The signs of revival are not just in Cedar Rapids. From Cleveland to Denver to Detroit, an impressive collection of cities has figured out ways to attract new residents, entice new businesses and, ever so gradually, begin to turn around their fortunes. In Cleveland, a group of business, political and community leaders is being credited with redeveloping downtown and drawing in new residents. In Denver, city and suburban politicians worked with the metropolitan area business community to attract new jobs and housing to the region, agreeing not to fight each other for the same businesses. In Macon, Ga., city leaders have pulled together to use historic preservation laws to revitalize neighborhoods that once seemed on the verge of becoming ghost towns.
Many businessmen go on recruitment trips on their own dime, and with dramatic results.
In the past 10 years, the city has attracted more than 90 new firms from as far away as Korea, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands to locate plants in their city. Then the farm crisis struck this city broadside, and we lost people, businesses and jobs. A group of business leaders said never again, and people have put aside their parochial interests for the greater good of the community. It sounds Pollyannaish, but it is true. At a glance, Cedar Rapids is not an obvious candidate for a comeback.