61-Acre Site in Southwest Iowa Recognized as Development-Ready for Future Business Investment
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 18, 2026) — The Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park in Clarinda has earned an Iowa Certified Site designation through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Certified Site program, marking an important milestone for the southwest Iowa community as it works to attract new business investment, jobs and long-term economic growth.
The 61-acre site, owned by the City of Clarinda, is located along the U.S. Highway 71 and Iowa Highway 2 bypass in Page County. The certification confirms that the property has completed key environmental, infrastructure and due diligence assessments designed to reduce development risk and shorten project timelines for companies evaluating expansion opportunities.
Clarinda Site Prepared for Industrial and Business Growth
Located in southwest Iowa, the Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park has benefited from local investment in critical infrastructure and site improvements, including:
- Road access
- Water service
- Sanitary sewer
- Storm sewer
- Site access improvements
- Development-ready due diligence
The Iowa Certified Site designation provides prospective companies and site selectors with confidence that the business park has been thoroughly evaluated and is prepared for future development.
“Site readiness can make all the difference when companies are evaluating locations for expansion,” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Clarinda has done the groundwork needed to compete for future business investment and quality jobs, adding to Iowa’s strong portfolio of certified sites.”
Community Leaders Celebrate Business Park Groundbreaking
Local officials and economic development leaders gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the business park and dedicate the site in honor of the Loudon family’s land donation.
“The Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park is a generous gift to Clarinda’s future — a bold investment that reflects the spirit of this community, builds excitement for new opportunities and creates lasting economic impact through business growth, job creation and long-term community prosperity,” said Amy McQueen, executive director of Clarinda Economic Development Corporation.
Iowa Certified Site Program Supports Competitive Site Selection
Since launching in 2012, the Iowa Certified Site program has become one of the most comprehensive site certification programs in the nation. The program has continued to evolve alongside industry standards and the needs of site selectors, helping Iowa communities better compete for business attraction and expansion projects.
Certified sites have become a critical factor in today’s competitive economic development landscape. Across Iowa, certified locations have helped attract more than $2.3 billion in capital investment.
Clarinda’s certification was supported through the Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative, a program created during the 2024 legislative session to help rural communities offset the costs of preparing industrial sites for certification and future development. Clarinda was among the first communities selected to participate in the initiative.
Third-Party Review Confirms Site Readiness
The Iowa Certified Site review process is overseen by Quest Site Solutions, a nationally recognized site selection firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. The rigorous third-party evaluation gives companies added confidence that certified properties have been vetted and are ready for investment.
To learn more about the Iowa Certified Site program and explore certified sites across the state, visit iowaeda.com/certifiedsites.
