Putting Numbers to the Impact of Our Universities and Hospitals
It is no local secret that education and healthcare are vital anchors to Johnson County’s economy. In the final quarter of 2025, there were over 22,000 workers employed in the healthcare and social assistance sector and over 18,000 employed in the education sector. Just these two sectors account for almost half (41,000; 47%) of Johnson County’s 87,000 total average monthly employees. With the University of Iowa’s local presence this has long been the industry makeup in Johnson County. On a […]
How Coworking Space and Business Support Services Drive Economic Development and Innovation
MERGE Iowa City was designed to foster collaboration. Throughout the coworking space, business leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations and remote professionals create opportunities for conversations that spark new ideas and partnerships. MERGE offers daily passes, meeting spaces and offices in a prime location: the Ped Mall of downtown Iowa City. Currently, there are 267 active members at MERGE and 14 private office spaces. Greater Iowa City, Inc. also manages CoWork @ 808 in Coralville, […]
Interest Grows in Welcoming Week as 2026 Committee Plans New Events
As summer reaches its midpoint, Greater Iowa City, Inc. is already looking ahead to Welcoming Week 2026, taking place September 10–19. The 2026 Welcome Week committee has created two new special events. Starting on Thursday, September 10th, Welcoming Week will kick off with a community meal in Coralville with the Coralville Food Pantry. The finale will include a first-ever soccer […]
Data Bites: A Weekend that was Bananas
** photo courtesy Joseph Cress/Think Iowa City This article features data from the Tourism & Civic Life section of Greater Iowa City, Inc.’s Community Data Dashboard. Additionally, Greater IC derived the following numbers from key events in June and July 2026. – Over 54,000 visitors in downtown Iowa City during the Downtown District’s Block […]
Public Engagement Reveals Interest in Johnson County Governance
When Johnson County asked residents what should shape the future of county government, one message stood out alongside familiar priorities like housing, childcare, infrastructure and economic development: many participants also wanted to see conversations about how county government itself is organized and governed. Although the Johnson County Board of Supervisors ultimately chose not to include governance modernization in its […]
Applications Open for ICCSD Financial Oversight Committee
The Iowa City Community School District is currently seeking applicants for its Financial Oversight Committee. The committee will serve in an advisory role to the Board of Education and provide independent oversight and recommendations related to the district’s financial reporting, budgeting, audits, internal controls, risk management, and long-term financial sustainability. The re-establishment of a community-informed Financial Oversight […]