Celebrate #CorriorEdWeek

This week is National Economic Development Week. The work of Corridor economic development organizations positions our communities to attract and grow business, ensure employment options and help create a diversified tax base through coordinating, promoting, advocating for and assisting business opportunities. Area economic development organizations create strategic relationships with the business community, educators, local government, and statewide economic development partners to do their work.

The Creative Corridor enjoys an environment of collaboration among local development organizations. One example of this is the Creative Corridor Regional Vision Rising project. This project will build on regional strengths, preserve local identity, and add value to the existing efforts of individual organizations throughout the region. Several local organizations are represented on the Steering Committee, including the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, the Corridor Alliance, the Iowa City Area Development Group, and the Marion Economic Development Corporation.

Economic development organizations invest in tomorrow's workforce through partnerships with area education systems from K-12 through all forms of higher education with the intent to develop a strong pipeline to drive future business success. Our region recently collaborated on a Laborshed Analysis through the Iowa Department of Workforce Development. This study measured the commuting patterns in the Corridor labor market, verifying that the workforce does not depend on a Zip code. We know that employees are willing to travel to the right job and remain in their community of choice. Workforce strategists partner with Corridor economic development teams to create and execute plans for continuing to grow the region's workforce and future employment opportunities.

Economic development is work that happens year-round and mostly behind the scenes. One week in May, the 8th-14th, is dedicated to shine a light on the work of economic developers in the Corridor. During this week, the profession of economic development and the professionals that work to create opportunity for all citizens and communities within the corridor will be highlighted through a social media campaign using #CorridorEDWeek to be shared on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. We encourage you to keep informed, stay connected, and get involved in of all of the amazing things happening within Iowa's Creative Corridor. The collaboration between the regions' economic development teams will ensure that the Corridor attracts new business and retains and supports existing businesses.

The following Corridor economic development organizations are participating in National Economic Development Week and are using #CorridorEDWeek to share their news during May 8-14, 2016:

Benton Development Group, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD), Iowa County Economic Development, Jones County Economic Development, Marion Economic Development Corp (MEDCO), Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG).

' Nanci Young is Director of Strategic Engagement for the Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO)