Corridor Business Journal: Moline-based Heart of America Group plans to expand the AC Hotel by Marriott brand it first opened in Des Moines to Cedar Rapids as part of a historic renovation of the city’s Guaranty Bank building. The bank itself will become a Courtyard by Marriott and the AC Hotel will occupy adjacent property. The Cedar Rapids City Council has approved $13.6 million in incentives for the project. Work is expected to begin in October and last for two years. The combined projects are expected to bring about 200 additional hotel rooms to downtown Cedar Rapids, along with a Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse on the ground floor of the bank building, and a rooftop restaurant and bar called the Republic in the nine-story AC Hotel. The projects are required to have a minimum investment of $20.25 million and $30.55 million, respectively, and create a minimum of 25 full-time equivalent jobs each.