Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor Targeting Potential Workforce Through YouTube

Asking Area's Help to Promote the Corridor on 11/24

The Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group is asking for the public's help to "Promote the Corridor on 11/24."  A video promoting the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor was posted on YouTube at the end of October.  The goal is to acquire 1,000,000 views in a 24 hour period on November 24th.

"We picked the week of Thanksgiving because we knew area residents would be communicating with friends and family," said Joe Raso, ICAD Group President.  "We are asking everyone in the Corridor to e-mail links of our video to business contacts, family and friends to show what the Corridor has to offer.  The biggest challenge ahead for ICAD Group and the entire Corridor area is attracting qualified candidates to the region.  We continue to communicate and market to in-state grads, but must extend our reach nationally and internationally."

ICAD Group developed a two minute and thirty-second video this summer which showcases opportunities in the Corridor.  Viewers will quickly see what the area has to offer in terms of employment, education, quality of life, recreation and more.  The video ends with information about CorridorCareers.com.

Raso says ICAD Group, in partnership with Priority One and Gazette Communication's CorridorCareers.com, has developed a systematic approach to identifying workforce prospects.  "Through reports such as Skills 2010 and Minding Our Own Businesses, we are able to forecast areas for employment growth in the Corridor."  To assist Corridor companies fill ongoing workforce needs, all three organizations actively market the area through career fairs, targeted e-mail marketing, and alumni marketing to regional, national, and international workforce talent.

"Online marketing is just another avenue to reach out and showcase the often unexpected jobs, careers, and lifestyle in the Corridor."

A link to the YouTube video and HTML coding is included at the end of this release.  ICAD Group is requesting area media outlets between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City embed the video on their websites for the week of November 24 – November 30^th.

About Iowa City Area Development Group

Formed in 1984, the Iowa City Area Development Group is a private, non-profit economic development organization serving the business development needs of primary sector companies in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, Tiffin, Tipton the Amana Colonies, West Branch, Kalona, West Liberty, and Johnson County.  The organization works to connect businesses with federal, state, and local resources to enhance and simulate area economic growth through business retention, expansion and attraction efforts, and advocates on behalf of the area’s workforce.

New Website

The Iowa City Area Development Group launched a new version of its website www.iowacityareadevelopment.com today.  The video is located in the "Living Here" section. 

Contact Information

Joe Raso, President ICAD Group, (319) 354-3939, jraso@iowacityareadevelopment.com