STOBG Cares: Data Center Team Fights Food Insecurity
Quality counts, in construction and in the community.
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the project team of Layton Construction, LF Driscoll, and the Weitz Company found an opportunity to support the local community in a more immediate way. As part of their work on a local data center project, the team partnered with project owner, QTS, and local organizations Meals from the Heartland and the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program to organize a food drive, helping address food insecurity in the surrounding area.
The effort brought together project teams, trade partners, and community members around a shared goal: providing meaningful support to families in need.
The project—a seven-building data center campus—represents a landmark investment in Iowa’s technology economy. At peak construction, the multiphase data center is expected to employ over 4,500 high-quality construction and permanent jobs, providing a boost to local employment and to Cedar Rapids’ growing role in the technology economy.
“This effort is driven by our people and their desire to serve in the community where we live and work,” said Blake Westbroek, Vice President of Operations at Layton Construction. “Ensuring thousands of meals are available to local families is exactly the kind of impact we want to have.”
“We are committed to being a part of the community in every sense,” said Andy Bates, director of operations at Weitz. “Fighting hunger is a mission-critical priority for us this month, and we want our impact to be felt long after the workday ends.”
Beyond the numbers, the initiative reflected deeper understanding that construction teams are part of the communities where they build. With teams on-site every day, there is a unique opportunity to engage locally and make a positive impact while projects are underway.
The success of the Cedar Rapids food drive highlights how small, coordinated efforts can create meaningful outcomes. When teams come together with a shared purpose, even a short-term initiative can leave a lasting impression.
