BRAVO and Spotlight award winners announced

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s annual celebration recognizing locally owned businesses and community organizations will be Nov. 1 at the Radisson Cedar Rapids.

Good Morning Cedar Rapids! honors the role small businesses and non-profits play in the local economy and community.

Returning hosts Clare Duffy and Eric Hanson of KZIA Z102.9/Morning Scramble will entertain with the help of musical acts. Doors open at 7 a.m., with entertainment starting at 7:30 a.m. This event is sold out.

Each year, three unique, home-grown businesses are given the BRAVO Award. This honor “shines a light on some of our area’s best kept business secrets, recognizing their contributions as a business in the Cedar Rapids Metro area,” the Alliance said in a news release.

This year’s recipients are:

Conlon Construction: For 120 years, Conlon Construction has provided construction management, general contracting, project development, and facilities management services to commercial clients nation-wide. Conlon’s headquarters is in Dubuque with offices in Coralville, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

Embody Bridal: Embody Bridal is an experience-based bridal salon that prioritizes inclusivity and helping brides find the perfect dress. The Cedar Rapids store offers attire in varied styles and sizes, with the ability to customize gowns. Appointments are private.

Northtowne Cycling & Fitness: This 98-year-old, family-owned retail store in Cedar Rapids has been recognized as a top retailer by the National Bike Dealer Association and other industry organizations in each of the last five decades. Through contributing to the health of the community, it has built relationships with customers for generations.

Spotlight awards

Good Morning Cedar Rapids! also recognizes the work of four organizations in the community with Community Spotlight awards. Honorees are:

CREventsLive! is a hub where individuals can go to find out about entertainment at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse, ImOn Ice Arena, McGrath Amphitheatre and Paramount Theatre. VenuWorks operates, books and manages the venues for the city of Cedar Rapids.

ICR Talent Hub: The ICR (Iowa CIty-Cedar Rapids) Talent Hub is a free service that aims to connect employers wishing top talent and to help people wanting to find a job in the Corridor.

Inclusive ICR (Iowa City-Cedar Rapids) is a Corridor coalition with a mission to grow diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce and in our communities. Members of the coalition come from many types of businesses and typically serve in leadership, human resources or diversity specialist roles within their organizations

Matthew 25 is a nonprofit focused on revitalizing neighborhoods on the west side of Cedar Rapids. Its mission is to improve the health of people and neighborhoods by investing in quality affordable housing, healthy food, educational opportunities, and community building.

The event’s presenting sponsor is Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, with ITC Midwest and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield as supporting sponsors.