It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ushers Ferry Historic Village gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cedar Rapids, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Morgan Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Cobble Hill or visit Brucemore, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Cedar Rapids, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cedar Rapids, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cedar Rapids, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CEDAR RAPIDS — There’s Cedar Rapids Kennedy, then there’s everyone else right now in Class 4A boys’ basketball.The Cougars solidified their hold on the top spot in the class in this week’s Iowa High School Athletic Association 4A poll with a convincing win Saturday over fourth-ranked West Des Moines Valley as part of the MVC-CIML Showdown at Waukee.Kennedy (14-0), which has won 34 consecutive regu...
CEDAR RAPIDS — There’s Cedar Rapids Kennedy, then there’s everyone else right now in Class 4A boys’ basketball.
The Cougars solidified their hold on the top spot in the class in this week’s Iowa High School Athletic Association 4A poll with a convincing win Saturday over fourth-ranked West Des Moines Valley as part of the MVC-CIML Showdown at Waukee.
Kennedy (14-0), which has won 34 consecutive regular-season games, got 18 points from Trevan Krumrei and held Valley to 37.5 percent in a 60-43 victory. Defending 4A champion Valley (11-4) played without all-state guard Curtis Stinson Jr., who has been out for multiple weeks with a hip injury.
Valley actually moved from fourth to third despite the loss. Iowa City West (12-1) is second in this week’s 4A rankings, coming off a two-point win Saturday over Cedar Falls, which is ranked ninth.
The big mover up is Sioux City East (15-2), which picked up a huge 68-53 win Saturday at Waukee. The Warriors (12-5) dropped from third to fifth.
The other three No. 1 teams remained the same, also with some shuffling after that in each class. Clear Lake (13-0) is your top-ranked team in Class 3A, West Lyon (16-0) in 2A and Bellevue Marquette (18-0) in 1A.
The top five remained identical in 3A, with Solon (15-0) fourth and Decorah (14-1) fifth. Despite a loss to Solon, Marion (10-4) stayed at No. 8 in the class.
Good wins over Cascade and Maquoketa inched Monticello (14-1) up from seventh to fifth in Class 2A. Two losses dropped Iowa City Regina from 10th to out of the rankings.
In Class 1A, North Linn (15-1) slipped from second to third despite not losing. Madrid (14-2) moved up from fourth to second after a three-win week.
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The Tigers play a 2A-heavy schedule. Keota (16-0) also decreased one place, from fifth to sixth despite not losing.
In a big game this week, North Linn plays Friday night at No. 1 Bellevue Marquette.
Below is this week’s entire poll, with team record and last week’s ranking in parentheses.
1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy 14-0 (1)
2. Iowa City West 12-1 (2)
3. West Des Moines Valley 11-4 (4)
4. Sioux City East 15-2 (10)
5. Waukee 12-5 (3)
6. North Scott 13-2 (7)
7. Dubuque Senior 12-1 (6)
8. Ankeny Centennial 11-4 (5)
9. Cedar Falls 11-3 (8)
10. Norwalk 11-2 (NR)
Dropped out: Ankeny.
1. Clear Lake 13-0 (1)
2. Adel ADM 12-1 (2)
3. Waverly-Shell Rock 13-2 (3)
4. Solon 15-0 (4)
5. Decorah 14-1 (5)
6. Davenport Assumption 10-5 (10)
7. Ballard 11-4 (6)
8. Marion 10-4 (8)
9. MOC-Floyd Valley 13-3 (7)
10. Council Bluffs Lewis Central 11-3 (NR)
Dropped out: Sioux City Heelan.
1. West Lyon 16-0 (1)
2. Western Christian 14-1 (2)
3. Hudson 13-1 (3)
4. Underwood 17-0 (5)
5. Monticello 14-1 (7)
6. Carroll Kuemper 14-2 (4)
7. Pella Christian 11-4 (6)
8. Treynor 13-2 (5)
9. Grundy Center 14-2 (9)
10. West Burlington 14-0 (NR)
Dropped out: Iowa City Regina..
1. Bellevue Marquette 18-0 (1)
2. Madrid 14-2 (4)
3. North Linn 15-1 (2)
4. Winfield-Mount Union 14-1 (3)
5. Lake Mills 16-1 (6)
6. Keota 16-0 (5)
7. Lynnville-Sully 16-1 (7)
8. North Union 16-2 (5)
9. East Mills 15-1 (8)
10. Lansing Kee 17-2 (10)
Dropped out: Guthrie Center ACGC, Remsen St. Mary’s.
