The "City of Five Season," Cedar Rapids is located about 45 minutes north of Iowa City and 125 miles northeast of Des Moines. As the county seat of Linn County, Cedar Rapids serves as the regional hub of Eastern Iowa due to its proximity to several large metropolitan areas and major interstate highways. Those moving to Cedar Rapids will find an exciting destination.
History:
A survey was made in 1841 and the newly formed town was named Rapids City. The name was changed to Cedar Rapids in 1848. The economic growth of Cedar Rapids was spurred in 1871 with the arrival of T. M. Sinclair, who established one of the nation's largest meatpacking companies. Cultural development was simultaneous with economic expansion, as many Cedar Rapids arts and educational institutions were formed during this period. Private enterprise, a principal force in the city's economic history, continued to be important during the first half of the 20th century. Another Cedar Rapids native, Arthur Collins, started Collins Radio Company with eight employees during the Great Depression. The small electronics firm soon established a reputation as a leader in the industrial radio business. The company supplied electronic equipment to all branches of the armed services during World War II. Today, the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area is a telecommunications and transportation center, performing an important role in the nation's economy. The city has also developed a reputation as a cultural and artistic hub, with a thriving theater community and a wealth of sports and recreational activities for all.
Economy:
The economy of Cedar Rapids has traditionally been based on the manufacture and processing of agricultural and food products, insurance, steel fabricating, tool and die making and radios and electronics. Manufacturing, which continues to be an important economic sector, has been augmented by high-technology industries and transportation. The fastest-growing segment of the metropolitan area economy is telecommunications and telemarketing. Advanced research and development laboratories, an educated and productive labor force, and a mid-continent location are increasingly attracting new business and industry to Cedar Rapids. In recent years, a number of local public and private organizations joined to help develop the "Technology Corridor." Its location near a number of colleges and universities enables Corridor companies easily access to education, training, research and development. While Cedar Rapids has seen tremendous growth in technology, the city continues to succeed in attracting agricultural and food processing manufacturers. It is home to more than 275 different manufacturing plants, including Quaker Food and Beverages, which runs the world's largest cereal milling plant. With an educated, available, and skilled workforce, Cedar Rapids maintains a productivity rate that is substantially above the national average. Area workers produce 20 percent more than the average American worker and score high in rankings of annual value added per production worker. With 69 percent of the workforce having education beyond high school, and 48 percent having an undergraduate degree or higher, local businesses have a large pool of educated workers from which to choose.
Tourism:
Start by exploring the great outdoors of Cedar Rapids. The area boasts hundreds of city parks, three beautiful state parks, a large off-leash dog park and four county parks within just 20 minutes of Cedar Rapids city limits. Shoppers will not be disappointed, either. The Cedar Rapids area offers some of the finest shopping in the Midwest. From malls to specialty shops, boutiques to antiques, the Cedar Rapids area meets virtually any style. Whether you are interested in science, art, history or motorcycles, the Cedar Rapids area has a wealth of museums with incredible exhibits to enjoy. Check out the African American Museum of Iowa, Carl and Mary Koehler History Center or the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art for everything arts and culture. At night, Cedar Rapids' ever growing dining choices include a wide variety of ethnic options, award-winning barbeque spots and classic and trendy gourmet. You will find the city's food offers the variety and quality you are likely to find in larger cities, only at more reasonable prices.