Blog - Grow Cedar Valley

February Friday Forum with Representative Chad Ingels

posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in Government Affairs

The February Friday Forum featured a discussion with Representative Chad Ingels. He represents the mostly rural northeast half of Black Hawk County, along with parts of Fayette and Buchanan Counties. Before running for the Legislature, he served on his local school board for 20 years. Now in his fifth year in office, he chairs the Administrative Rules Review Committee and serves on the Education, Health and Human Services, Labor and Workforce, and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Announcing Our 2025 Sponsored Investors!

posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in Grow Cedar Valley

Grow Cedar Valley is excited to welcome 27 small businesses, nonprofits, and start-ups as our 2025 Sponsored Investors! This initiative supports businesses in the Cedar Valley by providing a year of membership, networking opportunities, and resources to help them grow and succeed.

Measuring Growth and Progress in the Cedar Valley

posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in Economic Development

Over the past year, Grow Cedar Valley has worked to attract and support businesses, create opportunities for residents and ensure that local communities are well-positioned for long-term success. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to economic development that benefits businesses, workers, and families alike. A recent report, prepared by Impact DataSource, provides a detailed analysis of the outcomes achieved through these efforts.

The 91st General Assembly Now In Session

posted on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in Government Affairs

The 91st General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature began earlier this week, kicking off the 2025 session. The first week primarily focuses on tradition and formalities. Newly elected members took their oaths of office, party leaders delivered opening remarks, and Governor Kim Reynolds presented the Condition of the State Address.

January CVLI: Political Leadership & Media Relations

posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in Grow Cedar Valley

The January CVLI session held at KWWL focused on political leadership and media relations, offering the 2024-25 class an engaging look at how government and media work together to shape community engagement.

CVLI Multicultural Tour

posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Grow Cedar Valley

The December CVLI session offered the 2024-25 class an in-depth exploration of the Cedar Valley's diverse cultural, historical, and social landscapes.

A Simple Way to Support Our Community

posted on Monday, December 16, 2024 in Communications

We've all heard the phrase “shop local,” but how often do we think about the real impact it has on our community? In today's fast-paced world, convenience often takes priority, and it's easy to overlook the businesses that shape the Cedar Valley's identity and economy.

Update on the Corporate Transparency Act: What Cedar Valley Businesses Need to Know

posted on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in Blog

Small businesses across the Cedar Valley and the nation have been following developments regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its potential impact. Originally enacted in January 2024, the CTA introduced new requirements for businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury. However, a recent federal court ruling has brought this requirement to a halt, at least for now.

Understanding Property Taxes in Iowa: A Simplified Overview

posted on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in Government Affairs

Property taxes in Iowa play a significant role in the financial health of property owners, local governments, and communities. Recent changes in property values, legislative actions, and tax rates have highlighted the complexities of the system and its impact on stakeholders. With property assessments rising significantly since 2021, and new laws limiting local government revenue, understanding how these changes interact is essential.

Shop Local. Shop the Cedar Valley.

posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in Live the Valley

This holiday season, Live the Valley is encouraging everyone to get out, explore, and support local businesses across the Cedar Valley. We've scattered 600 festive shopping bags throughout downtown shops in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, with some bags hiding surprise gift cards worth up to $100! Here's the fun part: find a bag in Waterloo, and you might score a gift card for Cedar Falls, or the other way around! Ready to discover what's waiting just across the way? Read the full story in the blog.