116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Business Notes for March 31, 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 submitted to Business Notes by email to businessnotes@thegazette.com, or on our site at thegazette.com/businessnotes.
New hires
Jesse Jacob has joined OPN Architects in its Cedar Rapids studio as a construction administrator.
Kudos
Larry Witzel and Strategic Financial Solutions have been named to the 2024 National Association of Plan Advisors list of the nation's top-defined contribution advisor teams with assets under advisement of at least $100 million.
Dupaco Community Credit Union has been named to USA Today’s list of Top Workplaces. Dupaco secured the award based on an employee engagement survey administered by Energage to 300 organizations with 500 to 999 employees.
Board officers
AAUW: Jeaneal Weeks and Maria Dean have been elected as co-presidents of the American Association of University Women, Cedar Rapids branch, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Deanna Howard was elected financial director/treasurer; Anne Kiche, DEI director; Carol Hedberg and Sue Jorgensen, communications committee; Deborah Reed, Sofia DeMartino, Erica Yoder, and Linda Armitage, board advisers
Honor Flight: Lynette Voss was named the fourth president of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight on March 11. She is the first woman to hold the job since the organization’s inception in 2009. Since then, 49 flights have transported 4,330 veterans, along with their guardians, to the nation’s capital to pay their respects at the World War II, Korean and Vietnam memorials and Arlington National Cemetery.
Other news
Dental clinic “floss cutting”: The Eastern Iowa Health Center will host a “floss cutting” at the grand opening of its expanded Dental Health Clinic, 1210 Fourth Ave. SE, from 3 to 5 p.m. April 11. Tours will be available, with brief remarks at 4 p.m.
Cedar Witch Goods award: Katie Adams, owner of Cedar Witch Goods, won the 2024 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award from NewBo City Market. By winning the March 23 competition, she wins a year’s free rent at the market, starting in June, where she will sell her skin care and lifestyle goods. The award was made possible by the Linn Area Credit Union.
Willis Dady fundraiser: Willis Dady Homeless Services will have its ninth annual Hops for Housing fundraiser April 27 at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., with live music, a silent auction, awareness-raising games and samples from 20-plus local and national breweries and cideries. Tickets are $40 and available online at https://givebutter.com/HOPS24. The annual fundraiser supports Willis Dady’s emergency shelter, outreach, housing, employment and homeless prevention programs and veterans services, with 100 percent of the event’s proceeds going to the nonprofit.
Faith Farms & Climate: Iowa Interfaith Power & Light is inviting Iowa farmers to attend one of four upcoming discussions about the intersection of faith, farming and climate action. The Coralville event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. For location and details, RSVP to Tim Gossett by emailing tgossett@iowaipl.org or calling (515) 207-5044.
Rock the Block: This year’s free Rock the Block concerts begin May 10 at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, with the Surf Zombies playing at 6 p.m. Other performers scheduled for this summer include Gold Revere, The Invisible Band and Isaac Jordan. The lineup can be found at newbocitymarket.org/rock-the-block.
Food Truck Tuesdays: Food Truck Tuesdays return May 7, running 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays through August, at NewBo City Market, 1110 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids.
Meet Me at the Market: The free Meet Me at the Market exercise programs return May 9, scheduled every Thursday through August in the NewBo City Market yard. Dance is from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; walks, runs and biking start at 6 p.m.; and yoga is from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Seniors and finance: Brad C. Breeding will speak on senior living and personal finance at 11 a.m. April 10 at Cottage Grove Place, 2115 First Ave. SE. A luncheon will follow. Those wishing to attend can reserve a spot by contacting Alexandria Garcia at (319) 297-5592 or emailing agarcia@cottagegroveplace.com.
Small business of the week: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, last week named Keg Creek Brewing in Mills County as her small business of the week. Randy Romens, John Bueltel, Art Renz and Grant Hebel founded the brewery in Glenwood in southwest Iowa in 2011 after home-brewing beers in their garages and basements. Matt Kirsch became the primary owner in 2015, increasing distribution. The 15-barrel brewery, with 20 taps, hosts live music, sports and trivia in the summer, 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.
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