From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The Iowa Economic Development Authority is to meet this morning to consider a plan to help fund a multi-million dollar Google data center in Cedar Rapids. The city confirmed yesterday the identity of the company behind the $576 million project that will be developed by a company called Heaviside LLC. The city is seeking the board’s approval for additional funding support, but says it has a “Plan B” if the state doesn’t approve the project today. Cedar Rapids city leaders say this project has been in the works for the last five years, and will be the largest economic development project ever for the city.
This would not be the first Google data center in the state. Council Bluffs is home to the first. Google says it’s invested $5 billion in the state since 2007, and created more than 900 jobs on that site.
The Linn-Mar School district is cutting teachers and other staff. In documents obtained by TV9, Linn-Mar’s Superintendent said at least 19 teachers and 31 other staff received layoff notices this week as part of larger budget cuts. The district said it faced a more than $5 million shortfall. It blamed a combination of expiring COVID-19 relief funding, low funding from the state legislature, the impact of Governor Reynolds’ school voucher program and declining enrollment for the shortfall.
A new child care center in Dubuque that received a $2 million state child care business incentive grant is now open. The governor was on hand as “Bright Minds” campus opened in the former Medline Building. It will be able to serve 120 children.
The Iowa House has approved revisions to the state’s Area Education Associations. The bill also raises teacher salaries for new and experienced teachers. Governor Reynolds supports the move, saying it will strengthen Iowa’s education system in meaningful ways.
We’re seeing a turn toward wintry weather but the Cedar Rapids Streets Department says it’s already a month ahead of a number of citywide projects thanks to the warmer weather we saw days earlier. Crews have used the warmer days to get ahead on street sweeping and pothole patching projects. Other work is still being delayed until temperatures stay above freezing.
