Downtown Forum Links

I had the pleasure of liveblogging last night's Gazette/KCRG forum on downtown/core neighborhood recovery issues. It was a standing-room-only affair.

During my feverish blogging, I dropped in quite a few links of interest. Here are some of those in a one-stop spot.

Iowa State University economist David Swenson came to talk, in part, about the value of buy local resolutions like the one passed by the Cedar Rapids City Council in January.

Here is his study of buy local efforts. Also, this is the text of Cedar Rapids' resolution. Folks in Marion, Hiawatha etc. have argued that the CR-only focus is too narrow and should be more regional.

Swenson's blog is here at Iowa Insider. He likes to mix it up on issues ripped from today's headlines.

Heather Younker, owner of Brewed Awakening in the uptown college district, talked about the 3/50 project. Younker spread the word in recent days that her shop is struggling and urged folks to join a nationwide effort to spend $50 at three local businesses they would hate to live without.

Details on the national effort can be found here.

Also, some folks who tuned into the forum and blog wondered where they could find a list businesses downtown, which, we were told, is home to 38 restaurants. Who knew?

The Downtown District has a list.

The Chamber's long term recovery effort was announced here.

Cedar Rapids

Small Business Recovery's Web site.