Metro Economic Alliance visits Iowa County

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and president and chief executive officer Juliet Abdel visited Williamsburg and Marengo Sept. 24 as part of a listening tour across Eastern Iowa.

In her first few months with the Economic Alliance president and CEO, Abdel has been meeting with community leaders, business owners, and local organizations to strengthen partnerships and align around shared economic development and public policy priorities, according to a press release from the organization.

The visit included conversations with members and board leadership from the Iowa County Community Development and focused on opportunities for growth, addressing regional challenges.

In attendence for Iowa County Community Development were Kristie Wetjen, president, general manager for for Watts Group in Iowa City; Laura-Sue Woods, vice president, human resource director for Amana Society; Karla Marck, secretary, city administrator and city clerk for the City of Marengo; and Aaron Sandersfeld, city manager for the City of Williamsburg.

Also attending were Community Development board members Grayson Jones, president of Farmers Trust & Savings Bank in Williamsburg; Trent Forrest, owner of Elite Marketing Group in Marengo and Main Street Pub and Grub in North English; Scott Schabacker, manager of CTC Fiber in Victor; Phil Brecht, owner of Blackwall Fitness in Marengo; and Peter Griffin, Alliant Energy account manager.

The regional listening tour reflects the Economic Alliance’s commitment to connecting communities across the Greater Cedar Rapids region, while continuing to work in partnership with local leaders to advance shared priorities, the press release says.

The tour, a priority for Abdel and her team, will continue through the first 100 days in her new role, the press release says.

Visit cedarrapids.org for more information about Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.