Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance remote worker recruitment campaign meets new resident goal months early

Cedar Rapids set out to test whether a modest incentive could nudge remote workers toward eastern Iowa. It worked better — and faster — than expected. After launching a pilot program this summer, the Metro Economic Alliance hit its goal of 15 new households two months early, drawing young professionals from 10 states and adding 30 new residents to the metro. The cash offer wasn’t the sole motivator, but it helped people take a closer look. Now local leaders are exploring how to build on that momentum and turn early success into long-term population growth. Grace Nieland with Cedar Rapids Gazette has the full story.