Business Notes for Sept. 8, 2024

The Gazette’s Business Notes is a compendium of the week’s promotions, new hires, certifications, added business lines and business events, among other items, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the rest of the Corridor. Information and photos can be emailed to businessnotes@thegazette.com.

Promotions

MidWest One Financial Group, parent company of MidWest One Bank, has announced the promotion of Barb Finney to executive vice president, director of bank operations.

Linn County Deputy Sheriff Derek Steines recently was promoted to sergeant and will serve as a supervisor in the communications division. A 16-year veteran, he was previously a K-9 handler in the patrol division.

Kudos

Mercy Cedar Rapids has been named among the America’s Best Employers by State 2024 list by Forbes magazine. Forbes lists 30 employers across Iowa, with Mercy in the No. 17 position.

Other news

Artificial intelligence in project management: The Project Management Institute Eastern Iowa Chapter will be hosting its 17th annual Professional Development Day on Oct. 4 at The Graduate in Iowa City. The program will be on using artificial intelligence in project management to streamline processes, automate tasks and assist data-driven decision- making. To register, go to https://pmieasterniowa.org/pdd-2024.

Small business of the week: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, last week selected Tootsie’s Ice Cream & More of Benton County as her small business of the week.

Corey Seibert in 2012 bought and renamed what had been known as Leon’s Malt Shop for more than 50 years. He has expanded the business to locations in Vinton and La Porte City and employs more than 20 people, providing sandwiches and broasted chicken in addition to ice cream and desserts. Customers also leave with a complimentary Tootsie Roll.

Ernst, the ranking member on the Senate’s Small Business Committee, is naming one exceptional small business of the week in each of Iowa’s counties during this congressional session.