The Ground Floor: Human resource business specializes in welcoming employees to Corridor

HIAWATHA - After nearly a year in operation, a new business owner has attempted to create her own niche in the Corridor, while continuing services offered by a recently vacated human resource business.

After Management Resource Group (MRG) packed up its Hiawatha location in December 2015 to operate out of its headquarters in Davenport, Jennifer Lawrence decided to continue the business locally. She rebranded it Corridor HR Solutions, which opened its doors in Hiawatha on Jan. 1.

The business is operated by two paid employees - Lawrence and Andrea Wagner, both of whom consult with clients. They work in a rented space a few doors down from the previous MRG office.

Corridor HR Solutions, which specializes in career transition services, is hired by companies throughout the Corridor to help their employees with starting or loosing a job.

'Our niche is helping with transition, helping businesses help their employees with transition,” Lawrence said.

For this transition, Lawrence's business offers assistance in partner relocation, various outplacement services as well as whatever personal situation a client brings to the table. For example, Lawrence said she can work on brushing up a resume or help a family find a place of worship.

Corridor HR Solutions also recently trademarked and launched a program previously offered by MRG called Connect2Community, which is designed to retain new employees by helping their families or trailing partners find their place in the community.

'Connect2Community was an idea that companies spend a lot of time and money trying to find people, and oftentimes the reason they leave is because someone at home wasn't happy,” Lawrence said. 'Maybe they didn't find the job that they wanted or maybe their kids didn't get into the right school for them.”

While business wish to help retain these employees, Lawrence said most of the time employees don't want their employer to be involved in their personal life.

'It's not (the employer's) job to help you find friends or your new watering hole or new activities or whatever that is,” Lawrence said. 'And so it's really to fill that gap.”

l Know a business that would be ideal for 'The Ground Floor”? Contact Michael Chevy Castranova at michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com.

At a glance

l Business: Corridor HR Solutions

l Owner: Jennifer Lawrence

l Address: 1450 Boyson Rd., Suite B-8, Hiawatha

l Phone: (319) 393-1134

l Website: corridorhrsolutions.com