Homers -- What’s going right

RECOVERY RECOGNITION: The extensive, complicated flood recovery process certainly has sometimes been confusing, painful and challenging for this community. Still, it's notable to see that involved federal agencies point to the City of Cedar Rapids as a “best case” example of disaster recovery planning that has produced continued growth and civic improvements. The city's planning also has been recognized as follows: International Downtown Associations' Pinnacle Award. Army Corps of Engineer's Outstanding Planning Achievement, American Planning Association's National Best Hazard Mitigation Award, Iowa Planning Association's Hard Won Victory Planning Award, and 1000 Friends of Iowa 2012 Best New Residential Project for Flood Recovery Housing.

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GROWING NEIGHBOR: Metro neighbor Marion's population growth soared more than 32 percent the past decade. And leaders' efforts to grow the business tax base there yielded 55 commercial building permits worth $16.1 million in construction in 2012, more than double the previous year. Also, 33 businesses added a collective 337 jobs, the Marion Economic Development Co. reported Wednesday.