Kirkwood, IowaWORKS partnership brings together city, workforce, and business leaders to showcase improved area workforce services
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Nov. 12, 2025)–IowaWORKS and Kirkwood Community College will host a formal grand opening event for the new and improved location dedicated to regional workforce services on Thursday, Nov. 20, on the college’s main campus in Cedar Rapids. Local officials, community and workforce partners, and area employers are all expected to be in attendance.
The new building first opened its doors in late summer, acting as both the American Job Center for Cedar Rapids and a connection point to community college programs from Kirkwood’s campus. Formed as a partnership between Kirkwood and IowaWORKS, the new location at 1025 Kirkwood Parkway SW in Cedar Rapids represents a shared commitment to expanding workforce services and educational opportunities for Iowans in the region. The grand opening will formally recognize the success of this collaboration and highlight its growing impact on the local workforce.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Executive Director Beth Townsend and Kirkwood President Dr. Kristie Fisher will be joined by Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell, Central Iowa Workforce Development Board Executive Director Tim Carson, and business and community leaders to commemorate the building’s successful opening.
The event is open to members of the media and the general public. It will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours of the new facility, and opportunities to learn about the valuable services being offered at the new location. Additional details are included below.
“This partnership has not only created a centralized hub for workforce services, it also has enhanced our ability to respond more efficiently and effectively to the needs of Iowans,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Local job seekers and the employers seeking their talents will now have easier access to the resources they need, and we’re excited to see the long-term impact this will have on the region.”
“This collaboration is really about opening doors for people,” said Kirkwood Executive Director of Skills to Employment Carla Andorf. “When education and workforce services come together under one roof, it makes it so much easier for Iowans to find the support they need to reach their goals. Whether someone is looking to start a new career, build new skills, or connect with local employers, this collaboration helps make those opportunities possible.”
*****EVENT*****
What: Formal Grand Opening of IowaWORKS Cedar Rapids Office
Featuring:
- Ribbon-cutting ceremony with local and state leaders
- Guided tours of the new facility and demonstrations of IowaWORKS services
- Networking opportunities with workforce professionals and educators
When: Thursday, Nov. 20, from 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: 1025 Kirkwood Pkwy SW, in Cedar Rapids
Who will be there:
- Beth Townsend, Executive Director, Iowa Workforce Development
- Dr. Kristie Fisher, President, Kirkwood Community College
- Tiffany O’Donnell, Mayor, City of Cedar Rapids
- Tim Carson, Executive Director, Central Iowa Workforce Development Board
- Ashley Ferguson, Vice President of Training & Development, TrueNorth Companies
- Kirkwood and IowaWORKS Staff
About Kirkwood Continuing Education and Training Services:
Kirkwood Continuing Education notes nearly 30,000 annual enrollments in classes ranging from industry certification to career development to personal enrichment. Over the last 20 years, the number of new jobs created through Kirkwood’s Continuing Education & Training Services has exceeded 14,000.
About IowaWORKS:
IowaWORKS is Iowa’s network of one-stop American Job Centers that collectively provide workforce services for individuals and businesses statewide. Any Iowan can access a wide range of services at one of 18 IowaWORKS locations or online at IowaWORKS.gov. These services–provided both by Iowa Workforce Development and a variety of other partners–include a wide mix of training and job search assistance programs designed to help match Iowans with the employers who need them.