center plans furloughs
• Anamosa facility to make STEM learning toys
• IC dog community center plans taking shape
• ICAD launches new fundraising campaign
• Horizons awarded IWF Core Grant
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast

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Mercy Medical Center announces furlough plan
Citing a substantial drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids has confirmed it is requiring staff furloughs and leaves of absence.

A total of 48 employees are being placed on temporary furloughs, while 157 staff and leaders will be required to take paid or unpaid leave. The hospital said the furloughs are occurring in non-clinical areas and some clinical areas with lower patient volumes, while staffing volumes in high-need area such as those serving COVID-19 patients will remain high.

“This is an exceedingly difficult decision," Mercy Medical Center president and CEO Tim Charles said in a prepared statement released to the news media. "We are mindful of the very human impact this has on affected employees and everyone in the organization. This is not what we had envisioned for this year but, unfortunately, it’s something we and so many hospitals are facing right now. Our full intention is that these temporary changes will strengthen our ability to achieve our mission and serve the community well into the future.”   

The hospital remains financially healthy, but needs to make the cuts to remain so, the statement said. It cited revenue shortfalls resulting from the state's requirement that hospitals suspend elective services last spring, and the slower than expected return of patients for elective services since that time.

"Unfortunately, government support has been limited and has only covered a small fraction of the revenue that has been lost," the statement said. "The signal from Washington is that additional relief will not be forthcoming soon, if ever."

The statement follows recent news that Mercy Iowa City, which is not affiliated with Mercy Medical Center, is laying off 29 staff due to reduced revenues, and closing an inpatient mental health unit.
BluTrack plans manufacturing facility in Anamosa
BluTrack, an Iowa company that specializes in hands-on, creative toys and STEM products, has announced plans to begin construction on a 8,500-square foot-manufacturing facility in Anamosa.

CBJ coverage partner KCRG-TV9 reports that the expansion is in response to the company’s growth, as well as to support its vision of becoming a mass-market toy manufacturer.

Plant construction is set to begin in early October, with completion in January 2021. The plant will extrude BluTrack’s patented race track systems, using the latest advances in flow production, lean manufacturing, and process technology to reduce waste, increase throughput, and promote innovation.

“We are excited for the opportunity to improve the efficiency of BluTrack production, without taking short-cuts in terms of quality.” said Randy Belding, the company’s founder and president. “Kids and teachers deserve a high-quality, durable track that will outlast even the most creative child’s imagination."

Both Belding and co-owner Jeff Borland, a native of Independence, are graduates of the University of Northern Iowa.

“Growing up in Independence both Randy and I know the great work ethic you find in small-town Iowa," Mr. Borland said. "You just can’t find a better place to build a quality manufacturing facility - with quality people and outstanding community support.”
IC dog community center facility to be named W.A.L.K.
The name 'W.A.L.K.' has been chosen for a private dog-themed community activities center aiming to open next year in Iowa City.

“The name is meant to be playful and fun and connote exercise and health for people and pets,” founder Phil O’Brien said in a news release. “The idea came from the fact many of us often spell out words when we talk about things in front of our dogs. We do it because we don’t want them to get too excited or have them start running around the house before we know exactly what our plans are.”

The concept is to provide a space where people of all ages who own or love animals can gather, play, learn, exercise, eat, and relax together year-round. Dog ownership is not required to enjoy the center.
 
“The most important aspect is that it will be a safe, pet-friendly community,” Mr. O’Brien said. “I built this around the idea that we want people and pets to walk away a little healthier and a little happier each time they visit.” 
 
Planned for a site off I-80 at 2513 Highlander Place, the 30,000-square-foot facility aims to attract both locals and family or friends traveling through. It will feature an elevated walking track, dog swimming pool with diving doc, an off-leash area for agility and more. The center will also offer food, drink, and co-working spaces, and host events such as weddings and birthday parties.

In the coming months, Mr. O’Brien plans to work with investors, supporters and builders to solidify plans for a a 2021 opening. An exact date has not been set, and Mr. O’Brien is seeking naming right sponsors for the various areas of the center. Working with Meld Marketing, Mr. O'Brien launched a new website this week that offers the ability to pre-order annual memberships.

IMAGE: The proposed W.A.L.K. dog center CREDIT: Shive-Hattery Inc.
ICAD launches new fundraising campaign
Calling now a historical moment that “requires bold and innovative action,” the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) has launched Designing Our Future, a three-year $3 million fundraising drive to “build a new, agile economic blueprint that will position us for the future.”

The campaign, unveiled at ICAD’s annual meeting last week, calls for investment in three areas: community development, business development and innovation, and developing people.

“I think, for me, Designing Our Future is all about looking forward and deciding how we can come together in an inclusive way to really be a place where everyone can thrive,” said ICAD President Kate Moreland in a campaign video aired at the meeting, adding that the rapid pace of change over the past seven months since the pandemic upended the business community is what motivated the campaign.

Ms. Moreland, who took over at ICAD in April, said the task of “rebuilding and reimagining the future” is daunting right now, “but we are up for the challenge.”

According to a campaign brochure, community development initiatives will include local food security, internet access, housing, childcare and sustaining arts and culture. The list of business development and innovation strategies includes consulting services, peer mentoring, targeted business attraction in medical and edtech, supporting entrepreneurs and startups, and “leveraging ICR regional marketing” for business and workforce attraction.