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
Coach Henry Reicks says ‘She is such a coachable athlete. I could not be more happy or proud for her.’Riley Cole CEDAR RAPIDS — On Friday afternoon, Eleanor Pfab was smiling from ear to ear.It wasn’t only because she had punched her ticket to this week’s IGHSAU state tournament. It also was because she had etched her name in history, becoming ...
Coach Henry Reicks says ‘She is such a coachable athlete. I could not be more happy or proud for her.’
CEDAR RAPIDS — On Friday afternoon, Eleanor Pfab was smiling from ear to ear.
It wasn’t only because she had punched her ticket to this week’s IGHSAU state tournament. It also was because she had etched her name in history, becoming Cedar Rapids Xavier’s first state qualifier in girls’ wrestling.
The feeling doesn’t get much better than that.
“It feels really good,” Pfab said. “I’m proud of myself. Coming from the first meet of the season until now is a really big achievement that I’ve done.
“I started crying after, because I was so happy.”
Head coach Henry Reicks knows this is a special accomplishment for the first-year Xavier program and Pfab.
“It’s phenomenal that in our first year we are able to get a state qualifier,” Reicks said. “To get it from a freshman is just outstanding.”
Pfab qualified for state by finishing in fourth place in the Region 5 115-pound weight class, after falling to Silvia Garcia-Vasquez of West Liberty by a narrow 8-6 decision in the third-place match.
However, finishing in fourth place didn’t happen without a fight. She had to come back after a loss in the semifinals to Cailin Reiter of Pleasant Valley, who went on to win the Region 5 115-pound title.
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“Just because you have to wrestle your way back, doesn’t mean you can’t get there (state),” Pfab said. “I wanted to make it happen.”
Reicks had just as big of a smile on his face Friday afternoon, as he enjoyed witnessing history being made by the Saints’ freshman.
As her coach, Reicks has had a front row seat to Pfab’s development as a wrestler, and he believes her success on the mat is a testament to her hard work and drive to get better in practice.
“She’s done everything we’ve asked her to do,” Reicks said. “She is such a coachable athlete. I could not be more happy or proud for her.
“I cannot say enough about how hard she works. She’s deserved this.”
Even though Pfab is the lone Saint who will be competing in the state tournament starting Thursday in Coralville, the season isn’t over for Xavier. The team will practice alongside her to get her prepared for her state tournament run.
Once a team, always a team — a concept that has been instilled in the Xavier girls’ wrestling program from day one.
“Everybody will come into the practice room, because we are a team,” Reicks said. “All of her teammates will be there helping us and pushing her. We have three more practices left, so we are going to take advantage of that.
“We will be there for Eleanor to get her where she needs to be to get ready for Thursday and Friday.”
In her state tournament debut, Pfab has set her sights high. With her team behind her, there are no limits for what the freshman can do.
She knows she can reach her goals with hard work, just as she’s done all season.
“I really want to finish third or higher, but fifth or higher is OK, too,” Pfab said. “I have to push it and work really hard to get to where I want to go.”
by Women's Wrestling CoalitionThe coalition of wrestling organizations supporting NCAA women’s wrestling is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the six Regional Tournaments which will qualify athletes for the 2024 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships (NCWWC).This season, the NCWWC expands from five to six regional tournaments to determine the contenders who will advance to the national championships. This expansion is due to the continued growth of women's collegiate wrestling a...
by Women's Wrestling Coalition
The coalition of wrestling organizations supporting NCAA women’s wrestling is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the six Regional Tournaments which will qualify athletes for the 2024 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships (NCWWC).
This season, the NCWWC expands from five to six regional tournaments to determine the contenders who will advance to the national championships. This expansion is due to the continued growth of women's collegiate wrestling among NCAA institutions.
"It is so exciting that we have moved into six regions for our NCAA women, simply due to the explosive growth of our sport," stated NWCA Deputy Director Dr. Jackie Paquette.
The 2024 NCWWC Regional tournaments are as follows:
• Region I: Lock Haven University | Saturday, Feb. 24
• Region II: Emmanuel College | Friday, Feb. 23
• Region III: Gannon University | Saturday, Feb. 24
• Region IV: North Central College | Sunday, Feb. 25
• Region V: Simpson College | Friday, Feb. 23
• Region VI: Texas Woman's University | Sunday, Feb. 25
Regional Assignments (teams in each Region)
In each weight class, the top four wrestlers from the regional tournaments will secure their places in the NCWWC. A wrestle-off will be conducted to determine a true fourth-place finisher if the fourth and fifth-place wrestlers did not have the opportunity to compete against each other during the tournament. In the rare scenario that they faced off twice, the outcome of their last match will determine the rightful fourth-place finisher.
