The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance (CRMEA) and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership (ICABP) are urging Iowa governmental officials to pass workforce-friendly legislation, as part of 40 policy recommendations announced at the 2023 Legislative Launch. Hosted at Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, the night’s audience consisted of influential business leaders and elected officials across […]
Already a subscriber? Log in
Want to Read More?
Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more.
Learn more in our subscriber FAQ.
- Unparalleled business coverage of the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids corridor.
- Immediate access to subscriber-only content on our website.
- 26 issues per year delivered digitally, in print or both.
- Support locally owned and operated journalism.
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance (CRMEA) and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership (ICABP) are urging Iowa governmental officials to pass workforce-friendly legislation, as part of 40 policy recommendations announced at the 2023 Legislative Launch.
Hosted at Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, the night's audience consisted of influential business leaders and elected officials across the Corridor and the state. It is the fifth annual Legislative Launch event.
"We intend to concentrate on workforce population growth policies that address immigration, affordable and available housing stock, increase apprenticeships, address childcare, invest in automation, in addition to supply chain product availability to keep costs down for businesses and consumers," said Kim Casko, ICABP President and CEO, in a statement.
While several of the individual polices are different from the 2022 Legislative Launch priorities, the six overarching themes are the same.
"It's typical that the broad priorities don't change," said CRMEA Executive Director Doug Neumann. "We're trying to drive community growth, economic growth, workforce growth and the way to do that doesn't change a lot from year to year. What changes is some of the tactics, some of the strategies."
The six themes are:
- Welcome workers from all populations
- Enhance community attraction efforts and livability efforts
- Regain educational leader status and invest in the future workforce
- Close the opportunity gap and end barriers to employment
- Embrace solutions utilizing technology and natural resources
- Promote and incentivize business growth.