In terms of developing people, ICAD will support and market remote working through coworking, including its own MERGE space, and develop strategies to create and sustain a viable workforce to support current and future business and industry workforce needs, including partnering with the Iowa City Community School District on its Portrait of a Graduate work.

Investors in the campaign will receive benefits based on donation amounts, ranging from an ICAD investor window decal and access to job candidates via the ICR Talent Hub to priority for future ICAD board positions and other perks.

“At the end of the day, we are really focused on helping our companies thrive … in this region, whether it be attraction or development of workforce, expanding their existing operations or helping that new startup,” said Tom Banta, ICAD’s director of strategic growth. “The opportunity really lies in this idea of what it could look like and then painting that picture, that vision for what we would like it to be.”
Horizons awarded Women's Foundation Core Grant
The Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) announced 2021 Core Grant recipients during the group's Annual Luncheon on Oct. 9.

Horizons, A Family Service Alliance in Cedar Rapids, is one of the 13 recipients of the 2021 Core Grants for its Creating Economic Mobility for Women project that addresses the issue of transportation. The program covers the ridership fees of women dropping their children off to daycare for work shifts and the subsequent transportation to work. The goal is to increase the accessibility of women to nontraditional working hours (outside 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), increase access to equitable and safe child care, and develop a network of support for women to experience economic mobility. 

During the last rider survey, 75% of clients reported an increase in income after using Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS) through Horizons. Funding will provide rides to work and school for at least 180 women.

IWF has awarded a total of $100,000 to 13 organizations across the state to fund Core Grant programs for 2021, raising the total granted to over $1.1million since the first grants were awarded in 1997.

IWF works to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. Grants are awarded to projects that focus primarily on serving the needs and aspirations of women and girls. 
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Short Term Event Planner
 
Oct. 13
Leaving the Office Behind: Building the Best Culture for Remote Work, by Kirkwood Corporating Training, 8 a.m.-noon, Legacy Manufacturing, 6509 Partners Ave., Marion. Explore proven tips and techniques to help you be effective and productive in a remote situation, while also leading team members. Free. For information, call Kirkwood Corporate Training at (319) 398-5623.
 
Plant Layout Simulations with Flow Planner, by Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research & Service (CIRAS), 10-11 a.m., online. This webinar will explain how CIRAS can create a simulation of your plant layout and find the most efficient way to operate. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3cBhaiB.
 
Brown Deer Cooperative Groundbreaking, by Iowa City Area Business Partnership, 4-5 p.m., 1900 Country Club Drive, Coralville. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2I7NUoj.
 
Oct. 14
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.

Oct. 15
PPP Forgiveness Observations for Financial Institutions, by CLA, 1-2 p.m., online. 
Hear insights and observations from CLA leaders on assisting lenders with the processing of borrower PPP forgiveness applications. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/3lnQwwF. 
 
Highlander Hotel Ribbon Cutting, by Iowa City Area Business Partnership, 4-5 p.m., 2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City. Help celebrate the remodel of this iconic Iowa City hotel. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/3llbhJl. 
 
Forty Under 40, by Corridor Business Journal, 6-8:30 p.m., online. The Forty Under 40 awards recognize 40 leaders under the age of 40 who have made a significant impact in their business and community early in their careers. Free. For more information or to register, visit corridorbusiness.com/events/ or contact Ashley Moore at [email protected].
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Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9 

A group of people living in Marion Village Mobile Home Community have joined together to address concerns over their out-of-state property management company. The group said in their second meeting on Sunday that they feel like they have not been heard by management. Nearly 80 people are now part of the new neighborhood association. “A lot of people were saying they wanted someone to talk to management for them or they needed to have management hear them,” Lucy Mills, the group’s new president said. Mills said she surveyed her neighbors to find many people had concerns about a cockroach infestation that’s only gotten worse after the derecho, but also things like rising rent and water bills. Mills said the property management company, Yes Communities, based out of Colorado, sent out a letter to people in the park that added new rules that don’t match tenants' and homeowners' previous agreements - things like no window air conditioners, restrictions on indoor window coverings and lattice around homes. The group established their goal isn’t to be combative, but to find a way to work with management on their concerns. State Rep. Molly Donahue joined Sunday’s meeting. She told TV9 out-of-state companies need to be more attentive to residents' needs and maintaining affordable housing in Iowa is imperative.

People will be given the opportunity to mourn the loss of a student at the University of Northern Iowa on Monday evening, according to school officials. The school announced plans for a commemoration of the life of Isaac Roerig, 19, after his death in a vehicular incident. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Lawther Field on Monday. Roerig was struck by a passing semi-truck while he was standing outside of his vehicle on an overpass on U.S. Highway 20 at around 1:45 p.m. Oct. 9. He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The school said the gathering will feature students and faculty from the university’s school of music, where Roerig was studying music education. The Panther Marching Band will also participate.

These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast

Scattered rain continues to move through Eastern Iowa this morning. We should see clearing fairly quickly once the rain moves out by the early afternoon. A mix of sun and clouds this afternoon with highs in the mid to upper 60s. Winds could also gust upwards of 40 mph throughout the day, even after the rain moves out. Winds look to die down overnight as temperatures fall into the mid to upper 40s. Dry weather moves in for the rest of the week. Temperatures will briefly warm into the 70s Tuesday and Wednesday before falling into the 50s for the rest of the week.