There have been considerable changes in the composition of the regions, due to the addition of one region and a number of new programs added during the 2022-23 season. When there were five NCWWC Regions in 2023, the regional champions were Sacred Heart University (Region 1), King University (Region 2), UW-Stevens Point (Region 3), North Central College (Region 4) and Colorado Mesa University (Region 5).
The pinnacle of the NCAA women’s wrestling season, the 2024 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships, is scheduled for March 8-9 at the prestigious Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This much-anticipated event will bring together the best of the best in women's NCAA wrestling, showcasing the 240 athletes who earned the right to compete for national titles and All-American status.
Tickets are now available for 2024 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships through Ticketmaster, and will include an All-Session ticket, or tickets for each of the four individual sessions. To order tickets, visit https://www.ncwwc.com/tickets
“In 2024, the NCWWC is set to be an exceptional national event, with a focus on an empowering NCAA student-athlete experience. All wrestling enthusiasts are invited to support America’s most powerful athletes as they compete for a National Championship. In addition to the exhilarating wrestling matches, a dedicated NCWWC Fan Fest has curated vendors who uplift and empower the women’s wrestling community. This event aims to fuel the enthusiasm of all wrestling fans and pave the way for the future generation,” said Sally Roberts, CEO of Wrestle Like A Girl.
The defending NCWWC team champion is North Central College (Illinois). The champion of the first three NCWWC Nationals was McKendree University (Illinois).
The 2024 NCWWC is being organized by Wrestle Like A Girl. The NCWWC is supported by a coalition comprised of D1 Women’s Wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the National Wrestling Coaches Association, USA Wrestling, and Wrestle Like a Girl.
Women’s Wrestling is currently an NCAA Emerging Sport. Last year, NCAA women’s wrestling had over 40 programs which met specific requirements and is now eligible for consideration for an official NCAA Championships, which could be achieved as early as the 2025-26 season.
For more information on the 2024 NCWWC, visit the official website at:
The tax self-imposed by business, property owners fuels public art, events, other enhancementsMarissa Payne There’s one city acronym that often mystifies people, even those who are part of it.What’s a Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District, or SSMID? Many aren’t quite sure what it is, what it does or how they’re governed — or even how to pronounce the acronym. (Depending on who you ask, it’s ...
The tax self-imposed by business, property owners fuels public art, events, other enhancements
There’s one city acronym that often mystifies people, even those who are part of it.
What’s a Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District, or SSMID? Many aren’t quite sure what it is, what it does or how they’re governed — or even how to pronounce the acronym. (Depending on who you ask, it’s either SSMID or SHMID.)
One person wrote to Curious Iowa — a Gazette series that answers readers’ questions — asking how SSMID plans and projects are approved and who provides financial oversight for the entities. We talked to the people closest to some of Eastern Iowa’s SSMIDs to find out.
A SSMID is a district where taxpayers have authorized the city to levy an additional tax on property owners to raise revenue for specific purposes within the district’s boundaries. That often includes beautification projects, streetscaping, events and programming within the district.
Iowa calls them SSMIDs, but in other states they may be known as Business Improvement Districts or Downtown Development Authorities. There are approximately 30 in the state.
Some communities with SSMIDs may only have one, while others such as Cedar Rapids have multiple. Cedar Rapids’ SSMIDs are Downtown, MedQuarter and New Bohemia-Czech Village. In Iowa City, the Iowa City Downtown District and South of 6 District are SSMIDs. Uptown Marion property owners also are in talks with city officials about creating a SSMID there.
Under Iowa code, only commercial, industrial or historic district properties are eligible to form a SSMID. The district must consist of contiguous property within the city’s boundaries.
To form a SSMID, a city council must file a petition with the city clerk with signatures of at least 25 percent of the property owners within the proposed district. Those signatures also must represent at least 25 percent of the district’s assessed property value. If 40 percent or more of the district property owners representing at least 40 percent of the assessed property value file a petition to oppose the creation of the SSMID, the council must withdraw it from consideration.
Daniel Stalder, with the Iowa League of Cities, said SSMIDs can be used by local governments at the request of businesses to accomplish specific goals. These goals are outlined in city ordinances and resolutions when a SSMID is created.
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“Every SSMID that I'm aware of has an external board or commission that is composed of community leaders, property or business owners in the SSMID district, and occasionally even city leaders,” Stalder said. “This board, or commission, approves the actions of the SSMID staff (if they have any) and generally provides oversight of the tax dollars."
Cedar Rapids Community Development Director Jennifer Pratt, who serves as Cedar Rapids’ staff liaison to the city’s three SSMIDs, said they are a way to encourage involvement at a grassroots level — like neighborhood associations for businesses.
