Cedar Crossing will support community

As the CEO of World Class Industries, the chair of the Zach Johnson Foundation, and a longtime Cedar Rapids resident, I am compelled to express my enthusiastic support for the Cedar Crossing Casino project. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for our community.

For businesses like World Class Industries, attracting and retaining top-tier talent requires more than competitive wages — it requires offering a lively community with high-quality amenities. Cedar Crossing Casino would not only enhance our city’s entertainment and hospitality options but also serve as a magnet for professionals seeking dynamic places to live and work. For employers across Cedar Rapids, this development is an important step in making our city more competitive on a national scale.

I am equally inspired by the casino’s significant pledge to contribute 8% of its adjusted gross revenue to local nonprofits. This commitment will provide critical funding to organizations like ours, enabling us to expand programs that serve local families and youth. Few projects offer such a direct and substantial benefit to our community’s most vulnerable.

Finally, as a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, I believe this project symbolizes a bold investment in our future. Cedar Crossing Casino will create jobs, generate tax revenue, and strengthen our community. I urge members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, local leaders and fellow residents to support this opportunity to move Cedar Rapids forward.

Brent Cobb

CEO, World Class Industries

Chair, Zach Johnson Foundation

Cedar Rapids