ICAD Group Hosts Breakfast with Governor and Lt. Governor

Visit Included Meeting with Interstate Commerce Companies Announcing Expansions

Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds met with representatives from the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group, the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, and local business executives over breakfast Thursday to discuss expansion plans for four interstate commerce companies in the Iowa City/Coralville area.

“Our clients are helping shape the future of employment and industry in Eastern Iowa through innovation and strategic growth and we are fortunate that the Governor and Lieutenant Governor could attend this breakfast before their town hall meeting today,” said Joe Raso, ICAD Group President. 

Companies attending the breakfast included CIVCO, Innovative Software Engineering (ISE), and Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT).  All three companies have publicly announced expansion plans: CIVCO will open a new $1.1 million office in Coralville, ISE is doubling the size of their operation into a new, 11,000 square foot building, and IDT has announced a $2.5 million expansion of their facility.

MetaCommunications, which was invited but could not attend the meeting, is adding twenty-four jobs to their office in Iowa City.

“Much of the conversation focused on the future of emerging and existing companies in Iowa,” added Raso.  “The governor and lieutenant governor agree that the entire state benefits from a balanced portfolio of companies, both small and large, that embrace creativity and innovation.”

The governor and lieutenant governor are visiting Iowa City as part of their statewide tour to discuss economic development and job growth.