The Gazette’s Business Notes is a weekly compilation of promotions, new hires, certifications, and business events in the Corridor, which includes Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. To submit information for Business Notes, you can send it via email to businessnotes@thegazette.com or through thegazette.com/businessnotes.

In terms of new hires, Mark Fay has recently joined Skogman Realty as a Realtor.

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, broke ground last week 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 Sen Joni Ernst named Hawkeye Molding of Story County her small business of the week recently . The manufacturing company specializes in plastic injection molding and was purchased by Ryan Gruhn and Lana Leander in 2021 . It was relocated to Roland Iowa where it continues to thrive . In recognition of their success , the Iowa Farm Bureau presented Hawkeye Molding with the Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award . Senator Ernst who serves as the ranking member on the Senate’s Small Business Committee has been highlighting outstanding small businesses in each of Iowa’s counties during this congressional session