“Revitalizing neighborhoods and then spurring that business growth and reinvestment is huge,” Pratt said. “Why do we do all of the streetscape? It's great for making an interesting, pedestrian-friendly environment … but it's also encouraging other people to invest.”
Members of a SSMID’s governing panel are mostly made up of property owners or their representatives. They may have ex officio non-voting members from the city or other organizations, such as the University of Iowa for the Iowa City SSMIDs.
In Cedar Rapids, all SSMID commission members are appointed by the mayor with the council’s consent. The three SSMIDs contract for staff. MedQ and Downtown SSMIDs contract with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. The MedQuarter also is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit.
“Because they are in their district, they have a great insight on what's needed to bring about those enhancements,” Pratt said.
Monica Vernon, who serves as administrator of the NewBo-Czech Village SSMID, said she may offer ideas as an administrator, but the commission meets monthly and decides which projects to pursue.
The commission looks to underscore or enhance the charm of the district, Vernon said, which already offers gorgeous buildings, proximity to the Cedar River and the 16th Avenue Bridge as an attractive connector.
“We want to enhance it all and continue to make it a place where people want to bike to, walk to, park their car and get out and explore,” Vernon said.
In Iowa City, both SSMIDs operate as 501(c)(6) nonprofits like the MedQ. But Iowa City’s SSMIDs are both governed by independent boards of directors. Nominees are approved by a majority board vote.
Angie Jordan, executive director of South of 6, said it is unique because it “was spearheaded by the South District Neighborhood's work to revitalize the area through economic development alongside community development”
“Our SSMID brings together a lot of decision-makers to co-create change focused around a shared goal and a timeline along with an initial budget to make improvements that directly benefit everyone investing into it,” Jordan said.
Betsy Potter, executive director of the Iowa City Downtown District, said the organization works primarily to welcome people to the city, shape infrastructure and sense of place and trying to draw more people to the area.
“Without organizations like ours, business owners and property owners are kind of on their own,” Potter said. “ … We’re working on their behalf every day and they don’t have to think about it as much.”
SSMIDs typically do some strategic planning that guide the projects they pursue and services they offer within the district, and they’re driven by the SSMID’s governing panel. It can include streetscaping, as the MedQ has done on 10th Street SE, holiday lights, events and programming or public art — anything that contributes to the district’s vibrancy.
The SSMID’s governing panel fuels the work, but Pratt said there’s ongoing coordination with the city. She said with the Downtown SSMID, its staff help provide maintenance on trails and in Greene Square so the city doesn’t have to deploy its staff. Work on SSMID action plans, such as in Czech Village and NewBo, can also guide other city efforts such as its current endeavor to refresh a vision to revitalize the greenway along the west side of the river.
Cedar Rapids’ Downtown SSMID takes in about $765,000 a year. Among the priorities the commission recently provided with staff to start off 2024 were purchasing 12 new self-watering planters, organizing an annual meeting to bring together downtown stakeholders, exploring how to offer more live music and how to create a trolley.
Tim Kindl — a co-owner of the Fun Not Fancy restaurant group that includes Cliff’s, Brick’s and Taco Gato, among other restaurants in the metro — said the SSMID commission feels open to good ideas that benefit downtown.
“People don’t realize that it’s not a government agency, it’s not ran by the city,” Kindl said. “It’s property owners, and they elected to do this. They’re doing it for the good of the city, of downtown. It’s a tax that they imposed on themselves.”
As the Downtown SSMID has looked to spur activity, Kindl said his group worked out an arrangement where the SSMID financially supports BLOCKtoberfest. The event shuts streets down for a night around Second Avenue and Third Street SE where Cliff’s is located to host a concert.
While last year’s event drew fewer people because of tornado warnings, Kindl said the first year in 2022 attracted about 3,500 people. It raised $15,000 for local charities, according to a 2022 SSMID report.
“The idea is to get people downtown and offer something different and something fun, and it just works,” Kindl said. “ … It’s people downtown and that’s what we need.”
Iowa City’s Downtown District includes a large marketing budget to drive messaging promoting downtown, such as its district gift card program, retail retention and recruitment and grant programs for businesses and properties within the district, Potter said.
In Czech Village, Vernon said the SSMID tries to leverage its own funding with private dollars to maximize impact, such as with the “Mucha Meets Iowa” mural by Ali Hval, which overlooks Novak Plaza. That space at the entrance of Czech Village is being transformed with art and other amenities such as benches using SSMID funding and support from Mary Kay McGrath, who wanted to dedicate the space to her parents who were from the west side.
“It’s much more about what investment will drive more investment in our district?” Vernon said. “What can we do that will drive that attendance and thrive and attract people and keep them? What can we do to make a difference?”
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