Cedar Rapids is the 2nd biggest city in the state of Iowa. It is located on both banks of the Cedar River, 32 km or 20 miles north of Iowa City and 100 miles or 160 km east of the state's largest city and capital, Des Moines. The city of Cedar Rapids forms the county seat of Linn County. The City Hall and the Linn County Courthouse are both located on Mays Island within the Cedar River. This makes it amongst the several cities within the world which has government offices located on a municipal island.
Cedar Rapids is the centre of the Interstate 380 Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor of Linn, Washington, Johnson, Benton and Jones counties. The city forms the economic center of the state of Iowa and is a major center for culture and art in Eastern Iowa. The city of Cedar Rapids is home to the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, the Paramount Theatre, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
The nickname of Cedar Rapids is the "City of Five Seasons." The 5th season is the time to enjoy the other traditional four seasons. In the downtown area along the north river bank, the city of Cedar Rapids symbolizes this with a sculpture known as the Tree of Five Seasons. In various forms, the representation of the sculpture and the name "Five Seasons" appear through the city of Cedar Rapids in numerous ways.
The Fox and Sac Tribes inhabited the area surrounding the current Cedar Rapids, before the arrival of Osgood Shepard. He was the very first permanent settler, when he arrived during the year 1838. When the town was first established, Mr. William Stone called the township Columbus. Later on during the year 1841, it was renamed and resurveyed by N.B. Brown and his associates. The new name of Cedar Rapids was named for the rapids in the Cedar River at the site. The river was named to honor the huge red cedar trees which profusely grew along its banks. On the 15th of January, 1849, Cedar Rapids became incorporated.
A lot of large businesses make their home within the city of Cedar Rapids, like for instance: GE Commercial Finance, Cargill, Quaker Oats, Rockwell Collins, General Mills, Archer Daniels Midland, and Allient Energy are amongst the top companies. Rockwell Collins is the area's biggest employer. The company produces communication technology and aviation electronic technology for aircraft manufacturers, airline customers and for the government.
Within the area's Technology Corridor are a lot of high-tech industries and companies. This region is a major sector within the nation's defense electronics business. The city of Cedar Rapids as a whole has over 275 manufacturing facilities presently in operation. Food processing and manufacturing as well as agribusiness are essential parts of the economy. Telemarketing and telecommunications likewise offer many jobs in the region. There are local firms specializing in system planning, equipment manufacturing and electronic design and manufacturing.
There are various development and research facilities in the region. The highly educated and productive labor force along with a mid-nation location has made the area attractive to new companies and industries. The productivity rate of the labor force is very much higher compared to the rate of average of the United States.