Saying ‘Yes’ to Economic Alliance Opportunities Opens Doors

They connect you with people and businesses to create opportunities for you, your employees and your organization. Don’t just take our word for it, hear directly from members.

Ask Kevin Platz, CEO of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of REALTORS about the value of being a Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance member, and he’ll share a long list. “The CR Area Association of Realtors has probably been a member for at least 70 years, back when it was the Chamber of Commerce, because they work on community and economic development and workforce issues. Today, we have a symbiotic relationship with the Economic Alliance because their efforts to grow the community help our organization. The more businesses and people that move here, the more real estate is bought and sold.”

That is an obvious benefit. But Platz also feels a significant benefit is the Economic Alliance’s legislative efforts. “We can’t all get to Des Moines to make sure legislation is passed that is pro-business or that legislation is stopped that is not pro-business. But the Economic Alliance’s public policy strategist is well-known and well-connected in the statehouse. This is an important benefit that most members don’t realize.”

As a past staff member of the Chamber, he had a consistent piece of advice for members. “You get out of it what you put into it and I compared it to being like a business insurance policy. If the Economic Alliance continues to be successful at what it’s supposed to do, the community will thrive. Being a member is an investment in the community.”

Platz has put these words of advice into action by serving on the Business Support Innovation Council. He enjoys strategic thinking, planning and working with the Economic Alliance staff and other council members. He is also a past graduate of the Leadership for Five Seasons program and recommends applying for this program because of the educational aspects and the lifelong friendships and colleagues he’s made.

“Put membership into your budget because it is so important to support this organization that helps foster, expand and recruit workforce to our area. Get involved if you can and understand that the Economic Alliance is working on your behalf. It is important for all businesses to be a member at whatever level they can afford. I never thought of not renewing our membership.”

Craig Montz, a Business Group Leader for Miron Construction, has been a member of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance for 20 years. While he chose to become a member in large part because of the networking opportunities, he believes saying ‘yes’ to his membership has benefited his career in many ways.

“A surprising benefit of being a member was how well the Economic Alliance connected me to who and what I needed at the time.” Montz attends Biz Mixes on a regular basis and shares they are great way to network. He remembers meeting people there that are now fellow community leaders, and regularly meets new people that look to be future leaders. BizMix events provides the opportunity for members of all levels to come together at a local business establishment and connect, network and building lasting connections with other members on a regular basis

One opportunity Montz said ‘yes’ to was serving to chair the Community Development Innovation Council. “This council has accomplished so much and helped bring many ideas to fruition. Ideas such as Race for the Space, that helped fund Keto Kitchen to open a restaurant in the Armstrong Centre, Market After Dark and the Downtown Murals, to name a few. It has been a great way to get involved in the community.”

”Find a reason to join the Economic Alliance and participate,” Montz emphasized. “It will open up doors for your involvement in the community and help advance your career. When I became an office manager at Miron Construction about fifteen years ago, the Economic Alliance connected me to other like managers. Because of those connections, I formed long term relationships and now we have lunch together and talk through our business challenges.”

Ready to join a group of connectors by becoming a member? Contact Anne Laugen at alaugen@cedarrapids.org or visit cedarrapids.org/membership online.