Building blocks

Business 380 in September asked for your best economic-development ideas for the Corridor.

Responses ranged from community touches that would make the region a better place to recruit businesses to more big-picture notions. Here are some of those ideas.

Thanks to all who submitted suggestions.

Promote an active internship program spanning business sectors to develop a motivated, competent, diverse work force. - Della Rhodes, Marion

Create a duty-free zone in an area near the airport to allow import/export of goods duty free. - Gary Cotton, Cedar Rapids

Make the Corridor an entertainment destination, leveraging the new convention center and outdoor amphitheater in Cedar Rapids and smaller venues, too. - Mark Novak, Cedar Rapids

Create a recycling-reward system to increase the importance of being green, then promote the Corridor as a unique place because of recycling. - Katie Goettsche, Iowa City

In that same vein, create a more defined entertainment district, similar to that of the Kansas City Power & Light District. - Katie Goettsche, Iowa City

Expand the Iowa Valley Food Co-Op into the “food deserts” in the region, using social media to create shopping portals. - Jason Grimm, Amana

Local governments should use a team approach to make the Corridor the easiest place in the nation to have a profitable business. - Michael Kibler, Marion

Create a new business fund in which anyone could invest any amount. This would be a way for local people to own a piece of a new company. - Sean Taylor, Center Point

Make the community one that people and companies want to join by adding trails and bike lanes. Develop free things to do for families and singles. - Holly Chittick, Marion

My most innovative idea can be summed up in six words - locally owned American-based business development. - Mike Bauer, Hiawatha

Cities here really need to consider building a casino to keep the money locally. - Becky Robinson, Hiawatha

More public community events to stimulate local business and sense of community, to build a festival of musicians and other artists. - Emily Dunlay, Waterloo

A comprehensive enterprise zone, to offer property tax credits, to build, develop and rehabilitate commercial real estate in the area. - Robert McGee, Vinton