Iowa Flooding
On July 8 and 9, 2008, BCLC sent a team of economic development experts to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to assess the impact of the area's severe flooding. The team, which was led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and paid in-part by generous donations from the Office Depot and UPS Foundations, had three major goals. They were to:
- Determine the flood's impact in the Cedar Rapids area
- Assess local capacity for recovery
- Uncover recovery gaps and ways for corporate citizens to help
The team concluded that the following opportunities will expedite the recovery in Cedar Rapids:
Job and Small Business Recovery Fund
Organizer: The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and Cedar Rapids Chamber Commerce
Summary: This local program is ideal for small businesses that cannot or do not want to take on more debt. The fund provides grants and forgivable loans to small businesses affected by the floods. The assessment team also recommends that all applications go to a formal review committee staffed by professionals, such as bankers, with lending and underwriting experience.
Need: Funding. Skills Based Volunteer opportunity for underwriting professionals.
Contact: Karla Twedt-Ball
Community Resource Center
Organizer: Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Summary: A long term version of SBA's Disaster Recovery Centers. The types of services and information that the Resource Center could provide include: city rebuilding requirements, inspection requirements, lists of state licensed contractors, information regarding how to select and pay a contractor, how to work with insurance companies, local, state and federal government assistance programs, etc.
Need: Funding. Technical Expertise
Contact: Lee Clancey, CEO, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Business Database
Summary: The database would include all organizations that play an integral role in the local, regional and state's economy. It would identify impacted businesses and their needs, and quantify the overall economic impact of the flood. It can also be used to facilitate and educate the business community on economic and workforce development initiatives.
Need: Funding. Technical Expertise
Contact: Lee Clancey, CEO, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Cultural Funders Collaborative
Summary: This umbrella organization would oversee fundraising, and leverage both community and external resources to build back the cultural sector in Cedar Rapids. Many businesses stated that the wealth of cultural institutions and facilities in Cedar Rapids were significant contributors to the city's excellent "quality of life.
Need: Funding. Leadership.
Contact: David Blankenship, Aegon USA
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