Marion Economic Development Corporation

What Marion Economic Development Corporation does

Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is a private nonprofit economic development corporation founded in 1984 and jointly developed with the City of Marion, Iowa. The organization operates from a 1–10 person headquarters at 1107 7th Avenue in Marion and serves as the primary point of contact for companies considering relocation, expansion, or startup in the Marion market and the broader Cedar Rapids–Iowa City Corridor. Its functional mandate covers business attraction, retention, and expansion, delivered through direct consultation, site selection assistance, local and state incentive navigation, workforce matching, and small-business support services.

MEDCO's core physical asset is the Marion Enterprise Center, a 184-acre certified shovel-ready business park with redundant and looped fiber network connectivity to Involta's Tier 3 data center. Its core programs include Community Promise (a workforce development initiative engaging 1,000+ students across two school districts), Marion Community Build (student-led home rehabilitation), Venture Academics (project-based learning at Linn-Mar Schools), Pursuit Grants, Startup Spotlight, and CoWork 1107 coworking space. The organization also operates the Location One Information System (LOIS) as a self-serve property database and publishes the Leadership Unplugged podcast as a content channel.

MEDCO's business model is public-sector nonprofit: revenue is generated through municipal funding from the City of Marion, partnership contributions from utilities and state agencies (IEDA, Iowa Workforce Development), and facilitation of economic development projects, rather than commercial product or service sales. The organization coordinates a layered network of partners across state government, utilities (Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy), universities (Iowa, Kirkwood, Coe, Mount Mercy), healthcare anchors (UnityPoint Health, Mercy Medical Center), small-business support organizations (NewBoCo, EDC, SCORE), and financial partners (CIPCO, ECICOG, City of Marion RLF) to deliver its services.

Name

Marion Economic Development Corporation

Legal name

Marion Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://medcoiowa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is a nonprofit economic development corporation serving Marion, Iowa that supports business attraction, retention, and expansion through site selection, incentive navigation, and workforce development programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business attraction consulting
• Site selection assistance
• Workforce development programs
• Community economic planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Marion

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Economic Development Services: MEDCO operates as a nonprofit economic development corporation funded by the City of Marion. Revenue is generated through public funding, partnership contributions, and facilitation of economic development projects rather than commercial product/service sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is a nonprofit economic development corporation that attracts, retains, and expands businesses in Marion, Iowa. It provides site selection assistance through certified shovel-ready properties and available building listings, navigates local and state incentive programs (TIF, High Quality Jobs, 260E/260F training), and supports workforce development via the Community Promise program. The organization also operates the 184-acre Marion Enterprise Center business park and Marion Enterprise Network fiber infrastructure to support companies locating in the region.

Product overview

Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is an economic development organization, not a technology software company. It offers a suite of economic and workforce development programs including business attraction and site selection services (Marion Enterprise Center certified sites, available buildings), workforce initiatives (Community Promise, Venture Academics, Marion Community Build, Pursuit Grants), startup support (Startup Spotlight), small business resources (partnering with NewBoCo, EDC, SBDC, SCORE), and infrastructure services (Marion Enterprise Network fiber connectivity). The organization does not develop or sell software products; rather it provides advisory services, physical infrastructure, and community programs to support business growth in Marion, Iowa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Promise: A workforce development initiative connecting students with real careers through career exposure, experience, and pursuit programs.
• Marion Enterprise Center (MEC)
• Marion Community Build
• Venture Academics
• Startup Spotlight

