Grateful for the Cedar rapids Metro Economic Alliance

Having been born and raised in Cedar Rapids, and a third generation business and commercial property owner, I thought I had a good idea how the business economy of our city functioned. Then I changed careers and have the unique opportunity to work with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

Over the course of the last several months, I have been training and learning at the Economic Alliance, all the while observing the incredible work that is being accomplished.

On any given day, dozens of people at the Economic Alliance, both staff and volunteers, work together to strengthen the economy of Cedar Rapids and the Creative Corridor. I've seen training sessions, workshops, conferences, interviews, Innovation Councils, task forces, peer groups and other meetings facilitated to bring people together and fuel the economic engine that we all depend on in some way. I have been impressed by what I see.

The Economic Alliance staff is made up of skilled individuals, each with their respective job focus. Each person is charged with executing initiatives such as legislative advocacy, corporate relations, workforce attraction and retention, laborshed studies, economic development, downtown housing, community development, communication and coordination with city, county and state officials, etc. In addition there is also new member recruitment, existing member retention, business advocacy, small business support and a long list of special events and programs including PM Exchanges, Roundtables, Leadership for Five Seasons, Good Morning Cedar Rapids and the wildly successful Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Markets. All this in the very short time that I've been observing. And all in an effort to keep our area vibrant, relevant and progressive.

Funding for the Economic Alliance comes from a variety of sources, the largest of which is membership dues. In the past when my brother and I were running our own business, there were times we questioned our investment. Every time we continued our support with the rationale that the organization needs everyone's support in order to do the work that each individual business could not do effectively. Now I know how correct we were in our assessment and wish there was a way I could have known all that the organization does. I cannot imagine what our business landscape would look like if it weren't for the past, present and future efforts of the Economic Alliance.

As with any membership organization, there are supporters and detractors. It is to be expected. The naysayers do not support the Economic Alliance for a variety of reasons. Is it a perfect organization? No. Regardless, what I have witnessed leads me to believe that our investment in the Economic Alliance is a sound investment. I know it can be hard to support that which you cannot see or do not have firsthand knowledge of, but I can assure you that the Economic Alliance staff is passionate about the success of this region.

I encourage you to support the Economic Alliance. Be a member, and if you can afford the time, be a volunteer. It will pay dividends in ways that you may not be aware of, but which benefit us all.

' Phil Wasta is executive director of the MedQuarter regional medical district. Comments: phil@themedquarter.com