Greater Iowa City, Inc. strives to build off 120-year chamber history
The Iowa City corridor just got a little greater.
The Transition Executive Board of the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership (Business Partnership) recently revealed an all-encompassing name for the future − Greater Iowa City, Inc. or Greater IC.
The Iowa City Area Business Partnership and ICAD merged in July with a strategic plan to support businesses in the Greater Iowa City area and within Johnson County, maintaining the same goals of both organizations but with a different approach. The Iowa City Area Business Partnership is the former local chamber of commerce. The original Iowa City chamber boasts more than 120 years of stability, first opening in 1901.
Nancy Bird was hired as Greater Iowa City, Inc.’s president and CEO in June. She is tasked with supporting local companies, guiding community investment, and growing a local economy through a network of businesses and local leaders. Bird spent 10 years as executive director of Iowa City's Downtown District before joining the new entity.
“We are looking at an entirely new way to organize, share information, support businesses, collaborate with government, and invest locally," Bird said in a release. "We are asking businesses to invest in themselves as a network to help effectively support a stronger business ecosystem. We need to be pushing dollars out into Johnson County to support retention, workforce initiatives, and a long-term strategy for a resilient economy and community."
Bird is a Washington, Iowa native and is a graduate of Drake University. She lived in Seattle, Washington for 14 years, holding a position as a government consultant before taking a role in Seattle’s Office of Economic Development.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a need to unify the Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty business communities, leading to Project Better Together, which employs methods to support Johnson County residents. Better Together 2030 Community Development Corporation was born to push forward and build on momentum. Its "All In Vision plan" became the backdrop of the ICAD and Business Partnership’s merger.
Looking to the future
Greater IC will push to provide open access for all small or emerging businesses in the Iowa City area, serving every business as a member of the organization. They'll also develop new business councils to guide and oversee its work.
Transition Executive Board Chair Robin Therme has been vital in helping push Greater Iowa City into the future, hoping to build partnerships with businesses and the University of Iowa.
“This direction is going to pull greater Iowa City together in ways we haven’t been able to tap before. We’re already fortunate to have committed investment from our local jurisdictions and the University of Iowa, setting us up to collaborate,” Therme said in a release. “Through the inclusive membership model and business councils, we can develop a better system for the voice of businesses to be at the table and to support an inclusive economy.”
Greater IC will hold its first meeting on Nov. 15 by launching an investment campaign with a goal of $2.5 million. The gathering will be held at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center, which will detail future plans and offer additional investment and leadership opportunities.
For ticket information, visit iowacityarea.com or iowacityareadevelopment.com.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@presscitizen.com.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Introducing Greater Iowa City, Inc., supporting the business community
