Metro Economic Alliance adds new position to fill local jobs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa says employment is expected to increase by almost 13% during this decade, creating almost a quarter million new jobs by 2030. But employers are already finding it a challenge filling the job openings of today. Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha are trying to fill a job that could help fill all those other jobs.

The Mayors of Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha say the biggest problem they see is workforce development. Right now, 2,800 people work in the Cedar Rapids school districts. From administrators to teachers and support staff but more are needed.

Marion, Hiawatha, and Cedar Rapids businesses are also seeing what happens when there are not enough people to fill jobs. Mayor Tiffany O’ Donnell says great companies in this community are turning down business because they don’t have enough people to do the work.

The Metro Economic Alliance is looking to hire a Talent Attraction Director to help market the area, find quality job candidates and then connect them to employers. Mayor O’Donnell also says public and private support from businesses is essential to carry out this new initiative from the Metro Economic Alliance.

Doug Neumann says growing the metro area is a slow process and so will be filling this position. This new position will not work alone. The Metro Economic Alliance says it will create a workforce Innovation Council of area business leaders who will help develop strategies to grow the area.

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