Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Business Notes for Aug. 16, 2026

August 16, 2026 - 16:39

This week's roundup of business activity across Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and surrounding areas includes a mix of leadership changes, new certifications, and upcoming community events.

At the University of Iowa, the Tippie College of Business announced the appointment of Dr. Elena Marsh as the new director of its Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. Dr. Marsh comes from a similar role at Kansas State University and will begin her duties on September 1. She is expected to focus on expanding partnerships with local startups and increasing student access to venture funding.

In Cedar Rapids, the engineering firm Hodge & Associates has earned a new state-level certification for sustainable building design. The certification allows the firm to lead projects that meet stricter environmental standards, which managing partner Tom Reiner says will help attract clients looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The firm has already been hired for a renovation project at the downtown public library.

On the personnel front, the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce has hired two new staff members. Sarah Nguyen joins as the events coordinator, bringing experience from the Des Moines Arts Festival. Marcus Bell has been named the chamber's new membership outreach specialist, a role that will have him visiting local businesses across Johnson County.

Several smaller businesses are marking milestones. The family-owned bakery Sweet Rise on Linn Street in Iowa City is celebrating its tenth anniversary this weekend with a customer appreciation sale. Meanwhile, a new coffee shop called Northside Roasters has opened its doors in the North Liberty area, offering a small-batch roasting menu and a dedicated workspace for remote employees.

Looking ahead, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance will host its monthly networking breakfast on August 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel. The featured speaker will be a regional economist discussing workforce trends. Also, the Iowa City Downtown District has set the date for its fall sidewalk sale, which will run from September 12 through September 14. Local retailers are still being accepted to participate.