Products and services

• Economic Development Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 7%+ population growth over six years, outpacing state and national averages
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development authority administering assistance programs including High Quality Jobs, 260E Industrial New Jobs Training, 260F Iowa Jobs Training, and workforce housing tax credits. IEDA certifies MEDCO's sites and provides state-level incentive programs.
• Iowa Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing workforce data, labor market information, and employment services. MEDCO leverages IWD data for workforce planning and connects businesses with state workforce resources.
• Kirkwood Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional community college serving seven counties with 23,000+ enrollment. Partners on workforce training programs including 260E new jobs training, 260F retraining, corporate training, and Workplace Learning Connection K-12 career pipeline program.
• CIRAS (Center for Industrial Research and Service) at Iowa State UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIowa State University partner providing Industry 4.0 readiness assessments, technology implementation assistance, virtual process reviews, and manufacturing 4.0 education for Marion-area manufacturers.
• Involta (Tier 3 Data Center)coreTechnology or IntegrationState-of-the-art secure data storage facility connected to Marion's public fiber network, providing enterprise-grade data infrastructure for businesses in the Marion Enterprise Center.
• Cedar Rapids Economic AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development partnership providing additional business attraction resources and coordination for companies considering the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area including Marion.
• Alliant EnergymajorOthersUtility partner offering business incentive programs and rebates for energy efficiency improvements. Contact: Torri Freese at Alliant Energy providing economic development support.
• MidAmerican EnergymajorOthersNatural gas utility partner offering rebate programs for business owners. Contact: Greg Theis providing economic development resources.
• NewBoCo (New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional innovation organization supporting entrepreneurship and tech education through startup accelerators, Vault coworking space, Kiva microlending hub, and professional services (web development, Agile coaching, hardware prototyping).
• Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-sponsored business accelerator providing guided professional direction, networking, educational programs, and connection to resources for Iowa entrepreneurs.
• East Central Iowa SCORE Chapter 0227minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFree mentoring services for entrepreneurs starting, growing, and fixing small businesses across 19 eastern Iowa counties.
• Iowa SourceLinkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier online resource connecting entrepreneurs and small businesses to 320+ resource providers across Iowa, including resource navigator, event calendar, and business licensing information.
• Coe CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids with 1,400 students; partners on talent pipeline through Handshake recruitment platform.
• Mount Mercy UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate university in Cedar Rapids with 1,800+ students focused on leadership and compassionate service; partners on talent pipeline.
• University of IowamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBig Ten public research university with 30,000+ students; partners through John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) for startup support and Handshake recruitment.
• UnityPoint HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth largest nondenominational health system in the U.S.; key healthcare anchor for biotech and medical technology companies in Marion, enabling healthcare data management and medical technology development.
• Mercy Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop 100 hospital for six consecutive years; healthcare anchor supporting medical technology sector with partnership through Community Promise Pre Health Academy.
• ICR IowamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization representing the Cedar Rapids Iowa City corridor; coordinates regional business attraction, workforce initiatives, and key industry promotion.
• Catherine McAuley CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing refugee and immigrant services including tutoring, employment-readiness education, and job-seeking support; connects employers with qualified refugee applicants.
• FourOaks TotalChild WorkforceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram helping employers connect with students who have participated in TotalChild program as they transition from high school into workforce and post-secondary training.
• Jane Boyd PATHS ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner6-week career development and job skills training program for young adults ages 18-26; includes job shadows, $600 stipend, and networking opportunities.
• Willis Dady Employment ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomelessness intervention program connecting people to supported employment opportunities in Cedar Rapids area; develops creative employer partnerships.
• Linn-Mar Community School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier public school district with 95% average graduation rate; partners on Community Promise career pathway program, Marion Community Build, and Venture Academics innovative project-based learning.
• Marion Independent School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServing 2,000+ students; partners on Community Promise career pathways, Marion Community Build home rehabilitation program, and career and technical education alignment.
• Home Base IowacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState initiative connecting Iowa businesses with qualified veterans; MEDCO coordinates local incentives including water hookup waiver, YMCA membership, and recreation programs for veterans relocating to Marion.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development: Public-private economic development corporation for Lincoln, Nebraska — a similarly sized midwestern city. Closely comparable mandate: business attraction, retention, workforce, and certified site development.
• ICR Iowa: Regional economic development organization for the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor. Coordinated partnership with MEDCO on business attraction, workforce initiatives, and key industry promotion.
• Ames Economic Development Commission: Local economic development corporation for Ames, Iowa — another small Iowa city of comparable size. Closely comparable in scope, structure, and Iowa-centric business attraction focus.
• Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance: Regional economic development partner covering the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, including Marion. Operates with a similar business attraction, retention, and workforce development model and shares overlapping geography and pipeline.

Regional players

• Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber and economic development body serving the Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois border). Comparable model — business attraction, workforce, and small business support — but on the Iowa-Illinois state line.
• Greater Des Moines Partnership: Regional economic development and chamber organization serving the Des Moines metro in central Iowa. Comparable service mix (attraction, retention, workforce) but at much larger scale and different geography.
• Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce: Eastern Iowa chamber and economic development body serving Dubuque. Comparable small-city economic development model with strong workforce development emphasis.
• St. Louis Regional Business Council: Regional business and economic development organization serving the St. Louis metro. Comparable mix of attraction, retention, and workforce programs at larger regional scale.
• Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce: Regional economic development and chamber for the Omaha metro in Nebraska. Comparable industry targeting (finance, food processing, tech) at larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA): State-level economic development authority administering Iowa's incentive programs (High Quality Jobs, 260E, 260F). Operates one tier above MEDCO, certifying local sites and providing the state-level programs MEDCO navigates for clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWcpMSZYgvHIUmZVeF7w-aw
• Facebookfacebook.com/medcoiowa
• Instagraminstagram.com/marioncommunitypromise
• Xx.com/MEDCOia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marion-economic-development-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marion Economic Development Corporation