Economic Development

icdd Diners from a past Farm to Street Dinner raise their glasses in a toast.

Iowa City Downtown District creates new economic development role

The Iowa City Downtown District is looking to hire its first-ever director of economic vitality, a newly created leadership position aimed at guiding business attraction, retention and long-term economic growth strategies for the downtown core. The organization announced the position…

Heartland Forward chooses Greater IC for investment initiative

Greater Iowa City, Inc. has been selected by Heartland Forward’s Center for Investment Readiness, a…

Heartland Forward logo

Event center proposed for Tiffin’s Park Place development

A proposed event center for the city of Tiffin passed its first hurdle on Tuesday,…

A rendering of the event center proposed for the city of Tiffin.

Greater Iowa City discusses data insights, strategic initiatives at 2025 annual meeting

When the Iowa City Area Development Group and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership merged…

Greater Iowa City, Inc. President and CEO Nancy Bird takes the podium at the organization's annual meeting Nov. 20 at the Hyatt Regency Coralville, highlighting Greater IC's economic development efforts over the past year.

Iowa City’s Downtown SSMID passes first hurdle for renewal

The Iowa City City Council passed a first consideration at its meeting Nov. 18 for…

Pedestrians line the sidewalk on E. Iowa Avenue in Iowa City.

Washington receives $100,000 grant to rehabilitate fire-damaged historic downtown building

Ten Iowa communities will receive Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants totaling $950,000 to rehabilitate underutilized…

(From left) Carol Lilly, state coordinator with Main Street Iowa; Main Street Washington committee member Sally Hart; building owner of 115-117 N Iowa Ave. Luke Leyden; Samantha Meyer, Main Street Washington's executive director; and Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority.

Washington to host First Impressions Community Forum Nov. 17

Washington residents and business leaders will soon have the chance to learn how their community…

Attendees listen to a speaker

North Liberty’s Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheater opens doors

Following more than a decade of planning, the $10 million, 13,000-square-foot Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheater…

Crosspark Road Hy-Vee District Store Director Elise Scheil and North Liberty Mayor Chris Hoffman, center, prepare to cut the ribbon to the new Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheater Oct. 21.

City of Coralville OKs final plat for Gather Iowa’s first addition

Gather Iowa, a mixed-use development planned for Coralville’s southeast commercial district, made progress Sept. 23…

A rendering of Gather Iowa, a 10-acre mixed-use development project planned for Coralville’s southeast commercial district.

City of Anamosa in final phase of downtown revitalization efforts

The city of Anamosa lies at the confluence of the Wapsipinicon River and Buffalo Creek,…

A painter on an extension ladder works on a second story building facade in downtown Anamosa on July 8, 2025.

Proposed Alliant power plant near airport raises concerns

The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission is expressing safety and proximity concerns about an Alliant Energy…

Alliant power plant proposed location

Greater IC’s Strategic Investment District planning moves forward with help from Community Foundation of Johnson County

Greater Iowa City, Inc., with support from the Community Foundation of Johnson County (CFJC), is…

Participants pore over a map at a charette session for Coralville's Strategic Investment District.

Linn County accepting applications for economic development grants

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for its annual Economic and…

The Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center in Cedar Rapids

Eastern Iowa business and civic leaders unite in D.C. for annual Fly-In

Business and civic leaders from across the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City corridor traveled to…

Economic and civic leaders from the Iowa Corridor pose with Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks during the D.C. Fly-In.

Johnson County accepting applications for Economic Development, Quality of Life grants

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has opened applications for Economic Development and Quality of…

johnson county logo

Marion celebrates completion of Central Plaza with ribbon cutting

Ominous thunderheads bearing the threat of rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd gathered…

Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly (center) cuts the ribbon signifying the completion of Marion's Central Plaza project on Wednesday, May 7.