Richard Pratt's stories

QTS data center campus Cedar Rapids

Scope of QTS data project in Cedar Rapids continuing to grow

The estimated economic scope of the Quality Technology Services (QTS) data center project in southwest Cedar Rapids continues to grow. Scott Mather, the city’s economic development coordinator, presented amended and restated development agreements for the QTS data centers to the…

Fairfax officials hear details of proposed Alliant gas-fired power plant

Attendees of a Fairfax City Council meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 9 offered decidedly mixed perspectives…

Alliant Energy typical combined cycle natural gas power plant

Tenth Kwik Star in Cedar Rapids area set to open in early 2026

Kwik Star plans to open its tenth Cedar Rapids area location early next year at…

New Cedar Rapids Kwik Star

Positive workforce culture requires intentional approach, Manufacturing Conference panelists emphasize

Developing and maintaining a positive workforce culture doesn’t just happen – it requires an intentional…

Manufacturing Conference 2025 Corporate Culture panelists

Linn County nuclear zoning ordinance gets final OK from supervisors

Linn County’s nuclear energy zoning code ordinance will soon be law, making it one of…

Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear

MakeMyMove campaign draws first participant to Cedar Rapids area – and more on the way

The Collaborative Growth Initiative, a workforce recruitment effort by the cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion…

Jodi Schafer Collaborative Growth Initiative MakeMyMove

Iowa City wagyu ranch establishing national reputation, genetic excellence

Sarah Bailey and Kyle Schuchmann of Jiyu American Wagyu talk about the genetics of Wagyu…

A full-blood Wagyu is shown at one of Jiyu American Wagyu’s farms. CREDIT RICHARD PRATT

Federal agency grants waiver to propel potential Duane Arnold restart

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a waiver request from NextEra Duane Arnold…

Duane Arnold Energy Center

New Eastern Iowa Health Care pharmacy grand opening represents latest expansion of its mission

The grand opening of the Eastern Iowa Health Center’s new pharmacy is about more than…

Joe Lock Juliet Abdel Sami Scheetz Eastern Iowa Health Center pharmacy grand opening

Linn supervisors approve first reading of nuclear energy zoning amendment

Linn County supervisors voted unanimously Monday to approve the first reading of a new county…

Kirsten Running-Marquardt nuclear zoning amendment

Hiawatha leaders celebrate city’s past, future at State of the City event

Most towns like to claim they’re experiencing dramatic growth, but Hiawatha Mayor Steve Dodson found…

Hiawatha mayor Steve Dodson State of the City

Council member Todd at LightLine groundbreaking: Project will restore ‘circle of life’

Cedar Rapids City Council member Dale Todd borrowed a trope from a classic Disney movie…

Dale Todd LightLine Loop groundbreaking

Renewable energy is big in Iowa, but can growth continue?

In the past decade, renewable energy production has surged across the United States, a trend…

This 86.1-kilowatt solar array, located on the Wernimont farm near Peosta, was installed by Eagle Point Solar in 2022. CREDIT EAGLE POINT SOLAR

WITH GALLERY: Cedar Rapids leaders dedicate latest flood protection project near Czech Village

Flood protection for the west side of Cedar Rapids has taken a significant step forward,…

Cedar River flood protection pump station

Cedar Rapids leaders reflect on 2020 derecho at five-year commemoration ceremony

The August 2020 derecho inflicted billions of dollars in damage across the Midwest, including a…

Cedar Rapids derecho tree planting

Ingredion hosts groundbreaking ceremony for $50 million Cedar Rapids expansion

Ingredion leaders and government officials took an opportunity Wednesday, at a groundbreaking ceremony in Cedar…

Ingredion plant manager Patrick Small