Richard Pratt's stories

Airport commissioner: ‘We feel blindsided’ by Alliant power plant proposal
The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission and Alliant Energy representatives shared starkly different perspectives Tuesday morning at a meeting to discuss Alliant’s proposal to site a new natural gas-fired power plant just a few miles west of the Eastern Iowa Airport.…
Prouty leaving as Uptown Marion Main Street director
Uptown Marion Main Street director Brooke Prouty is leaving her position for a new role…

John Deere economist: High interest rates likely to persist, but economy should see ‘soft landing,’ not recession
As Kanlaya Barr sees it, analyzing the current and future prospects for the economy, both…

Decision on Linn County gaming application expected Feb. 6
Linn County casino supporters will learn the fate of their gaming license application at a…

Aroma Artisan Pizza planning second location at Kingston Yard
What began as a family hobby turned into a full-time venture seven years ago for…

Commission to launch latest review of Linn County casino application
Now that a two-year moratorium on consideration of new gaming licenses in Iowa has expired,…

Linn County Gaming, Peninsula Pacific to again seek gaming license for Cedar Rapids casino
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and the Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA) announced Wednesday they will…

Cedar Rapids school board approves sale of former Garfield, Arthur schools
The now-former Garfield and Arthur elementary schools in northeast Cedar Rapids officially have new owners.…

Site work finally under way on Dows Farm ‘agri-community’ project
After a series of procedural delays and setbacks, work on the Dows Farm “Agri-Community” project…

Leaders: Eastern Iowa Airport success depends on continuing usage
The post-COVID years have seen substantial success at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), with ever-increasing…

Cedar Rapids council advances projects for proposed Google data center
A pair of initiatives advanced by the Cedar Rapids City Council this week are helping…

2024 Entrepreneurs of the Year: Oasis Falafel driven by entrepreneurial spirit
The founding of Oasis Falafel in 2004 came at a key turning point in the…

Cedar Rapids leaders: Greenway Parks Plan will expand amenities, provide economic boost
Cedar Rapids leaders say the city’s Greenway Parks Plan will not only provide a vital…

Cedar Rapids mayor asks in 2024 State of the City address: ‘What Is Your Why?’
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell chose a short but impactful quote from author Simon Sinek to encapsulate…

Hy-Vee announces initiatives to help residents impacted by First Avenue store closure
Hy-Vee officials have heard the concerns about the upcoming closure of the Hy-Vee store on…

SBA presents award to Cedar Rapids as Small Business Community of the Year
Leaders from the Small Business Administration gathered with Cedar Rapids officials May 17 to formally…
