Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance outlines job wins and recruitment programs; Linn County approves rural economic development director vacancy
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Summary
Juliet Abdel of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance briefed the Linn County Board about recent business activity, workforce initiatives that attracted 15 new households and a trailing‑spouse program, and regional recruitment; the board approved a vacancy form to create a rural economic development director funded from an unfilled public health position.
Juliet Abdel, president and CEO of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, told the Linn County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 19 that the organization has worked to recruit businesses and support workforce development across Linn County and neighboring communities. Abdel said the Alliance responded to more than 70 requests for information and currently has "over 26 active projects in our pipeline" for expansion, relocation or attraction.
Abdel and Ron Corbett, the Alliance vice president of economic development, detailed a mix of recent private‑sector changes and new opportunities. Abdel said several recent permanent closures removed about 200 jobs from the local market — 50 jobs at RELCO, 46 at an online retailer reported as BHFO, and about 100 jobs tied to former Longview Fiber (now West Rock/Smurfit). She added that Ingredion is expanding starch capacity and building a new dryer that will consume an extra "20,000 bushels of corn on a daily basis," and that a company identified as Sub 0 along U.S. 380 expects to hire "multiple hundreds" of employees in early hiring phases.
Abdel highlighted a pilot recruiting program launched in late July that she said met its goal in about three months: "we already hit our 15 new movers that have come to the community," she said, adding the program screened applicants and yielded households with an average income of $167,300. The Alliance also described a "trailing spouse" program to help partners of new recruits find local employment, which Abdel said has already led to placements in area hospitals.
The board discussed improving county–Alliance communication around community events and business openings. Several supervisors thanked Corbett for prior campaign work and praised the Alliance's role in public policy advocacy, including lobbying on tariffs and federal engagement.
Later in the meeting the board approved a vacancy form to create a Rural Economic Development Director in the Board of Supervisors office. Lisa Powell, the county HR director, said the position would focus on strategic leadership for large‑scale projects (data centers, power facilities, related infrastructure) and act as a technical advisor to smaller municipalities, "not to do their work, but to provide expert guidance." Powell said funding will come primarily from an unfilled public health position rather than additional general fund dollars; she added that exact salary and any initial funding differences for the new grade were "unknown at this time."
Chair moved to approve the vacancy form and the board carried the motion by voice vote. Supporters said the timing is driven by multiple large, potentially multibillion‑dollar projects in or near the county and the need for a dedicated point person. Opponents did not register a formal vote against the measure during the session.
