The Gazette’s Business Notes is a weekly compilation of promotions, new hires, certifications, and business events in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the surrounding areas known as the Corridor. To submit information and photos for Business Notes, you can send them via email to businessnotes@thegazette.com or on thegazette.com/businessnotes.

In other news, SCORE is hosting a free workshop on May 14 for business owners. This workshop will provide training in marketing and sales as well as opportunities for networking. The event will take place at the Cedar Rapids Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a free lunch provided by Roasters. Seating is limited, so those interested in attending should contact Mark at mark.hermann@scorevolunteer.org.

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, recently broke ground for a 6.5-acre solar farm at its electric power systems facility in Rockford, Illinois. The solar farm will be owned and operated by ENGIE North America and is expected to provide approximately 10 percent of the facility’s electrical needs annually. RTX has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent from 2019 levels.

U.S Senators Joni Ernst named Hawkeye Molding of Story County as her small business of the week last week.

The manufacturing company specializes in plastic injection molding and was purchased by Ryan Gruhn and Lana Leander in 2021 before being relocated to Roland, Iowa where it continues to thrive.

In recognition of their successes, Hawkeye Molding received the Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award from the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Senator Ernst serves as the ranking member on the Senate’s Small Business Committee and has been highlighting outstanding small businesses in each of Iowa’s counties during this congressional session.

Mark Fay has recently joined Skogman Realty as a Realtor.

If you would like more information about these topics or any other news happening in Cedar Rapids