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News story published on 03/22/2006
By Molly Rossiter
Published in The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA) Edition: F, Page: 8B Priority One officials announced Tuesday that this year's capital campaign raised $6.85 million - surpassing its goal of $5.8 million set last year. "This is a great tribute to the community," said Jack Evans, president of the Hall-Perrine Foundation and co-chairman of the Priorities 2010 campaign. "This is a tribute to what exists here and we have to nurture it." Priority One, the economic development division of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, works to expand or to bring new companies and jobs to the Cedar Rapids area, said Priority One President Mark Seckman. The capital campaign is the sole source of revenue for Priority One and is used to cover a five-year period. Because of the success of this year's campaign, the money will be used to fund six years of operation. "We're going to take the five-year plan and turn it into a six-year plan," Seckman said. "The investors reached deep into their pockets .-.-. and we're going to show them we're fiscally responsible and spread the money over six years." Priority One worked with area companies to bring 5,400 new jobs to the area over the last five years. Seckman said the goal for the next five years is another 6,000 jobs - with half, he said, paying $17.50 per hour or more. Evans said several factors contributed to the campaign's success this year, namely a combination of larger contributions from existing investors and the addition of 90 new investors. Russ Leach, senior development director of Atlanta, Ga.-based National Community Development Services Inc., said the funds raised by Priority One are typical for a community twice the size of Cedar Rapids. Copyright (c) 2006, Gazette Communications, Inc. | 
