Cedar Rapids is business-friendly and rewards investments

Economic development in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has a longstanding reputation as a strong, supportive business environment, with community leaders whose flexible and supportive attitudes have helped local companies succeed. That’s why we’ve long been a hotbed for innovative entrepreneurs and an ideal location for companies from small businesses to global enterprises. (The fact that our municipal government is known for fiscal responsibility and predictable taxes helps, too.)

Local leaders work closely with Linn County and the State of Iowa to streamline processes and permitting, and to create incentive programs that reward companies for making investments. Depending upon a company’s specific needs and plans, available programs include small business assistance, EB-5, tax increment financing (TIF), workforce training programs, redevelopment tax credits, innovation funding, corporate tax credits, research activities credits, and other business incentives. State programs such as the Iowa Apprenticeship Program and the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program help companies prepare workers to meet their needs.

We’re proud of our innovative approaches. For example, we have several Revolving Loan Funds and micro loans that give entrepreneurs and small businesses access to the capital they need to expand and offer new services. And Iowa offers a Renewable Chemicals Production Tax Credit program -- the first of its kind in the nation -- that supports the development of biomass as feedstocks for renewable chemical production.

City and Local Incentives for Cedar Rapids Businesses

Cedar Rapids Economic Development Services staff will work with you to find economic development program options that fit your specific needs.

Visit the links below to learn more about each of these programs

• City of Cedar Rapids Economic Development Program Term Sheet
• Cedar Rapids Economic Development Program Application
• Linn County REC Incentives
• State of Iowa Taxes-Incentives-Assistance
• Iowa New Jobs Training Program
• MidAmerican Energy Commercial Construction Incentives
• MidAmerican Energy Efficiency Incentives
• ECICOG Revolving Loan Fund
• Micro Loan Program

City of Cedar Rapids Economic Development Partners

We proudly collaborate with many economic development partners to expand the number of support services available locally.

Visit the links below to learn more about each of these programs

• Alliant Energy Economic Development
• Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
• Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street
• Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) Inc.
• Iowa Workforce Development
• Kirkwood Community College
• Kirkwood Small Business Development Center
• NewBoCo

City of Cedar Rapids Information

City of Cedar Rapids staff are available to help you find a way to make your project a reality.

Visit the links below to learn more about each of these programs

• Cedar Rapids Code of Ordinances
• Cedar River Flood Control System
• Charter of the City of Cedar Rapids
• Licenses, Permits, and Taxes
• City Economic Development Incentive Term Sheet
• Opportunity Zones 
• Community Development
• EnvisionCR

Iowa Economic Development

Projects locating in Cedar Rapids benefit from strong local to state level connections.

Visit the links below to learn more about each of these program

• Iowa Economic Development Authority
• State of Iowa International Business Assistance

City Development Process

Whether building or leasing, the City of Cedar Rapids is your development partner.

Visit the links below to learn more about each of these programs

• Development Services Department
• Building Services Department
• City-Owned Property -- Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Utilities Department