North Iowa Reporter

The Waverly City Council heard a special presentation from one of its partner economic development organizations during the council's Jan. 16 meeting.

Cary Darrah, president and CEO of Grow Cedar Valley, gave an update on its projects and plans for the council's consideration as the City prepares its fiscal budget. Grow Cedar Valley is a regional economic development partnership that works with municipalities to facilitate growth. Darrah noted that Waverly has long had a relationship with Grow Cedar Valley, both in working with them and supporting them financially.

"Just so you know, that while we haven't been here in front of you very often, we have been very busy with a lot of your partners over the years," Darrah said in the meeting. "Each year, we also welcome a handful of participants from Waverly at our Cedar Valley Leadership Institute. Your area employers send those folks through each year, usually CUNA Mutual Group and a couple of other Waverly employers, send their emerging leader employees through the institute."

Darrah mentioned that Waterloo and Cedar Falls had applied for a Destination Iowa Grant for a river project that aims to connect downtown Cedar Falls and downtown Waterloo. She added that the "narrative of the grant" was to "go north up to Waverly and south down towards the Port City and Gilbertville."

Lisa Skubal, director of Economic Development for Grow Cedar Valley, told the council that the organization contributes $12,500 to regional initiatives, which is allocated by population size. She also discussed the publishing of the Live the Valley website, which includes a cost-of-living calculator so people can compare the cost of living in Cedar Valley to other areas of the country. Additionally, the group added a job board, which it is looking to expand; and they are completing a wage assessment study for the area using local grants from partnering companies so that all local businesses can have access to that data.

Workforce coordinator Stephanie Detweiler also discussed the Live the Valley campaign, saying it helps create a healthy, diverse workforce. She added that the biggest employment issues in the area are finding good candidates and retaining them; so Live the Valley's aim is to connect jobs with potential candidates, especially those looking to move from outside the area.