Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery had a problem: its packaging equipment was inefficient, took up too much space, and required too many people to operate. Replacing the outdated machinery would cost more than $150,000. Murphy Quint, head distiller and chief of operations at Cedar Ridge, knew the Iowa Economic Development Authority had a program to … Continue reading Networking Helps Cedar Ridge Solve Equipment Needs
Author: mcgraw
Q&A with Strategic Advisor, Derek Thompson
Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. A: As a member of the Strategic Advisor team, we are the sales force of CIRAS. We are calling on and developing relationships with the leaders at our Iowa manufacturing companies so that we can … Continue reading Q&A with Strategic Advisor, Derek Thompson
CIRAS Attends Conference Focused on Workforce Solutions
The spark ignited at a recent workforce conference still burns for four CIRAS employees who attended the event. “We’re excited to take some of the information and best practices presented there and fit them into our program,” said Mary McGraw, project manager. McGraw, Brenda Martin, workforce program director, Pam Lane, project manager, and Mayra Ramirez, … Continue reading CIRAS Attends Conference Focused on Workforce Solutions
Reflecting on the ILC Kentucky Lean Tour
Members of the Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) waited four years for the ILC Kentucky Lean Tour but by all accounts, the trip was worth the wait. “I’ve read the books and studied the practices but the presentations and tours gave me insights on how to apply lean principles that I couldn’t have gotten any other … Continue reading Reflecting on the ILC Kentucky Lean Tour
DYK: Cybersecurity Contract Clauses Explained
We are often asked to help a company understand what their contract compliance requirements are regarding cybersecurity in federal contracting. One way to understand those requirements is to look at your contract or solicitation and identify what cyber clauses are included. Below is a quick guide to identifying those clauses and understanding what obligations they … Continue reading DYK: Cybersecurity Contract Clauses Explained
Q & A with Marketing and Growth Project Manager, CJ Osborn
Q. Tell me about your role at CIRAS and the type of clients you work with? A. I lead the CIRAS Business Team, which offers services in the areas of marketing, supply chain, and other non-technical business functions. As part of that team, I serve as a project manager focused on marketing strategy, and … Continue reading Q & A with Marketing and Growth Project Manager, CJ Osborn
Businesses Encouraged to Respond to IWD Wage Survey
Nearly 7,200 Iowa businesses are slated to receive a wage survey this year—with mailings starting in May—and officials at Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) have a plea: Help us help you by completing it. The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey gathers employment information and wages paid for nearly 800 job titles. Donna Burkett, bureau … Continue reading Businesses Encouraged to Respond to IWD Wage Survey
CIRAS Welcomes 2023 Summer Interns
eNews Engineering Industry 4.0 ISU Students Manufacturing Networking Outreach Supply Chain Workforce
CIRAS is set to welcome the 2023 summer interns to the team. CIRAS hosts interns throughout the summer, offering students professional networking opportunities that will contribute to their professional connection and interest in pursuing manufacturing. The goals of the internship program are as follows: Expose talented young professionals to manufacturing Provide students with opportunities to … Continue reading CIRAS Welcomes 2023 Summer Interns
Did You Know? Are you “DIB-Ready”?
As we’ve previously mentioned, APEX Accelerator programs (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers / PTACs) throughout the United States are now being managed by the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). While much of the government contracting assistance available for businesses from APEX Accelerators like ours will remain unchanged, the update … Continue reading Did You Know? Are you “DIB-Ready”?
Q & A With CIRAS Government Contracting Director, Jodi Essex
Q: Tell me about your role at CIRAS and the type of clients you work with. A: I am currently serving as the Program Director for the APEX Accelerator program that assists businesses with selling their products and services to government agencies. I primarily support a team of government contracting specialists that provide one-on-one counseling, training events and … Continue reading Q & A With CIRAS Government Contracting Director, Jodi Essex