Cedar Rapids, Iowa City economic development program focuses on retention, expansion

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Iowa City Area Development Group have appointed a staffer to work with 150 interstate companies in the state to address their expansion plans, infrastructure needs and work force issues.

Allison Antes, who was working in a similar role for the Economic Alliance, will spearhead the regional program.

An interstate commerce company does most of its business with companies in other states or countries.

ICAD President Mark Nolte said in a prepared statement that while recruiting companies to the region is important, the Corridor's existing businesses account for about 70 percent of employment growth in the market.

Antes will gather company data and use a business information system to measure the growth, risk, value and satisfaction of each company.

Dee Baird, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance, said Antes's new role will allow the economic development groups to work more cohesively as a region. The groups can then compare the regional data to other markets across the state and country and identify selling points for business recruitment.

"These companies are driving revenue into the region," Baird said. "You need to have a good mix of these types of businesses in addition to the companies that are bringing goods into the region."