Cedar Rapids Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids mayor goes to Korea to meet PMX chair

Cedar Rapids Mayor Paul Pate and his wife visited PMX/Poongsan Corp in South Korea Oct 8–11 at the invitation of PMX chairman Jin Roy Ryu. The trip, largely funded by PMX and local Korean governments, highlighted PMX employment gains while Vision Iowa awarded Cedar Bend project $5 million but its city funding needs remain debated. The Cedar Bend plan evolves from prior RiverRun and Destination SouthSide efforts, with concerns over a $6.4 million local cost increase and several million more in charitable contributions, amid council calls for public input and potential bonds or a reverse referendum. The police budget remains intact for presidential campaign security.